Meet Amberly Leland | Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amberly Leland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amberly, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My desire with our small business was to bring awareness to my son’s rare disease, LAMA-2. Which then turned into so much more.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a small business, we want to bring awareness, educate, and promote inclusion. Having a child with a disability brings many challenges. As a family, we have endured a lot of heartaches but we have always tried to stay positive and work hard to see the positive in every situation. Before starting RAK, I felt like I had lost a part of myself. I needed to find purpose beyond being a mom and wife. But my biggest desire is that I want people to see Kayden for the child that he is. That his disease does not define him. I want others to his ability and not just his disability. We want to spread the message that kindness matters.

I am most proud of the difference we have been able to make in the lives of others. Since starting our online business in January of 2021 we have been able to help a family pay a portion of their medical bills, and donated to OurCalling in Dallas, CURE SMA, CURE CMD, and JDRF.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a foodie! Hands down, my favorite restaurant is Cris and John. It is a must when visiting the Dallas area. Next would be Pecan Lodge, and order The “Hot Mess.” Everyone must experience the Fort Worth Stockyard, Canton Trade Days, and the Dallas Farmers Market.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
RAK Apparel Company would not be where it is today if it were not for the two most amazing guys in my life. My husband and son. My husband, Ryan, has supported me in this endeavor. I feel he wants to see me succeed just as much, if not more than I do. He’s my brainstorming partner, financial advisor, and best friend. This business has created a unique bond between us, and I am forever grateful for it. My son Kayden is the reason this business even started. I knew his story would touch lives, I just never knew that it would be in this way. Seeing customers wearing an item we created is like seeing a piece of Kayden. I know that there may come a day when Kayden is no longer with us physically, but I find joy in knowing that we created a legacy for him with RAK that will last forever.

Website: www.rakapparelcompany.com

Instagram: rak_apparelco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rakapparelco