In just one year Christine Vaughn has (unintentionally) catapulted her company, Wicked Women Choppers, into the media spotlight. It might have something to do with her being one of the first women to design her own bikes and sell from her now famous chopper company. Then again, HH knows that it is she, along with a female crew, who are truly successful bike-builders making motorcycle history. We caught up with Christine to chat about her whirlwind year.

 HH: How does it feel to know that you are making (motorcycle) history with the success of WWC, and now   the "Iron Angels" pilot? 

CV: Motorcycle history... that's deep.  I honestly never thought about it that way. Me making history... I am a little overwhelmed with that thought.  Women have always been a part of this industry - they made the history - I just want to make them proud. Women not only can build bikes they can build awesome, head turning, love-to-ride, kind of bikes. That is the kind of history I would love to make. To have women within the motorcycle industry is more commonplace and excepted - maybe even considered competitors would be a bonus. 

The TV show: It will not portray a female version Jesse James or Indian Larry.  I think I am skilled and have knowledge in the arena... I am also still a small company and I don't have the years of experience under my belt that these talents have. I hope the TV show will portray the struggles, the learning, and the determination that we all have to succeed in this. While I would rather it not show my failures, mistakes, and less than lady like behavior at times - that is part of the package. 

I am not trying to pretend or imitate anyone in doing this TV thing. My emotions ran the gamete. My temper flared at times.  My frustration mounted.  I worried that there would be comparisons... in the end I figure it was a stressful, trying, tense situation and that was just me coping with very unfamiliar situations (the cameras). 

Also, the first TV bike was the Breast Cancer Awareness Bike - tons of emotions went with that alone. This was a tough build for all of us. I didn't worry so much about making a fool of myself (I do that daily), as much as I worried about making a fool of women in this industry. There is a certain amount of added pressure when you are leaping into the unknown and not only trying to establish a place for yourself, but also representing other women in what is widely considered a man's arena.

HH: Now that WWC has a year under its belt, do you have a legion of female mechanic fans?

CV: I have a lot of women (and men) that write or call to lend their support.  I honestly thought I was going to be laughed out of this business before I even began so to be here a year later and getting support and encouragement is awesome. I get several resumes a month from women (and again men too) all over the country that would like to come work for WWC in one form or another.  Some want to be mechanic and builders. Some just want to be a part of this new venture. Women are sometimes over looked and disregarded as competent, skilled, talented, and true assets to any bike shop. While the doors are opening - they are opening too slowly. Even at WWC gender is an issue...  it's all about the women power here and empowering women. 

Don't get me wrong, I am in no way anti- man. My husband and son have been a true asset and support for me with WWC. This business would have never had possibility without the help and talent of my husband. We also have other men that work with us. We just want WWC to be about opening doors to women that want to step outside the box and follow their own path. The motorcycle industry is still a very male dominated industry. I have found that the industry as a whole is ready and willing to encourage women to play a more active role. You just have to get that first foot in the door... that sometimes is the hardest part.

HH: What advice would you give female wanna-be mechanics, fabricators, welders, etc.?

CV: Whether you are a mechanic, welder, fabricator, or all of the above you are going into a male dominated profession. Just the fact that you are a women is going to have all eyes watching your work and testing your knowledge. Know your stuff. Prove yourself and stand out from the rest. You are not only making a place for yourself, but for those that want to follow in your footsteps. You could be the one to inspire and open the doors for others.

While I just gave that advice that is the part I have trouble with. I am burned out on being "tested" by others as to my knowledge  of motorcycles. I know what I know and if I don't I will sure as hell learn it. It's a real pain to constantly have to prove yourself and feel you are judged more critically just because you are a women. The joy comes when you stand at the back of a crowd who is looking at the bike you built and hear a guy say "I hate to admit it, but that is a damn fine bike". Respect is the ultimate reward.

I don't pretend I know more than I do. I am far from an expert or have endless knowledge of everything motorcycle related. I ask for help. I get advice. Sometimes I even come off as a real dingbat. At the end of the day I know more than I did going in and that is always the goal regardless of profession. If the doors don't open for you - build your own door.
 

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