Meet Cheyenne Rowell | CEM Chief Executive Mom

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

Hi Cheyenne, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting Rowell Ranch wasn’t about launching a business in the traditional sense. It grew out of a lifelong habit of saying yes when animals needed help. Our thought process was rooted in compassion first, not commerce. Over time, as more animals found their way to us and the impact of our work grew, it became clear that what began as a personal passion needed structure in order to be sustainable and responsible.
We wanted to create something that honored the animals by giving them lifelong care, while also serving the community through education and support programs like our Pet Food Assistance Program. Making Rowell Ranch an official nonprofit allowed our family’s shared effort to grow into a lasting organization that could help more animals, support more people, and invite the community to be part of that mission.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As the CEM – Chief Executive Mom, of Rowell Ranch my current work is managing the ranch. Doing chores, setting up our events and fundraising opportunities, managing the volunteers, and of course taking care of the animals. But, my background is actually construction management as a project manager. I did that for over 20 years, even when our kids were young, and still sometimes take contract jobs. One thing I always say is if you are a project manager you can manage any project. It could be building a hotel, throwing a party, or running a farm. The same steps apply just different mediums.
The biggest challenge with my current role is that I didn’t know much about most of the animals here. I had some knowledge of goats but that is where it stopped. So as new animals were added to the family I had to do research! Knowing what they needed to be healthy and happy is most important. Our poor vet, he still gets bombarded with questions when he comes. I really enjoy learning more about them and sharing all that I learn to anyone who wants to listen. I feel like we are so disconnected from farm animals that many people don’t see them for the amazing beings that they are. Here at Rowell Ranch we want people to come learn and experience what it’s like to be with them everyday.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh this is a wonderful question! I LOVE to explore and love it when other people want to too!
The first thing I would do is take them to my friend’s restaurant for lunch, Mingle & Graze in downtown chandler. You can’t start any trip with an empty stomach. Then we would go on a drive up Camelback so they can see the valley and I can explain to them that the main road system is a grid, just incase they get lost, lol. I love to go to art museums when I travel so I would take them to Phoenix Art Museum and walk around downtown. Hopefully we are downtown on a First Friday because then we can head there too!
If we had time, we would go to Sedona, and take a train to the Grand Canyon. I would also plan a picnic lunch and hike at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Other than that we would “play it by ear” to decide where to eat and hang out, and make sure that part of that hang out time is in our backyard at Rowell Ranch.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I was a a kid I had a bumper sticker on my binder that said, “Think Globally, Act Locally” and I feel like it really has shaped a lot of the choices I make and became an anchor for me when I am deciding what steps I want to take. What is the bigger picture, and how can I work towards that within my circle of influence? When I think about the people who have helped me along the way they are usually people who stand out as pillars in their local community.
One person who stands out is my grandmother-n-law, Nonie. She was not a politician, she did not have fam or fortune, but she helped where she could in her community. If she had something you needed, it was yours. It could be a simple snack or a lending ear. When she passed away, not just the inside of the church was full, but the parking lot was too, and I remember thinking, that is how you make a difference in the world. You do what you can to help others no matter how big or small. She was an important person in my husbands life and you can see her shine through him, along with all the lessons that he has learned throughout life, he has now taken on the responsibility to be that person who gives what they can, when they can. He has been my supporter through all my crazy ideas, and helped us raise our kids to lead by example. If it wasn’t for his support and understanding, we would not have Rowell Ranch.

Website: https://rowellranch.org

Instagram: _r_ranch

Facebook: /LifeAtRRanch

Other: I made this Ranch focused but I also have 2 other businesses if you are ever interested: Simply Cheyenne and The Cake Cart 🙂