Prescott Woman Magazine interviewed Carmen Hines, owner of C&C Cyclery (along with her husband Casey) and member of the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce. We learned about how much she values ensuring people have access to transportation.
PWM: For how long have you been a member of the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce?
Carmen: I have been a member of the PV Chamber for eight months now.
PWM: Tell us about what brought you to the Prescott Valley area and the role you’re in as far as employment.
Carmen: We believe in the community of Prescott Valley and thought we could do more here than in another city. Small businesses and businesses owned by women are valued in Prescott Valley.
We believe in Mayor Kell’s vision and the vision of the Town Council to make Prescott Valley a more outdoor-friendly place to live. The Wheelhouse BMX track is also important as we support all styles and levels of riding.
PWM: What about the Prescott Valley Chamber is different from other organizations in the area, and what do you personally enjoy best about being part of it?
Carmen: The Prescott Valley Chamber is not only extremely fun because of its amazing staff, but that staff also cares about their local small businesses. The chamber will invest in the business owners that invest in the chamber and themselves. The leadership is second to none. They will show up and help in any way possible. The chamber has so many opportunities to network with other small business owners and the public such as participating in ribbon cuttings, the Flying High Turkey Drive, Annual Awards, Veterans Day Luncheon, Sip and Shmooze, Alive After Five and so much more. I was a member of another chamber in Texas that was not fun, and it was hard to sit through the meetings. That is never the case with this lively group, and I appreciate that a great deal.
PWM: Do you serve in any additional roles within the Chamber?
Carmen: I became an ambassador almost immediately. I recommend it to anyone who joins the Prescott Valley Chamber.
PWM: Do you have family here? Children? Other activities in which you participate?
Carmen: I have a 24-year-old daughter in California, a 32-year-old daughter, a 23-year-old stepson, and a 13-year-old grandson in Texas.
Outside of our bike shop and community work, I enjoy my outside time. My husband and I love to ride gravel and mountain bikes, kayak, and hike together. We also enjoy spending time with family and friends and our two dogs, Rogue and Charli.
PWM: How are you involved in the community?
Carmen: We collect used bikes from community members, refurbish them, and donate them to those in need of transportation. We have donated bikes to the Boys and Girls Club, Yavapai Reentry, Granite Mountain, Miracle Recovery, and random individuals in need. I am working on adding in veterans, children of incarcerated parents, and underprivileged adults and kids.
I was able to secure a donation from Subaru that will help up to 20 youth enrolled in the Prescott Valley Boys and Girls Club receive a bike for Christmas. Four out of five of the kids in the Boys and Girls Club are on government assistance. These bikes are not only a luxury item but also transportation to school and after-school programs.
I am a Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization stakeholder for the proposed pedestrian/bicycle trail. I am passionate about having a safer way for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair-bound, and community members who utilize other modes of transportation to get to various destinations.
This is important to reduce the traffic on our roads and keep the public active and safe while also giving more of the community independence.
PWM: What else do you want to add that people might not know about you or what you do/offer?
Carmen: I lost my beloved brother Kirt to addiction at the age of 50. This is what started me thinking about how difficult it is for those in recovery and reentry to get a job and start over. My brother had us to help him along the way but there are so many that have no one. The majority are released back into society with nothing. This includes no driver’s license and no transportation. They are expected to secure lodging, food, transportation, and employment. In most cases, they qualify only for minimum-wage positions. I feel we can change lives and help facilitate a better outcome simply by providing basic needs such as transportation.
I am working on my 501C3 to become a nonprofit so I can apply for grants and help more people.
We also give back by applying discounts for veterans, Bike Prescott, the high school teams, Wheelhouse BMX, and PMBA.
Learn more at https://candccyclery.com.