Charley’s Navajo Rugs started 7 years ago as a kind of happy accident. While Charley always loved Native American art and its connection to the Old West, it was never his plan to make a business out of it. He has owned a successful CPA firm in small-town California for over 30 years, and he still considers that his “day” job. But this is only one part of Charley’s history: before he ever entered the accounting world, he was a bareback rider in the rodeo.
Charley as Rodeo Rider
“I always loved the West,” says Charley, “It held a lot of attraction for me from a young age, and I loved watching Western movies. That led me to the rodeo—and I had a lot of fun doing that.” But once he had to hang up his rigging, he started looking for other ways to immerse himself in that historical period, and he fell in love with the beauty and history of Navajo rugs.
After learning about and purchasing many Navajo rugs as a hobby, he realized that he could share his knowledge and collection with a larger audience by opening a business. He was excited to start Charley’s Navajo Rugs as an online retail store, which allows him to sell his rugs at very reasonable prices compared to a brick-and-mortar retailer.
He currently sells authentic Navajo rugs worldwide, and he is constantly on the hunt for rare, high-quality rugs to add to his collection. He travels throughout the western United States every year, making new friends, catching up with old ones, and continuing his education on these unique pieces of art.
“We cater to the true collector and Native American art afficianado,” says Charley, “But we also increasingly see customers who are just drawn in by the beauty of the rugs themselves.” The current trend toward pared-down, modern décor that emphasizes high-quality natural materials is a perfect fit with the flat-woven, colorful wool rugs that CNR specializes in.
So happy anniversary to Charley’s Navajo Rugs! Here’s to another fantastic 7 years.
