Third Generation Family Business

By: Ashley Gaspard Rupple

July 27, 2021

I am very proud to be the third generation in the Gaspard family business. My father, Jason Gaspard, is currently the President and my grandfather, Robert Gaspard, was the founder in 1954. Unfortunately, I never met my grandfather as he passed away just before I was born. I grew up hearing stories and memories of my grandfather from my grandmother and family about how great of a man he was and how dedicated he was to his business. He was a stern, but loving man who instilled great values onto his family which lead over into his business. Values which continue here today and that I teach to my daughter as well.

I have officially worked at Gaspard for 12 years, but a look down memory lane gives me almost 20 years of experience! Ever since I can remember I have been helping out with small tasks such as stamping order forms, sealing envelopes, and stapling fabric sample packets. This was really my “first job” at the age of 5! As I got older I was “promoted” to cutting fabric samples and typing out addresses on the typewriter! As a kid I would spend my summer days at Gaspard doing odd tasks here and there. A fond memory I have is that I absolutely LOVED the supply cabinet, unbeknownst to my father I would sneak highlighters and post-it notes to create little sayings to hang all over the building. A trait I have now passed on to my daughter, Kandice, who loves nothing more than creating crafts and sewing little pillows as she spends her summer time here.

In the early 2000s Gaspard upgraded their technology from hand-embroidery to embroidery machines. As a young teen my brother and I thought this was the coolest thing to exist! My dad would create funny custom shirts for us on the embroidery machines that we would show off at school the next day. He once made me a pink shirt with a butterfly covering the back that I still have to this day! It’s so amazing to see that small department go from a few ladies hand embroidering items to what it is today. With the abilities and advances of technology it allows us to create truly custom items to accommodate any church across the world.

Once I was old enough to have an actual job I worked at the Gaspard Giving Tree as a retail clerk. It grew into a popular Christian gift store in the Milwaukee area and I ended up managing the store for almost 7 years. I would also help out now and again on the production floor, slowly training to become the production manager one day. Working in The Giving Tree, I learned many great skills about managing and working with customers. Unfortunately in 2017 we had to close The Giving Tree and I moved to working as the assistant production manager. Recently, we have been lucky enough to be able to re-open The Giving Tree in downtown Oconomowoc, WI!

In 2019 I was promoted to production manager! I have spent all my life around this business and I know it like the back of my hand. As time goes on I see employees come and go, but not before I form a friendship with all the people who have worked at Gaspard. I have made life-long bonds and friendships with the people here and I feel so blessed to be a part of such an amazing family. My daughter, Kandice, has found a love for sewing and creating while spending her younger years here. I only hope she falls in love with this place just as I did when I was her age.

My favorite part of working at Gaspard is seeing how these items come to life. From starting as a roll of fabric to becoming a beautiful garment that will be worn and cherished for years to come truly brings me joy and love for this business. It is my hope you find as much quality from our products as I do and at Gaspard we always strive to give our customers truly handcrafted, custom, quality items you can’t find anywhere else. Finally, I would like to thank all of our loyal and new customers for helping us through 2020 and to my wonderful production team for being the backbone of Gaspard during the hardest year we’ve experienced.