Meet Valerie Kinyon | Embroiderer & Designer

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

Hi Valerie, how do you think about risk?
For me, risk is at the core of every meaningful journey. It’s always been about trusting my gut — jumping in, getting messy, and figuring it out along the way. The key is simple: start before you’re ready. Too many great ideas stay stuck because people wait for the perfect moment. I’ve built my life and business by refusing to let fear or details hold me back. Growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone — it happens when you bet on yourself, even when the path ahead is still taking shape.

Starting my business meant believing in myself enough to just begin. I didn’t have it all figured out — just a dream and a deep belief that I could make it work. I invested in an embroidery machine, yarn, blank inventory — everything I needed to get started — without knowing exactly how it would all unfold. It was a leap of faith, but I trusted that if I poured my heart into it, I could figure the rest out along the way. Taking that risk was scary, but it taught me that sometimes you have to bet on yourself before everything makes perfect sense.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What really sets me apart is the heart behind everything I create. My business, Wildora, is built around thoughtful, meaningful pieces that blend machine embroidery, hand embroidery, and a love for good design. I create my own collections of embroidered clothing and accessories — everything from cozy, one-of-a-kind sweatshirts to detailed hand-stitched pieces that you truly won’t find anywhere else. I also work with businesses on branding projects, creating custom embroidered merchandise and logos.

Getting to where I am today wasn’t exactly smooth or easy and growing pains, although, positive, have been my biggest challenge. As demand picked up, it pushed me to level up every part of my process — including learning how to use a 16-needle embroidery machine. There were definitely moments of frustration and a steep learning curve, but it was also exciting to see what was possible. Keeping up with orders while still holding onto the quality and attention to detail that Wildora is known for hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been such a rewarding part of the journey. Every challenge has helped me grow as a business owner and an artist.

Every piece is made with so much care, and my hope is that when someone wears or gifts a piece from Wildora, they feel that love stitched right into it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting, we’d make sure to hit all the best Colorado spots — Frederick is a small town, but there’s so much to explore around here! We’d kick things off with lunch and shopping on 5th Street — it’s even better if there’s a town event happening because the whole place comes alive. We’d stop by Flour + Flower for flowers, local artisan goods (including Wildora!), and maybe a sweet treat from The Sweet Stop.

After that, we’d take advantage of the parks around town with a bike ride before heading into Denver. We’d spend a day at the Denver Zoo and then do some local shopping — especially at Three Arrows Gallery, where you can find Wildora pieces along with work from over 60 local, women-owned businesses.

Later in the week, we’d head up to the mountains to ski, soak in the views, and hopefully catch a concert at Red Rocks. We’d also visit my family in Eagle and slow down a bit. It would be the perfect mix of small-town charm, city energy, and mountain adventure — all my favorite parts of Colorado.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have so many people to thank who have played a huge role in my journey. First and foremost, my husband, who works so hard and gives me the extra time and space to pour into my passion — his support means more than I can put into words. My kids are a constant source of inspiration (and the sweetest little models I could ever ask for). I’m incredibly grateful for my friends, who have been some of my biggest cheerleaders — promoting my work, showing up for me, and even modeling alongside their kids to help bring my vision to life. I’m also so thankful for the creative community here in Frederick/Firestone, whose encouragement and energy always keep me going.

My family — especially my mom and sister — have been incredible, always there to listen, offer advice, and hype me up through every idea (and every one of my endless texts). And I’m so grateful for my amazing customers — their excitement, loyalty, and feedback have breathed so much life into this dream. Every kind word, every share, and every order truly means more to me than I can ever fully express.

Website: https://shopwildora.com

Instagram: @_wildora

Facebook: @wildora

Image Credits
Jessica Del Photography