Meet Robyn Premo | Artist

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

Hi Robyn, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
I started Holly & Honey because of my daughter. I had a few weeks left in my maternity leave and I wanted to spend the time doing something creative. It was going to be Holly’s first Christmas, so I set out to make her a unique and one of a kind gift – a set of Princess inspired wood dolls. I figured while I was at it, I would make a set for my 2 year old niece too. Then I decided, if I was going to go through all of the work to make 2 sets of dolls, I would just make 5 sets, put the extra 3 sets on Etsy and see what happened. I sold out of several dolls that first day and it felt like a sign that this was the right thing to do. Here I am, 4 months later, and I was able to leave my job at the start of this year to be a full time, stay at home mom. Holly & Honey gave me the freedom to be home with Holly and not send her to daycare. That is truly a gift to both of us.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I pride Holly & Honey on being playable art! I find that my dolls appeal to a wide audience. They can be enjoyed by children as an open ended toy to spark imaginative play. But they can also be enjoyed by adults who appreciate the level of detail I put into each design. Creating something that can reach so many people is incredibly rewarding. Additionally, all of my work is heirloom quality, which means they can be passed down and cherished for generations. It is pretty cool to think I am making something that someone’s great great grandchild will treasure someday. Getting to the place where I was painting professionally was easier and harder than I thought it would be. Thanks to social media it has been pretty easy to get my work out there and the start up costs were minimal. The challenge was overcoming my own insecurities. I was really unsure of what people the people I knew would say when they found out what I was doing. Heck, I didn’t even tell my mom husband right away and he has always been incredibly supportive of whatever I do! I am still working on speaking about my business with confidence when I am talking to someone face to face, but I think lots of people can resonate with that.

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.
Growing up in Denver, it is wild to see how much the city has changed over the past few years. The area has gone from being a pit stop on the way to the mountains to being a foodie Mecca. If you are visiting for the weekend I would start by telling you to pack your stretchy pants. The Stanley Marketplace and the Denver Milk Market offer a great mixture of Denver history and amazing local food. Do yourself a favor and have a nomadic meal at the Milk Market. Start with one appetizers at one location, a main at another, and a side from somewhere else. The bourbon apple cider at Lou’s at is not to be missed! My personal favorite happy hour is Billy’s Inn and you could probably find me there just about every Friday afternoon – trust me, get the deviled eggs. For a quick morning bite, venture to Westminster and get a breakfast burrito from Big Mama’s, It may be a hole in the wall kind of place but I have never been disappointed. If something more elegant is in order, the afternoon tea service at Babe’s Tea Room is divine and a lot more approachable than the Brown Palace. To walk off the calories I can never recommend the Denver Zoo enough! It is beautiful and there are always animals to be seen. Plus what other zoo lets you walk around with local craft brews?

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My lifelong best friend, Madelyn Hadel. We grew up across the street from each other and have spent our whole lives “making things.” She is a bad-ass boss babe and has ran her own businesses forever! I have always looked up to her, and honestly envied the way she did her own thing. When I floated the idea to her over a picnic one day, she was so encouraging that I felt like I could jump off this crazy cliff into a whole new life for myself. She has been my biggest cheerleader along the way and I tell her constantly that she should be a professional business coach! We have some big dreams and plans for things we are going to do together and I would not be in the place I am with Holly & Honey, if it weren’t for her.

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HollyandHoneyShop

Instagram: @holly.and.honey

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holly.and.honey

Image Credits
The photo of the three children belong to Ginny from @making.main.street