Meet Irene Uy | Artist & Entrepreneur

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

Hi Irene, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Over time, my approach to work-life balance has evolved significantly. When I first established the business, I was highly focused on learning the ins and outs of this industry, making sure I don’t fail and often prioritizing work over family time. While that drive helped me lay down a strong foundation, I eventually realized that sustainable success comes from maintaining both professional productivity and personal well-being.

As time passed, I became more flexible with how I view work-life balance. I strive to be fully present while running the business, but also started setting boundaries that allow time for family and personal growth. I’ve learned that maintaining balance not only prevents burnout but also enhances creativity, focus, and long-term performance.

I’ve learned to evaluate and adjust my workload, making sure that whatever aspect I do, I give my 100%. As a workaholic I constantly remind myself that balance is not about doing everything equally, but about being intentional with how I allocate my energy and time.

What should our readers know about your business?
SJ Letter Co specializes in creating custom event signage that delivers elegance, personality, and intentional design to weddings and special occasions. What sets my business apart is my commitment to craftsmanship and storytelling — every piece I create is meant to reflect the couple’s or client’s unique style and make a lasting visual impression on their big day.
I’m incredibly proud of how far my business has come, especially knowing it was built from scratch with nothing but passion, and a desire to serve clients in a deeply personal way. I started SJ Letter Co out of a love for lettering and design, and it’s grown into a full-fledged business that now serves clients across the country. What excites me most is seeing my work become a meaningful part of people’s most important milestones. It certainly wasn’t easy, because I did not come from this field, the pressure to succeed was immense.
Like many small business owners, I also faced challenges like finding my niche, learning the ins and outs of the industry, juggling not just the creative aspect of the business but also the admin side of it. Every now and then I would experience self doubt, moments of burnout and hard lessons learned through trial and error. Through persistence and determination I focused on my “why” which is to help couples/clients create lasting impressions of their big day. I always consider it an honor when a client chooses me to be part of their big day, no matter how big or small my part is.
If there’s one thing I want the world to know about SJ Letter Co is that I built this brand and business with my whole heart. Every piece that I design, handwrite, print, every stroke, every color is all made with love, attention to detail and care because a couple’s moments, a client’s celebration, every story deserves to be told in a beautiful way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For a week long trip I would definitely take my best friend to the mountains. My favorite place is Breckenridge. It’s my go to place to destress, take time off from work, breathe in and be surrounded by nature. There’s so many things to do at Breck!
A quick rough itinerary would include:
Day 1 – strolling and shopping up and down Main Street, walk along the Blue River trail and grab a bite at Ollie’s. Visit Isak Heartstone
Day 2- Hiking up McCullough Gulch Trail. The views up there is just simply breathtaking! Head back to Main street for the best burgers at Empire Burger
Day 3 -Side trip to Vail. We’ll go check Vail Village, walk the pedestrian village, snap photos by the Covered Bridge, do some shopping, take the bus to the Lion’s Head village and walk the shops some more and see the slopes where the gondolas are as well.
Day 4 – Take the Gondola to Peak 8, hike Sawmill Reservoir Trail, check out Grand Colorado at Peak 8 and Grand Lodge at Peak 7. Grab a bite at Robbie’s Tavern, check out Ullr, have coffee at Ullr Cafe while overlooking mountain views
Day 5 – Explore more of hidden gems like a tour of the mine, Breckenridge Distillery. If it’s winter time definitely book at sleigh ride, if it’s summer time definitely do some stargazing at night
Day 6 – vist the next town – Frisco, Dillon Reservoir, if it’s the summer will also include paddle boarding
Day 7 – head back. Grab some early morning coffee at Cup of Joe’s they have the best coffee in town and their homemade syrups and seasonal coffees are the best! I make sure to stop by and grab a couple of bags of their freshly roasted coffee beans. Last minute stroll around Main street and grab lunch from Fatty’s. Love their clam pizza!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Huge shoutout to Christina Sorenson of Ciao Bella Wedding & Planning. Christina gave me my first break and guided me as I was navigating the wedding industry. Her generosity in sharing insights and bringing me along her shoots and events really made a difference in helping me understand the ins and outs of this industry. Christina’s creativity and passion also served as an inspiration for me especially when I was starting out. I learned so much from her and I’m incredibly grateful for her trust and support.

Website: https://www.sjletterco.com

Instagram: @sjletterco