Meet Jennifer Perry | Teacher, Business Owner, Collaborator

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

Hi Jennifer, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Our first inkling towards starting a small business was when we realized that the corporate world was not for us. We didn’t want to take part in something that encouraged people to work for the majority of their lives. We are strong believers that we are here to experience the world: not just make a paycheck. We wanted to start our own ventures when we realized we were just a number or statistic to some other faceless higher-up. We value our family time, work-life balance, and connection. So, we decided to venture into the metal business. Eric already knew metal (he’s a jack-of-all trades, really), and Jenn knew people. Eric was tired of the daily grind and we both knew our priorities lay outside of the 9-5. Thus, Eric dove into metal creation. He is an artist. He has ample inspiration from the Colorado lifestyle we (try) to live, and puts every ounce of his being into these creations. Jenn added to the business with planning and forethought. We always had a knack for organization, but my true specialty is found in collaboration and helping others become who they want and create new pieces. Together, we have created a business that thrives on input, customer satisfaction, and bringing metal into unique places.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Eric has always been a maker of sorts: he can fix or create anything he sets his mind to. Jenn has always leaned into her creative side: painting and ‘coding people’ has always been something she has done well. We truly thrive on the discussion that comes with creating a piece that is perfect for a specific place, but we also venture out into what we like to create. We focus on Colorado-inspired metal art and focus on unique experiences with clients.

Things have absolutely not been easy! We’ve had long conversations about work/life balance and how we create that when your home and work are the same environment. We’ve combatted this by setting a specific schedule that mimics a work week. Of course, we have more flexibility, but during the busy season, we must make sure we are not working until midnight. Self-care is a top priority, and we would not be where we are without communication. Our strengths and areas of opportunity truly complement one-another: one of us may say rest, while the other says keep working, but we always listen to the opposite view. That has helped us see unique ways to problem-solve and make sure that we remember the end-goal: schedule and financial freedom.

The lessons we’ve learned are countless, but here are the most important:
Patience with oneself.
New skills take time, and that’s ok!
Be gentle with yourself: embrace the learning opportunities as such and remember you are only human.
Ask for help when needed. If you think you need help, it’s probably past the time of needing help.

We want the world to know that your job does not have to be tied to a corporate machine, and that people are more willing to support you than you may think. We’ve had support not only from family, but also from fellow creatives trying to make the world more beautiful and simple.

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.
We would start near home in Littleton. We would go to Los Dos Portillos for lunch and get the molcajete and a side of crispy chile rellonos.  We would then venture to the mountains. We’d find an AirBnB in walking distance of Winter Park main street. We would hit the shopping center one day, eat at Deno’s, and finish at Idelwild. The next day, we would hit the tubing hill at Fraser (just in case they don’t want to ski/snowboard). After that physically taxing day, we would grab a beer at  Big Trout Brewing. We could eat there or at Paellas, whichever we fancy at the time.. On the last Day in Winter Park, we would pack up and travel down to Indian Hot Springs to experience one of our great, natural springs. We would have two more days which would spend in Denver. We would shop at any makers markets available, visit Balestrieri Vineyard, eat at Robert’s Italian Deli when we’re near home, and possibly go to Stanley Market place if we have time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Our families are the reason we believe in what we do and are able to create what we create. Eric’s true inspiration was from his father: the OG metal worker in the family. Eric’s father, Jim Perry, taught Eric about the resilience and forgiveness that metal has: with just the right touch, metal can always be beautiful.

Jenn’s mom, Julie Paige, has inspired her to never give up- even of the toughest of times. It may seem cliche, but this woman was a force to be reckoned with and did not take ‘no’ for an answer.

Tim and Cynthia Phillips have been there as we have navigated the ‘show’ side of things. They have helped us with kids and a lending ear whenever asked.

Laura and Gary Danforth have always believed that we can do anything we set our minds to. For that, we are always grateful.

Kevin Phillips, Jenn’s brother, has always cheered us both on. He has been with us to help during shows and support in business-minded endeavors (since neither of us actually have a business background).

Countless friends have encouraged us, given us ideas, and simply been there when we needed them along the way. To name a few: Kayla & Ray Kerzner, Jenny & Pat White, Hilary & Scott Westerkamp, Sean & Jenny Veltman, and Zach Shipp including many neighbors and community members.

We truly could not take this on without the lines of people behind us who are rooting, guiding, and sometimes there to pick up the pieces when something has gone awry.

Website: www.steeltheory.us

Instagram: www.instagram.com/steeltheoryus

Facebook: www.facebook.com/steeltheoryus

Other: We are also working on a tik tok channel!

Image Credits
Our family photo was taken by my aunt, Colleen Mead.