Meet Renee Jones | Owner/Artist of Rey Creative Company

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

Hi Renee, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My husband and I were talking one day about our future, and it made me realize that if we were going to have kids one day, I didn’t want to be working full time, but I also didn’t want to be “just” a stay-at-home mom. I started working on my business this year in order to set myself up for the future, so that I can do this as a job once we have a family, or hopefully maybe even before then.

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.
Oh man, I have dabbled in so many types of art since I was little! I started drawing as soon as I could hold a pencil, and art/creativity has always been an outlet for me. I currently sell stickers and tie-dye shirts, but my store changes as I learn new techniques and new forms of art! I think that is what sets my store apart, there is always something new in there. I first started selling my creations when I was in high school and had just learned how to make jewelry. I opened my store with earrings and bracelets, as well as custom-painted sneakers and several items I had sewn. This continued for a few years and I sold only a few pieces, but I enjoyed making them. Through college and the few years after, I didn’t do anything with my store – until 2020 rolled around and I started sewing face-masks for myself (the store bought ones never fit quite right). When my friends and co-workers saw them and loved them, I realized I should be selling masks in addition to making them for myself, so that’s what I did. At the end of 2020 is when I decided to get serious about my store and started putting effort into learning about marketing and sales.
The biggest lessons I have learned are that 1. you are your own worst critic – the items I send out are not always perfect, which worried me, but my buyers are purchasing handmade items for a reason, and the little imperfections that seem obvious to me are not even noticed by my buyers. 2. It’s only worth it as long as you enjoy it – although you will never enjoy 100% of the things involved with running your own business (like budgeting or printing shipping labels), as long as you enjoy creating the things you create and are excited about new ideas, you will be successful.

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.
I love animals and I used to work at the Denver Zoo, so I would definitely take a visitor there and do one of the behind-the-scenes animal tours. I also love Silverthorne/Dillon for a long weekend stay-cation, especially the Dillon lake area. Most of my time living in CO has been in Fort Collins – my favorite spots to eat there are Otto Pint – amazing pizza and a great happy hour – and Yampa sandwich company (formerly Backcountry Deli). I’m a sucker for sour beers, so I love to go to New Belgium and Purpose Brewing. Crooked Stave also has great sour beer but is on the pricier side.
Closer to Denver, I love visiting the Stem Cider Acreage location, they have great cider (of course), great food, and an even better view of the front range. My friends and I also love the Pour Tap House, northeast of Denver. For food, I enjoy Elevate in Westminster, and my absolute favorite is Cinzetti’s – we go there every year for my birthday.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents have always encouraged me to do what makes me happy, whether it be in work, hobbies, love, etc. My life and career currently is very different from what my plans were when I graduated high school, but their support has never wavered and they always have my back.

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