Meet Susan Rahmsdorff-Terry | Lampshade Maker and small business owner.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susan Rahmsdorff-Terry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susan, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Balance is more like juggling- in addition to running the business and completing most of the work myself, I’m also an active costume designer for several theatres in the Denver area and manage the bar at Vintage Theatre in Aurora. On top of all that, I have a two and a half year old kiddo who I spend as much time with as possible. I have a lot of control over my schedule, which helps keep the right balls in the air, but things still get dropped from Time to time.

I’ve just passed my one year anniversary with the shop and my ability to schedule and plan has improved dramatically. I use calendars and lots of notes to plan ahead and actively schedule downtime to rest physically and mentally. It’s much easier to take a rest when I know exactly what’s on my schedule for the next day, even if I know that priorities can change in an instant- lampshade emergencies really do happen, someone gets sick, or a costume is damaged and needs quick repairs.

One last thing that helps with balance- my cell phone is not my work phone- I still use a landline! I will answer some emails, which do come to my phone, but keeping business to when I’m actually in the shop prevents me from getting overwhelmed and becoming unproductive.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Lili Marlene Lampshades was started over 30 years ago when the original owner fell in love with beautiful shades on a trip to Germany and managed to find someone to teach her the skills when she got home. I am a mostly self-taught costumer who lost my creative outlet during the Covid shutdown and managed to meet the owner at just the right time- she wanted to retire, and I wanted to do something new. I learned a lot during her few months of training, but have mostly had to teach myself new skills as they come up over the last year(I’m currently learning how to make rawhide shades). Costuming taught me never to be afraid of failing and that mindset has allowed me to acquire many new skills simply because failure is not the worst thing that could happen.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Chances are high that I have a show running, so they will probably see a show at Vintage Theatre, Benchmark Theatre, Performance Now or Cherry Creek Theatre. Dinner would ideally be at the Bull and Bush for prime rib and great beer, or North County in Lowry for Baja Mexican food and glorious margaritas.

Unfortunately a lot of my favorite spots closed during the pandemic and being a new parent, I haven’t had time to find new ones.

I also love high tea (Babes Tea Room is my favorite though Brown Palace is great for out of town visitors) and drinks at My Brothers Bar.

The outdoors hate me so I have no recommendations for hikes or skiing…

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My partner Luke, who is on this crazy journey of being working parents with me.

Website: Lilimarlenelampshades.com

Image Credits
Lili Marlene Lampshades