We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Latasha Simpson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Latasha below.

Alright, Latasha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

What is the kindest thing that anyone has ever done for me? Well that’s very difficult to pinpoint as I like to believe I’ve experienced many moments of kindness throughout my 40 years. However, In recent years I would say the kindest thing people do for us now is support our family business. For instance, we recently attended a Vendors crafts fair & my husband & I brought along my 14 year old son. He helped us load all of the furniture, set up the tent/display in brutal weather & networked for us- no easy task for a teen. That being said- he never complained & you should have seen him bursting with pride at all of the reactions of the attendees as they discovered our work. Moments like these when people continue to choose us, to connect with us- these moments broaden my sons idea of what a “job” can look like & what hard work can do. He experienced the culmination of planning, executing & perseverance. These lessons are impactful in ways that I am so grateful for. My son has seen this dream become reality- birthed from a need, a want, a lacking that we turned into an opportunity. It didn’t happen over night & he’s seen & experienced it all with us- the late nights, self doubt, new discoveries, disappointments & ultimately success. A few weeks ago I over heard him telling a friend: If you want something, you need to make it happen- it won’t just happen for you. If you know one thing about us, please know that our son is the nucleus of our business & the reason for why we keep going. While I love painting, it is merely the action that allows us more time with him, to watch him learn & grow. It allows us the freedom to show him the opportunities one can find when they continue to dream & work hard. That’s why I say supporting our family business is the kindest thing we experience because it has a ripple effect beyond a business, beyond a sale – it’s bigger than any of those things & for that I’m so grateful for each & every one our clients. It’s the reason I never forget a client & the piece they re-homed from our business. They are all an intricate part of my family.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I got into the furniture painting business out of lacking & my love of art. Like some of you, I discovered painted furniture & immediately swooned over the artists creativity, wanted all of the nice things & discovered I could not afford those prices: Whomp- whomp. However, I’ve always been blessed with the ability to finesse, to zhuzh, to add a little razzle dazzle if you will & i knew in my heart I could do it & so I did it ( and dragged my family along too, lol). Next, I received an unexpected check while mulling the idea over & immediately decided: I am doing this!

We chose the name ‘Renaissance’ as it means rebirth & this was to be the start of something beautiful for us. In turn, we also provide a rebirth of sorts to our pieces & so Renaissance Refinishing LLC was born. It’s still such a amazingly crazy thing for our little family that we get to do something so unique, fun & adventurous! One thing about us, is that we love Art / Expression & I like to think we are still kids at heart. This is why you might find a bit of whimsy and wonder in our pieces. We love to have fun & we are still enjoying the process of bringing joy to others.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Here’s a little story: When I first discovered painted furniture I purchased a few pieces from a local vendor without really vetting her work first. She offered to deliver them and I agreed to her prices. Let’s just say that when they arrived I was very disappointed & there was no reasoning with her. The pieces were broken & unclean- drawer fronts were unattached & the backs of the dresser were missing amongst other furniture atrocities. Later on she followed our work & I answered her questions without her ever knowing it was me. Now I only tell you this because I remembered thinking: Why would she burn bridges like that & leave clients with a negative experience?? This became a cornerstone of our work ethic. A lived experience that shaped our business and the products we produce. I swore to always leave our clients with a positive experience because we had experienced a less than stellar outcome. Also, I am a perfectionist- Be it for better or worse. We genuinely care about every person we work with & the product we send home with each & every one of them. We don’t paint for groups of people, we paint for you. Each piece is unique, it can not be replicated. I love that about what we do here & I believe that translates into the finished product allowing us to ship to places I’ve yet to even see.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I first started this journey I was only painting furniture in grey & white tones. I actually had followers asking if those were the only two colors I owned, lol. I needed this feedback, I was stuck & it was starting to show. These colors were popular but they were also confining me. I feared the failure of not selling but I was so very unfulfilled & so fear began to cripple my progression.

Then came the pandemic. The grey’s & whites seemed even more depressing than usual & I couldn’t seem to drag myself to paint any more. This is when I discovered that some painters were creating true art & this spoke to me. I use to cringe when I placed furniture artist next to my title: Was I truly an artist? What makes an Artist an artist if art is subjective? I really didn’t feel like an artist but then I began to eat, sleep & drink furniture artistry. Color became my therapy & my brush my escape. Bit by bit, I allowed myself to let go & enjoy the process. Low & behold an artist emerged & I have no doubt that you too are an artist. At a recent event, nearly every person that came by called me an Artist. This time those uncomfortable feelings weren’t present & I didn’t wonder why. You can not be given the title Artist, we are all born one but you must live it. Like anything else you love, you must train, commit and immerse yourself. One must free their mind from any constraints of the ideas of others or any negative thoughts that you hold yourself. Your whole being is a work of art, we are born artists. Art is only expression & we are born with the ability & the need to create- just give in to it.      

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ren-refinishing-lsjsdc.squarespace.com/
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