We were lucky to catch up with Renee Larson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Renee, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My small business, The Bow Tie Shoppe, started in 2013 while I was still living in Minneapolis. I would take apart old, outdated neckties, pair that fabric with a new coordinating fabric and create one-of-a-kind, reversible bow ties. I met a client who had a load of old neck ties that were his grandfather’s. He sent them to me and said curate them however you’d like, I will never wear them as is. I was nervous because they were all high end, designer ties, and I wasn’t even sure if he realized that. After sharing that with him he was still excited to have me take on the project. I think we did 12. They were all so unique and I loved them! Thankfully he did too! This caught the attention of another client. She reached out because she was getting married and her groom was hoping to have his Grandmother’s cancer bonnet made into his wedding day bow tie. I said yes, but when I received it I was terrified to take it apart. It was a delicate cotton eyelet material and I knew how important this was going to be. I think, to this day, this is the one piece I am most proud of.

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.

Art and design has always been part of my life. I’ve been a maker as long as I can remember. Over the years my art/design has taken on different iterations. I guess one might say I am a multi-talented artist and small business owner with a passion for creativity in various forms. I’m the owner of The Bow Tie Shoppe, where I make custom, bespoke men’s accessories. When I rescued my pup, Maisie I added on pet accessories, because she has to be fashionable too, right? Maisie also inspired my collection of art in her likeness. My gallery wall features work from artists all over the country, as well as the UK, all of my little rescue, Maisie.

During COVID, I took an online class with a friend. Petite Felts sent us everything we needed to get started. We made 3 dimensional felted snowmen. This year I started doing 2D portraitures using the needle felting technique. Houndspun was born out of my love of art and my rescue pup, Maisie.

During the day I sew custom window treatments for high-end interior design projects in the New England area

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I was 15, my father died. He was young, just 41 years old. It was the first great loss I had experienced, but it wouldn’t be the last. Just four years later, I was a college student. My mom had been taken to the hospital for some breathing issues. They admitted her and a few days later discovered she had a softball sized tumor in her lung. She died on the fifth day. It was fast and furious and my life was upside down. After that summer I spent most of my days on campus at my jewelers bench in the metals studio. I was studying metalsmithing at the time. I think art saved me and it’s been a constant in my life to this day.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2016 I left my home state of Minnesota to take on a job I thought was my dream job. This job brought me to Massachusetts. I left a thriving art scene and local boutiques that sold my product behind. I would have to start over. Once I got here I found myself living through rounds of mergers, growth and downsizing. Highs and lows. Good days and bad days. The loneliness of being in a new state with no friends, literally starting over as an adult trying to find my people. After three years I lost that job I once referred to as a dream job. I wasn’t sure what to do next. I didn’t think corporate was for me again so I focused on my art. I learned a new trade and I found my people. I’m still in Massachusetts and I’m still working in a creative capacity!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thebowtieshoppe.com
• Instagram: @thebowtieshoppe
• Other: www.houndspun.com
  www.reneelarsonstylist.com