We recently connected with Tasena Renner and have shared our conversation below.

Tasena, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

A do-over isn’t given, but I’m sure glad I gave myself a second chance to participate full-time in my passion. I knew by age 14 I wanted to draw people for money, and I did visit a university with plans to go, but I didn’t go. I, instead, went to a technical college at age twenty-two and got an Associates in Health Science. I had plans then too for transferring to a university and getting my BFA, but I again I let finances overrule my heart and desires.

That’s twice I had the desire for more teaching and guidance and didn’t push past the limiting beliefs I had. Many years passed as they do. I was a homeschool teacher for seventeen years and did direct sales for five years after. I drew some over those years and did garment alterations at times, I created many garments over the years, discovering sewing in my early 20’s.

It wasn’t until a dawning moment this year, at age 53, that I understood the hard truth. I wasn’t making any money at direct sales, and I was unhappy pursuing that path. I had put lots of money in and was
getting little back. I found chasing people wasn’t for me.

This summer, I decided to put myself out there and begin sewing for an income again, my neighbor giving me the perfect opportunity to make her a custom headboard slip cover. It wasn’t long after that I decided to offer private and group lessons. Being that sewing is a joy—might first love is art—I also took the leap and pulled out my art supplies. I hadn’t painted in eight years! There was some fear around picking up that wooden crate which held my paints. I now know I was feeling imposter syndrome; it was overwhelming. I pushed passed that fear and started a painting. It was called The Pumpkin Cake Roll. I redid it four times, I think. More paintings followed.

I waited, listening to my inner guidance as to when to share my art and list them for sale. I knew I wanted to create a business that allows me to create visual art and sew. That uses both my talents and skills, offering two streams of income. Etsy seemed the easiest path to pursue first. I continue to offer sewing lessons too and the creation of new garments.

I do think at times and recognize there are so many things I want to paint and wonder if there is time. Had I taken the route of gaining my art degree at an early age there are so many things I could’ve created. I try not to think that way and appreciate the path I’ve taken. Also, drawing people for money isn’t off the table. That will likely make its way to easel in 2025.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into the business simply because they are my passions. Visual art and sewing are so second nature. They’re breath and life. They’re a part of who I am. I asked at this latter part of my life who I was living for, why waste my talents, and can I really create an income for myself by doing what I love? Simply put, I decided to take a chance on myself. It was a brave and bold decision. I’m still learning the ropes of advertising myself. Direct sales marketing did teach me a bit of that, but it is a whole different ball game getting to be authentic and not limited by rules of a company.

I offer lessons for others to learn to sew—straight to making garments. Garments are what I like to make, so it made sense to me to teach that skill and not pillow cases. I’ve now 30 years experience in doing so. My second sewing service is minor alterations on garments and custom work.

My creation of visually appealing pieces is about just that. I prefer visually appealing art. I paint that which looks appealing to me or has special meaning. I am very open to commission work for a home, office, or business.

I don’t view myself as being set apart by others but instead I view myself as being part of a creative community, one which values craftsmanship and skill. I’m one amongst millions of artists and sewists that only want to be authentically themselves. I hope to offer that to others as well, especially when I teach. It isn’t for me to demand of them but to be a guide.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

In visual art, I learned to create what I saw. I learned the techniques of line, shading, tone, composition, etc. Those all come in handy when creating a life like piece. They serve me well, but it also instilled perfectionism in me, and that is why I struggled for years upon years to offer sales of my work. It wasn’t till this year that I learned to love myself more and address those issues. Then I was able to allow myself freedom to do what I love and not demand of myself perfectionism and compare my work to others.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Earlier this year, I made a declaration to my peers in direct sales of what I wanted to accomplish and when. One month following, I had the most profound eye opening experience. In the company I worked, gifts are given for a certain level of investment of product to sell. A few months prior, I decided to go in and go big for the first time in my five year career. I invested lots of money, and had little sales.

There was a new prize to be earned that I would love to have, but that meant investing more money, and I had sold little of the product I invested in months before. It hit me so profoundly, that I even asked out loud while sitting in my car alone at a grocery store, “Why the heck would I spend $$$ to earn that prize that isn’t even of great quality or value?” My only reward truly would have been recognition of my peer group. That doesn’t pay my bills.

It was then I had to admit even though I’d made a declaration of what I wanted within the company wasn’t worth my investment, my energy, or my time. It was hard to eat crow and go back on my word and know I wouldn’t be pursuing what I said I would. This is when I allowed my heart to open to my passions and let them go with me on this new journey I was taking—a path to me and being authentic.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tasenarennerstudio/profilecard/?igsh=MWdkOG1pZ3NpcWt2cA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15NA9Kaqmi/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tasena-renner-728709237?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Other: https://tasenarennerstudios.etsy.com/