Thanks for taking the time to learn more about FENNO FASHION and the story behind our business!
Personally, I love getting to know the local businesses I support. There’s something special about learning what inspires the owners, how their journey began, and getting a glimpse at the people behind the scenes who help bring it all together.
So, I thought I’d share a little more about us, too!
My husband John, our 15-year-old son Myles, and I live on the westside of Cincinnati. We built our home in 2016 and loved the idea of starting with a blank slate—it’s given us endless opportunities to make it our own through DIY projects and design.
I don’t think our list of ideas will ever truly be finished, but that’s part of the fun! We both love the process of turning our house into a home that reflects us. You could call it a hobby, but we genuinely love all things DIY and design—and there’s almost always another project in the works!
In high school, I worked as the Events Coordinator at Michael’s Arts & Crafts. When we needed a jewelry instructor and couldn’t find anyone to fill the role, I decided to teach myself—and before long, I was teaching classes and had completely fallen in love with jewelry making.
It had always been my dream to attend the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), and after discovering my passion for jewelry, choosing to study fashion and accessory design felt like the perfect fit. While attending SCAD in Savannah, I transferred to the local Michael’s store and continued teaching jewelry classes throughout college.
My husband also attended SCAD, and after graduation, we moved to Austin, Texas, for his first job. At the time, opportunities in the fashion industry were limited outside of places like New York City, so I decided to create my own path. I combined my love of accessories, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit—and that’s where the story of FENNO FASHION truly began.
In 2007, MEW FASHION was officially registered as a business—and so the journey began! After John and I got married in 2008, the name changed to FENNO FASHION.
Although I’ve been designing and creating jewelry and accessories for nearly 25 years, it hasn’t always been my full-time career. When John and I moved from Austin back to my hometown of Cincinnati, the business unexpectedly opened the door to some incredible opportunities. I had a regular segment on Cincinnati’s Top 40 station, Q102, and was fortunate to share fashion tips, trends, and DIY projects on television. (You can check out 12 of the coolest moments from my career below!)
Through all of those experiences, though, my heart kept bringing me back to FENNO FASHION. I loved the relationships I was building with customers and fellow small business owners, the freedom to create, and the opportunity to turn my ideas into something meaningful.
So in 2016, I took the leap and made FENNO FASHION my full-time focus—and I’ve never looked back.
In 2017 after working with a business coach, I decided that adding a mobile boutique to the business was the next big step. You can read about how I found the perfect truck and I also documented the progress as my husband John and I transformed the former plumbing truck into the perfect little store on wheels.
Fast forward to the present and I have an amazing team, couldn't be happier with my decision to add the fashion truck and enjoy working in my beautiful and inviting studio.
Just for fun, I thought I'd share the top 12 coolest moments in my career!
Trying out for the TV show Project Runway in Chicago. While I didn't obviously make the show, having the opportunity to have Tim Gunn critique my work was a pretty awesome experience in itself!
Designing & creating a wedding dress entirely from scratch. The bride gave me a few ideas of what she was looking for and from there, I sketched out a few designs, made the patterns, selected the fabric and sewed it all together. I love how the dress turned out however, it helps when you're working with a beautiful bride.
Showcasing my work at the inaugural Austin Fashion Week, where I taught jewelry design classes and had the opportunity to walk the red carpet with celebrities!
Being chosen as Fashion Woman of the Year for Cincinnati in 2009 by Cincy Chic.
Co-hosting a radio show titled "One Chic Mother to Another" on Cincinnati's hit music station, Q102 (WKRQ).
Personality Holly Morgan and I shared daily fashion trends, beauty from the standard to the obscure, DIY projects and trending topics from the perspective of two working moms. Here’s a few sound clips from when I was the fashion editor for Cincinnati’s Top 40 station, Q102 (WKRQ).
Here’s a few sound clips from when I was the fashion editor for Cincinnati’s Top 40 station, Q102 (WKRQ).
Having my accessories, writing, DIY tutorials and accessories featured in & on over 200 publications to date.
Features include: Cincy Local, Soapbox Media, AOL, Western Hills Press, The Style Sample, Austin Fashion Week, Simplemost, M/I Homes, Cincy Chic, Cincinnati.com, Fox 19, Rakesh Ram, WCPO, We Are Mortar, Don't Waste Your Money, DIY Idea Center, WKRC TV, Women of Cincy, Cox Media Group, WKRQ Q102 Cincinnati, KYGO Denver Country Radio, Jubilee, HomeDIT, DIY Cozy Home, DIY Home World, Do It And How, Indulgy, Herbs And Oils Hub, Amazing Herbs And Oils, Shelterness, ABC Action News, MyFoxAL, NBC12, WXYZ TV, WBRC Fox 6 News, Toledo News Now, WTOC Savannah, KFVS News 12, Tucson News Now, Fox19 NOW, KSHB Kanas City News, KJRH Tulsa News, Cincysavers & WCPO, Wunder Mom,
Having the opportunity to interview a lot of cool people, such as Nick & Drew Lachey from 98° & yep, even Tyra Banks!
Teaching over 200 classes about jewelry design in 4 different states. I've taught everyone from the littlest of kids to girl scout troops and ladies looking to take on a new hobby. You can find more information about the classes I offer here.
For a short period of time, I had a handbag line I titled "UREC," which stands for Up-Cycled, Recycled & Eco-Conscious. The handbags were made using recycled materials coupled with my own patterns & designs. They were so much fun to make, but oh so time-consuming!
Having had the opportunity to be a personality for Q102 & Cincysavers.
Aside from talking about DIY projects & fashion on the air every day, I also had the opportunity to partner with many local & national brands including IKEA, Michaels, Project Runway, Johnson & Johnson & more!
Being featured on the front page of our local newspaper.
I love giving back to the community that I love so much, so I was honored when our local newspaper featured the biz when I donated jewelry to Cincinnati Children's Hospital. I felt so good about my decision to give back and know it made others feel good too.
Being able to say I'm a truck driver.
Who knew a career in jewelry design would lead to driving around an old plumbing truck, right? I still try to avoid the interstate whenever possible!
All in all, it’s pretty amazing how sharing your passion and embracing life’s adventures can open the door to such exciting opportunities. More than anything, I’m incredibly grateful for the deep-rooted friendships and the amazing community that’s supported me from the very beginning.
Things haven’t always been easy.
I grew up in Cincinnati, but when I was 12, my family relocated to Tallahassee, Florida, after my dad was accepted into Florida State University to earn his PhD. It was a difficult adjustment. I missed my life in Cincinnati deeply and struggled with depression for several years.
Then, in ninth grade, I met my future husband in an advanced placement art class. I still can’t fully express how grateful I am to have met my soulmate at such a young age. It’s one of those experiences that truly makes me believe everything happens for a reason.
After high school, life took us to a few different places—first to Savannah, Georgia, for college and then to Austin, Texas, for John’s first job. But in the end, I truly believe I was meant to find my way back home to Cincinnati.
We bought our first home on the westside, and John eventually began working remotely as a home décor designer. Over the years, his designs have been sold in stores across the country, including TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Marshalls, Target, Kohl’s, and Meijer.
Looking back, there were plenty of twists and turns along the way, but each one played a part in bringing us back to Cincinnati and building the life—and businesses—we have today.
Our son Myles was born in 2011, and shortly after, my health began to decline. Following 56 hours of active labor, I was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy.
Without getting into all the details, that diagnosis marked the beginning of a difficult five years that included six additional surgeries and more health challenges than I ever could have anticipated—including an emergency surgery while on vacation in Belize.
But as scary and difficult as those years were, I honestly wouldn’t change them. Those experiences changed me in ways I never expected and gave me an entirely new perspective on life.
Our family became stronger. I became stronger. And most importantly, I realized just how precious life is—and that it’s far too short not to spend as much of it as possible doing what you love.
That realization gave me the push I needed to grow FENNO FASHION and finally take the leap into working for myself full time.
And I’m so incredibly grateful I did.
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