So, What's the Story?  

Find BIG NEWS below on the exciting next chapter…

Welcome to the story of Red & Rugged and how our artisan business began.

From a young age, we have both been hard-working individuals, doing what it takes to create opportunities and deliver a quality experience.

As the “Red” in this duo, I began delivering newspapers in sixth grade, having no idea it was the start of a long connection to content. “Rugged” began mowing lawns and shoveling snow in Pennsylvania, just a few miles from me, although we didn’t know each other back then. We were both serving customers in elementary school when you could still go door to door and work for your neighbors.

Growing up, I started writing in notebooks and exchanging them with friends as we documented our challenges and triumphs. This creative passion remained a constant, kept under wraps for decades. In business, I took a traditional corporate route, promoted from sales to business development to management until I ultimately made the life-changing transition to a strategic-backed start-up. I quickly learned how much I loved the entrepreneurial community. I launched my own business to write about entrepreneurs, then added events and launched a national magazine – all things that I had never done before. I began to be recognized and recruited for larger opportunities.

Venture capital groups hired me to assist young companies in their portfolios en route to acquisition. This experience led to running multi-million dollar programs, launching and managing investments in start-ups, and identifying and supporting strong entrepreneurial teams. All of these opportunities opened the door to national recognition.

Meanwhile, in our personal lives, our family began to travel, attend art shows, visit main streets, and meet artisans around the country. Our artisan network grew, as did our interest in spending more time in this creative space. After decades in traditional roles, we both began to dream about more fulfilling life endeavors. In 2017, we launched Red & Rugged, creating an unforgettable artisan gift experience for our clients.

Rugged followed an accomplished corporate path for 40 years as a senior field engineer with his impressive aptitude for technical details, learning on the fly, working with his hands, and stellar customer service recognition. In addition to his full-time job, he led the custom craftsmanship at Red & Rugged, ensuring only beautiful, quality, handcrafted pieces were made and delivered to our customers. In December 2023, he retired from that corporate role - earlier than planned, which you can read about in our blog, The Surprise Big Finish.

Over the last seven years, we are proud and humbled to have built lasting relationships and many treasured friendships in our artisan community, corporate C-Suites, with global executives, renowned hospitality professionals, boutique business owners, and discerning individuals.

Now, it’s time for the next evolution…
Starting in September 2024, I’ve stepped into the spotlight, weaving my decades of business experience with my artful and imaginative skills to help other women succeed in fabulous and fulfilling ways. As a business creatives’ coach, I’m expanding my existing work with women, engaging and uplifting talented, creative professionals as they build thriving businesses they love. I invite you to visit BizCreatv to learn more and to connect with me. Rugged will transition to fully enjoy the freedom to fish, hunt, golf, cook (make pizza!), travel, and more!

You can hear first-hand the latest news and updates via email below. Exciting things are coming…!