GET TO KNOW ME

Meet Lauren McKenzie, Young Entrepreneur of the Year

This Southern California native relocated to Colorado Springs in 2012 after studying at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor near Waco, Texas. In 2018, after spending 7 years in the creative industry, Lauren ventured out on her own to launch REN Creativ and take the industry by storm. Just one year after starting her business, Lauren received a Silver and three Gold ADDY awards from the American Advertising Federation in Colorado Springs. 

When she isn’t designing killer brands for her clients, Lauren — a self-professed Hot Cheetos addict — mentors and teaches local aspiring designers and photographers. She also spearheaded a countywide and city-endorsed initiative called “Support the Springs” to spread positivity and support local small businesses through the pandemic. Lauren firmly believes good marketing and design isn’t just for Fortune 500 companies, and should be accessible to small businesses.

Most recently Lauren and her partner opened Hapke’s Hortum, a retail houseplant store located in Old Colorado City.

Press Features:

Colorado Springs Young Entrepreneur of the Year pushes boundaries The Gazette

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Pikes Peak SBDC & Southern Colorado BBB

We're Open Colorado: Ren Creativ Documents Families in This Time of Crisis KOAA News Channel 5

Support the Springs Helping Local Business Thrive KOAA News Channel 5

Colorado Creative Series AIGA Colorado

Journeying Through a Creativ Life With Lauren McKenzie Thrive for the COS Podcast

Meet Trailblazer Lauren McKenzie Voyage Denver

McKenzie Masters the Art of the Hustle Colorado Springs Business Journal

REN Creativ: Brand Champion for the Little Guys Keyhole Marketing Podcast

HEAD DESIGNER + OWNER

Myers-Briggs  ENFP—The Campaigner

Enneagram

  Type 8 – The Challenger

Awards

• 2021 Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Pikes Peak SBDC and Southern Colorado BBB

• 2021, Peak Pro Excellence in PR, Pikes Peak PRSA

• 2020, Best of Show, Support the Springs, American Advertising Federation COS

• 2020 Mayor's Young Leader of the Year nominee

• 2020, Designer of the Year, American Advertising Federation COS

• 2018-2019, Next Generation Award, Advertising Federation COS