At AR Workshop Clinton, style isn't limited to fashion trends or home décor. It's found in the confidence to create something personal, the joy of trying something new and the connections formed through a shared creative experience.
For owner Jennifer LeGates, creativity has always been part of her story.
"I started oil painting when I was about 12 years old," she says. "I've always done something art-related throughout my life."
That passion followed her through a successful corporate career spanning more than two decades. But after years of project management, quality assurance and leadership roles, she found herself searching for something more fulfilling.
"The hobby escape wasn't really helping anymore," LeGates says. "I was burnt out."
While exploring new opportunities, she discovered AR Workshop and was immediately drawn to its blend of creativity, entrepreneurship and community.
"It felt supportive from the beginning," she says. "I knew there was a real community behind it."
Opening AR Workshop Clinton required balancing the demands of launching a business while maintaining her corporate career. For months, LeGates managed contractors, schedules and build-outs before officially stepping away from corporate life earlier this year.
Today, she couldn't be happier with the decision.
Located in downtown Clinton, AR Workshop offers hands-on creative experiences where guests can customize a variety of projects while enjoying time with friends, family or coworkers. But according to LeGates, the finished project is only part of what makes the experience special.
"I don't sell stuff," she says with a laugh. "I sell the experience."
That philosophy guides everything she does.
In a world filled with constant notifications and digital distractions, AR Workshop provides a place where people can slow down, focus on something creative and simply enjoy being present.
Guests often arrive feeling nervous, convinced they aren't artistic enough to participate. They're worried about choosing the wrong colors, making mistakes or not knowing where to start.
By the end of the workshop, those same guests are proudly admiring their creations and talking about what they want to make next.
"Everybody comes in saying, 'I'm not creative,'" LeGates says. "Then they're already planning their next project."
Helping people discover that creative confidence is one of the most rewarding parts of her job. LeGates and her team guide guests through each step, offering encouragement and practical advice along the way.
Her personal motto?
"No one leaves here with something they don't like."
That welcoming approach has helped transform AR Workshop into much more than a crafting studio. It has become a gathering place for the community.
Friends schedule quarterly get-togethers. Book clubs meet on their off weeks. Families celebrate birthdays. Local organizations host fundraisers. Corporate teams swap spreadsheets and meetings for paintbrushes and conversation.
Sometimes complete strangers arrive at separate tables and leave feeling like friends.
"It's really become a community space," LeGates says. "People connect here."
One of her favorite moments is watching customers unwind during a workshop. Whether they've had a stressful day at work or simply need a break from life's demands, creativity often provides an unexpected reset.
"I can see the stress leave people's bodies halfway through a project," she says.
That transformation reflects what style truly means to LeGates. It's not about following trends or creating something perfect. It's about personal expression.
While guests may arrive inspired by seasonal colors, home décor ideas or social media trends, they ultimately create something uniquely their own. Each project reflects individual taste, personality and creativity.
As AR Workshop Clinton continues to grow, LeGates is focused on expanding community partnerships, team-building opportunities and fundraising events that bring people together in meaningful ways.
Because while handmade projects may draw people through the door, it's the experience that keeps them coming back.
At AR Workshop Clinton, style isn't something you purchase. It's something you create.
Ready to create something uniquely yours? Visit ARWorkshop.com/Clinton to explore upcoming workshops, private events and hands-on creative experiences for all skill levels.
“I don’t sell stuff. I sell the experience.”—Jennifer LeGates