Amy Thomas is #MadeForKnoxville.

Amy came into this world with an essence of craftiness — both of her parents made careers out of their creativity, and their work allowed her to see the value in expressing herself through making. After teaching for 20+ years, Amy finally grasped the opportunity to intertwine teaching, crafting and entrepreneurship. 

Amy introduced her own branch of AR Workshop, a boutique DIY studio that offers hands-on classes, to Knoxville. Since opening the studio, she’s grown immensely as a creative, community member and entrepreneur. Amy’s parents taught her to work hard and dream big, and she’s using those lessons to spread a love for crafting to her Knoxville community. 

“What I’ve taught myself the last 3 years about owning a small business and being a part of Knoxville has changed me deeply.”

In Their Own Words…

I’m an East TN native and proudly taught children in our community for 25 years. With a mother as a painter and a father as a woodworker, I was made to be crafty. The ability to infuse teaching, making, and an entrepreneur spirit led me to open a DIY boutique offering an experience and time well spent together. My father taught me to hustle and my mother taught me to dream. What I’ve taught myself the last 3 years about owning a small business and being a part of Knoxville has changed me deeply. I’ll never regret the leap I took to challenge myself, and am so grateful for the people who lift and cheer me on daily. This past year and a half has brought me to my knees continuously. I know that if I can keep my entrepreneur spirit high, I can make AR Workshop Knoxville a greater part of our community. 

I’ve got the hustle. I’ve got the heart. I continuously use my gut and my integrity to move my business. AR Workshop Knoxville is independently owned by me. I do receive some branding from the franchise; however, I have always wanted this business to be authentic and not look like others. People always tell me the shop feels like home. 

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