I'm Leanne Lee.
I teach women the skills to feel confident in taking on DIY projects, to explore their creativity, and to experience the feeling of accomplishment that comes with creating something on their own.
I am a mom of 3 young men, a business owner, a maker, and the "Diva of DIY". I love love LOVE a good DIY project. Whether it's a basic home makeover, a simple craft project, or handmade gifts for friends & family, I love being creative and using the skills I've learned over the years to bring my ideas to life.
It was 1995 and fresh out of college when my husband and I scraped together every penny we had to buy our first house…a real fixer upper. We were young, broke, and full of dreams. We didn't have any home improvement experience but what we lacked in knowledge and skill, we learned (mostly by trial & error).
Fast forward 3 years, we had fixed up our first house, sold it and made enough profit to put a nice down payment on a larger home...another fixer upper. That same year our first child was born. We were juggling our day jobs, starting our own businesses and fixing up the house for our expanding family. Two years later we welcomed our next 2 children…yes TWINS! As you can probably imagine, we were stretched thin but we slowly made that house a home we could be proud of...one DIY project at a time. Nine years later we sold that house for a big profit and bought yet another “diamond in the rough”...this one would end up being our dream home...a home I never dreamed could be ours.
Our secret? Do-it-yourself and home improvement projects.
You see, we could have never purchased any of those homes in pristine condition...we bought them at a discount because they needed a lot of work. We also couldn't afford to hire all of the work done for us...that would have eaten up any profit to be made. Take my advice, based on firsthand knowledge...If you are willing to invest some sweat equity in a fixer-upper, the rewards are priceless.
In 2001, I launched my painting company called "Rekindled spaces". I've spent countless hours helping my clients transform the house they have into the home they love.
Fast forward 23 years and that small business that was started to help pay for food and diapers has become my main source of income. A company that once specialized in faux finishing quickly morphed into a large-scale renovation company.
In 2013, I had my first television segment on "Kansas City Live" I made a birdfeeder out of an old chandelier. Who knew that segment would catapult me into over a decade of television & media.
Since that first segment...
I've been featured on hundreds of DIY segments across the country including my own weekly syndicated segment that was seen by over 10 million people per week.
Multiple seasons of Food Network's Restaurant: Impossible.
Hallmark channel's "Home & Family".
I won "Home & Garden's Trendsetter of the Year".
"Entrepreneur Magazine's" Mom's in Business runner-up.
I've contributed hundreds of articles to local and national home & garden magazines.
I've been hired to speak at dozens of home shows, seminars & conferences.
In 2020 life threw me a curveball - DIVORCE.
Suddenly, I was on my own and left to navigate life without a safety net. You see prior to my divorce, I had never lived alone. I went straight from high school to college and then I got married. I was 48 yrs old living on my own for the first time and it was a tough adjustment. To be completely honest...it was a very dark time for me. There were many days I didn't even want to get out of bed. The one thing that kept me going was my ability to create something with my own hands. My workshop was a place I could go to escape the ruminating thoughts. Here is some truth friends: "Dwelling about the past can cause depression. Wondering about the future can cause anxiety". That cherished time "creating" kept me focused on the present. I could feel myself getting stronger with every project. I am so thankful I had learned the skills to keep moving forward. Who knew that all of those DIY and home improvement projects would end up being the backbone of my fresh start?
I didn't just create a home; I crafted a new life for myself, filled with confidence, independence. and happiness.
All those skills I picked up over the years became my SUPERPOWER!
Now I'm here to teach you those same skills!
I love helping women discover the joy of creating something with their own hands. I want every one to know they are capable, they are skilled, and they have the power to bring their ideas to life.
My goal in this 4-week program is not just to teach you how to use power tools but to do it with confidence and to discover your own power within.
