Jenn Todryk HGTV No Demo Reno
Texas-born Jennifer (Jenn) Todryk is a self-made entrepreneur and author. She is also a working mother to three children under 10: Von, age 9, Berkley, age 7, and Vivi, age 3. The millennial mom graduated from Tarleton State University with a degree in fashion merchandising, but it was her blogging that led her to professional success in 2015.
Jenn’s personal brand “The Rambling Readhead” is rooted in authenticity, empathy, and transparency; it has seen exponential growth on Instagram and TikTok since she became the host and home renovation expert on HGTV’s No Demo Reno in 2021. More recently, Tordyk also launched her first podcast “You, Me, & Mike” with husband and business partner, U.S. veteran Mike Todryk.
Below Todryk discusses how her business began, the importance of home, and why relationships have always been key to her professional success:
Christine Michel Carter: How has social media helped your businesses?
Jenn Todryk: I started posting home decor and home renovation tips and tricks full-time in 2019 and gained an audience of over 1 million followers on Instagram within two years. Deciding to treat social media as a job meant posting twice a day, making video tutorials, and never taking a "sick day,” but that wasn’t a sacrifice since I genuinely love interacting with my community daily. I feel very fortunate in this space; God has blessed me with such a wonderful group of people, and I will never take it for granted. I truly feel like this is my calling. I don't know how all these amazing women found me, but I'm here until nobody wants to listen to me anymore!
Carter: Take me back to the “not so pretty” side of entrepreneurship. What did that look like for you in 2019?
Todryk: I started home renovating in my and my husband’s previous house. We navigated the entire process solo, learned many lessons, and shed blood, sweat, and tears. During the process I thought, if I could get people excited about their homes by showing mine, then I would be happy. Plus I’m a huge homebody. I feel like everyone deserves to love where they live, and it's my mission to get them excited about where they do live.
Carter: Are you the person writing your social media posts to this day, or are you outsourcing content?
Todryk: I am the only person who has access to my social media accounts and the only person interacting with my audience. I wanted to share my home design passion with the internet; I don't want this to feel like a job with lots of employees or a large team of people. There is stress that comes with that, and I don't have time to be stressed right now! I don't wish to be a social media machine; I just want to love what I do every day and be a source of humor and joy in the process.
Jenn Todryk is married to U.S. veteran Mike Todryk and has three children under 10: Von, age 9, ... [+]
Carter: What does flexible work look like to you? What are some accommodations you’ve had to make as a working mom that your audience may not necessarily see?
Todryk: When filming, my work demands are higher since I must be on site to film. However, I decided to only film four days a week during season two of No Demo Reno. My entire life is not about filming a TV show; filming a TV show is just a small part of my life that existed before the show. I believe in setting firm boundaries and sticking to them. If I say I have to be home by 4:30, then I will be home by 4:30. Sticking to your boundaries is CRUCIAL to maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
Carter: What about childcare and “heads down” work time?
Todryk: I have childcare a few days a week, so I can take calls, have Zoom meetings, and knock out a few hours of focused work. I also have an assistant who has been with me for three years who helps with the upkeep of my blog (and feeds my toddler secret snacks and lets my dog out to pee very often). I feel super lucky that I was able to make a business that I can run primarily from my house.
Texas-born Jennifer (Jenn) Todryk is a self-made entrepreneur and author.
Carter: What other projects lately are keeping you inspired?
Todryk: I love creating content and being the “weird girl” on Instagram and TV. In addition to the TV show, my coffee shop Armor Coffee, my website, and connecting with people on social media, my husband and I recently bought a brewery that will become Armor Brewery in Allen, Texas. Demolition starts in a couple of weeks, and a large renovation is happening to get the brewery to our vision for our community. We always have stuff brewin’ (pun intended) and will more than likely discuss progress on our weekly podcast each Thursday.
Carter: Why did you factor the Texas community into the vision for the brewery?
Todryk: As a business owner myself, I love supporting businesses. The businesses that I partner with are great companies. I love getting to know the people behind companies and their stories and helping them grow. This job is super relationship-oriented, and I LOVE that! I love getting to know the people within my community, whether it's a conversation through DMs or meeting them in person at Armor Coffee… or even Target!
