Jenny Kompolt and Melissa James transitioned from corporate careers to establish JunkGirls, a brand promoting creativity and sustainability through art therapy.
In 2009, Jenny Kompolt and her partner Melissa James made a significant shift from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, establishing JunkGirls, a brand that intertwines creativity, art therapy, and sustainability. The inspiration for this venture arose from Kompolt’s personal experiences with art therapy and James’s passion for handcrafted artifacts.
Kompolt, who previously enjoyed a successful career as the Creative Director at Netflix, faced challenges with anxiety and depression. After raising over $22 million for charitable causes through her graphic design agency, she sought therapeutic solutions that led her to art therapy. Reflecting on her journey, Kompolt remarked, “I can honestly say that it has filled such a huge hole in my life.”
Art therapy employs creative processes such as painting and sculpture to help individuals articulate complex emotions. For Kompolt, it revitalized her connection to art, prompting her to explore assemblage art—an artistic style that reuses everyday objects to form cohesive sculptures. Her upbringing, which included finding solace in nature by uncovering treasures in the creek behind her childhood home, significantly influenced this newfound artistic direction. “There’s beauty in everything, no matter how damaged,” Kompolt stated, emphasizing her commitment to showcasing overlooked items in their raw forms.
James plays a complementary role in JunkGirls, particularly through her personalized metal stamping, which fosters connections with customers. She encourages others to pursue their passions, saying, “Try to find that one thing that really makes your heart sing.”
Initially operating out of their garage, the couple attended local craft fairs and vintage shows to promote their burgeoning brand. In December 2014, they opened their first storefront in Cambria and later relocated in 2018 to a historic building in downtown San Luis Obispo, known as the Muzio building. JunkGirls has grown a reputation for utilizing recycled and repurposed materials, with James noting there is “so much material out there that can be reused.”
Their approach not only champions sustainability in art but also addresses waste reduction. “Transforming something from its original purpose into something new is a great way to embrace sustainability in art,” Kompolt said, highlighting their eco-friendly practices.
As JunkGirls approaches its 14th anniversary, the couple is expanding their mission through the establishment of The Junk Girls’ Non-Profit, aimed at promoting mental health and artistic expression for both children and adults. “It’s a great joy to use what I’ve learned as a way to give back to others and inspire them to find their creative path,” Kompolt expressed, illustrating her commitment to community support.
Furthermore, Kompolt continues to leverage her artistic journey as a way to heal personally while encouraging others facing similar struggles. She offers advice for those battling depression or academic pressures, insisting that any form of creative expression—whether it’s writing, drawing, or even dancing—serves as a valid coping mechanism. “It doesn’t matter what you do … even if you go to the beach and draw stick figures,” she recalled a lesson from her therapist, “It’s all about being a coping mechanism, not a competition.” Ultimately, she concludes that the act of creation should be for oneself, noting, “No one has to see it… Just do it for yourself.”
Source: Noah Wire Services
