Rex & Co. (fka Laura Bo Creative)

Author: Laura Rex

  • Tell Her I Hate Scary Movies…

    Tell Her I Hate Scary Movies…

    The below is an email I sent in response to someone who was part of a team dynamic I was getting to know. I was brought in because of my previous work. Edited for privacy.

    Here’s my take — FUCK NO. She can take her satisfaction and eat it. 

    As far as answering her questions, I could ask the same thing except I don’t have to. I will not spend more than 20 minutes addressing this situation past this email. 

    After that point, I will move along and do my thing, and do what I am good at (noted below). If she wants to play difficult, she picked the wrong person to do it with. 

    She knows how to do keywords – that’s cool. SEO, PPC, and Advertising are successful when the brand, the messaging, the platform and the target are aligned. Right now, based on what I have seen and heard — they are not. So let’s get on with it…

    *I think there are still some unanswered questions about Laura, and I think for me, those questions are do the skills that it takes to fill a concert hall translate to the skills that it takes to sell a subscription technology product?* 

    holy toxic hellhole. this is a fucking startup, and calling bullshit is an important part of my skillset.

    *And also, what functions would she perform?* 

    i don’t perform, and I am not a robot. I am a person, and clearly I am here to remind everyone that your product is also for humans.

    *I kind of struggled to get an answer out of her when I put that question to her when first we spoke. She said well I kind of do everything and so I said well do you do paid media and she said no I don’t do that and I said will you do PR and she said no I don’t do that* 


    The ability to do everything, and having a preference and/or skillset are NOT mutually exclusive. In the current context, I see that the best use of my time is to stop wasting time and resources. Let’s start with the messaging, solidify the audience on both the product front and fundraising part.  Pitch Decks -take that off of Founder X’s plate so they can focus on the product. Adjust and expand on the decks –  Work with you (Founder Z) to align the lanuguage in the upcoming fundraising campaign. Prepare for it.  Evaluate the current “resources” that are available that she still hasn’t made available and stop wasting everybody’s fucking time.

    *so is it content?* 

    yes

    *Is it business development?* 

    duh it’s a start-up in the fundraising and product development stage…

    *Is it email, social, higher level strategizing?* 

    all of the above, why is this even a question? Higher level strategy is the fucking top, it dictates the email, the social, the ads, etc. I don’t care how many fucking keywords you put in a website, if it doesn’t connect to the right investor or the user, or command some type of attention it’s wasted money. also impressions are trash.

    *And what support will she need?* 

    none from her. I will need information, and open communication from all parties involved if anyone expects me to stay on the project, let alone for free. ‘Founder X’ has been an absolute pleasure to interact with, and has provided me with plenty to dig into. 

    *Will she need design support, copy support, what is it?* 

    no, not at this point in time.

    *So those questions are still unanswered for me and I can’t full-heartedly give my blessing until those questions are answered to my satisfaction.*

    As previously mentioned She can take her blessing & satisfaction and eat it. 

    Cheers! 

    Me.

    P.S. As a Chief of anything, this is petty AF. Girl needs to do her research. The passive aggressive digs are sad. I am not here to prove myself. Her immediate need to defend and deflect is just screaming red flags at me. I will build a temp site myself at this point, a brand guide is future shit. The waitlist WILL be better, and people will TRUST your brand and product.

    death to the ego. call me whenever. 

    I am not meant for the land of corporate. that’s ok. all of this made me realize that I don’t do what I do for the credit, I’ve spent most of my career having other’s claim my work, sitting back waiting for someone to notice. But I’m not here for that these days. I noticed. I am the problem FINDER, gap filler, and solutions expert. I want to be in and out before I get bored. Those who have taken my advice have succeeded. I like to shake shit up, force people out of their comfort zones, and call it how I see it.

    END RANT. for now.

  • Creature Counts – WIP – Updated Nov 13 2025

    Creature Counts – WIP – Updated Nov 13 2025

    I want to add a “critter counter” or “creature counts” to the site this season, but in the meantime I have been meeting lots of new animals, bugs, birds, etc. since we arrived to upstate new york, (more on that in an upcoming post).

    Recently though I encountered a Masked Hunter Nymph (Reduvius Personatus) a type fo assassin bug according to the google lens search. [image coming shortly].

    They earned their nickname “dustbug” because they cover themselves in dust, lint & debris. It looked like a crawling dust spider when I first saw it.

    Anyway — i will be sharing the bugs & things we meet here with info, photos, etc. Additionally there will be an entire section for flowers. Historically these categories were referred to as Flora & Fauna.

    Heading into October in the Catskill Mountains we are seeing all the bears, we have a returning deer family of 3 that come to visit twice a day. The house we moved into in August was previously inhabited by chipmunks.

    November 2025

    The update was triggered by reviewing and updating a to do list when I noticed this post still talked about the house we were moving out of — LOL. We are in the process of moving again, and hopefully for the last time. The house we had moved into in August was not “previously inhabited by chipmunks as I mentioned above, it was INHABITED by chipmunks, mice, maybe a rat or two, barn swallows, and a lot of bugs. [read the full story in parts starting here].

    This house has crow visitors, cardinals, and lots of neighbors with dogs and cats from what I can see. It sits on 24 acres, and as winter comes I look forward to seeing it bare, and having the glorious opportunity to watch it come to life this Spring.

  • The Age of My Darkness

    The Age of My Darkness

    The age of my darkness is coming to an end — perhaps not forever but at least for now. The days are getting shorter, and the air is getting crisper. The birds are calling, and the trees gently whisper. The forest is a place to rest. I have found a place I can feel my best.

  • WORD SHIT: Persistent

    Persistent

    [pərˈsistənt] adjective

    continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.

  • WORD SHIT: Stubborn

    Stubborn

    [ˈstəbərn] adjective

    having or showing dogged determination not to change one’s attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good arguments or reasons to do so.

    Thoughts to come….

  • Unsolicited Advice: Natural Peanut Butter Packaging is WRONG

    First of all: shout out to Paul Brown, the guy who invented a tiny little valve that changed how stuff comes out of things back in 1991, I was like 3 years old at that point. Yet the ketchup people didn’t start using it until 2002. WHAT? Not to mention the guy made millions. But moving on….

    I am hoping that this message finds the people who work for the companies who make natural peanut butter. While I understand it is also generally stored in glass jars — that is a YOU problem to figure out. Call me when you are ready for product testers, but please look into this. We have rinsed and tested it ourselves, and it’s AWESOME.

    The oil sits on the top when stored in the cabinet. You can shake it up before use so it mixes well, and then squeeze it on whatever you want.

    For anyone who bought one of these peanut butter jar accessories, I am sorry for you. It would still create a mess in my kitchen, and I don’t want another kitchen “tool”. This one even got a write-up in the New York Times.

    Sincerely someone who appreciates convenience, but is also worried about the future.

  • WORD SHIT: Audacity

    Audacity

    [ôˈdasədē,äˈdasədē] noun

    1.a willingness to take bold risks.

    2.rude or disrespectful behavior; impudence.

  • WORD SHIT: Cautious

    Cautious

    [ˈkôSHəs] adjective

    (of a person) careful to avoid potential problems or dangers.

    (of an action) characterized by the desire to avoid potential problems.

  • WORD SHIT: Comply

    Comply

    [kəmˈplī/] verb

    (of a person or group) act in accordance with a wish or command.

    See also: Compliance

  • WORD SHIT: Compliance

    Compliance

    [kəmˈplīəns] noun

    the action or fact of complying with a wish or command.

    See also: Comply

  • WORD SHIT: Efficient

    Efficient

    [əˈfiSHənt] adjective

    (especially of a system or machine) achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.

    productive of desired effects especially : capable of producing desired results with little or no waste (as of time or materials)

    These days corporate beans are hyper-focused on productivity, efficiency and growth. Upon inspection of said beans, it appears that the more corporate the bean, the less efficient the bean.

    Let me explain:

    To be continued….

  • Undefined – Fear of Labels – part 1

    Undefined – Fear of Labels – part 1

    Context. Interpretation. Understanding. Judgement. Acceptance. Definition. Perspective. Experience. Knowledge. Algorithm. Rabbit Hole. Blinders.

    “What do you do?” is a common conversational question, it can have a variety of meanings, depending on the context of the question, the tone of the questioner, and the perception of all parties involved.

    I do a lot of things. Don’t label me. Don’t put me in a box. Don’t assume you know me based on anything.

    Are you an artist? sometimes. Are you a parent? Yes. Do you work? yes. What kind of work do you do? can you be more specific?

    I can’t take a compliment, because I wasn’t raised receiving them.

    It’s different now. I finally reached a point of realization, a place of knowing that I can’t control what anyone thinks of me, and I was never here to be approved. I know myself, I know who I am, I know what I like, I know what I am good at, I know my strengths and weaknesses. I am not here to be tolerated.

    To be continued….

  • Rex’s Room – The Original Concept Notes

    Rex’s Room – The Original Concept Notes

    In 2021 I set out to open a place in the neighborhood, it got lost in the chaos of life, and has since evolved, but these are the notes.

    It’s meant to be the village hub, about “It takes a village”.
    And I keep coming back to the mixing of generations and cultures. 
    A place for parents to be people, A place for people to be people

    Raise your hand if you have/want kids
    Raise your hand if you know someone who has kids
    Raise your hand if you have been bothered by kids in a restaurant.
    Raise your hand if you have judged someone with kids in a restaurant. 

    I would imagine there are a lot of hands raised right now…

    The vision had a corkboard wall dedicated to spreading kindness, joy, support, advice, as well as community resources like workshops, classes, etc.
    Write out the “manifesto” what would we write on the wall when you enter, what is the purpose, why are we here? 
    “Be gentle with other generations” – community board with notes –

    What is one thing you wish people would stop saying about your generation?
    What is something you don’t understand about other generations?
    Ask a question to another generation.
    And then also include a generation chart and polaroids of multi-gen visitors (self-submit).

    NOTE: How can we accommodate different generations?

    This led me down a path of research post-baby. Going to a restaurant with a baby was an extreme anxiety-inducing event for me. There had to be another way — I was given a book called Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff and it felt like fireworks and lightbulbs. Notes from an internet dive into related issues such as family dining and child development coughed up some of the below notes.

    Kids learn emotional regulation from us, but some of us don’t get to learn it from anybody else, so who are we supposed to learn it from? 

    “It’s that we all have different definitions of what is appropriate and expected in a public space, and often that changes depending upon the mood you’re in, the stress you’re under, and how the planets are aligned.” Via article on Scarymommy circa 2016/2020 here

    Bon Appetit Article Sources/Refs:

    https://www.todaysparent.com/baby/postpartum-care/the-excruciating-loneliness-of-being-a-new-mother/ (2018)

    https://www.vox.com/features/23191527/urban-planning-friendship-houston-cars-loneliness (2022)

    https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1745691614568352

    https://www.heart.co.uk/lifestyle/parent-sparks-debate-selfish-let-children-cry-restaurants/

    Quote to respond, which came from the original post via buzzfeed as of April in 2023 https://www.buzzfeed.com/rossyoder/restaurant-etiquette-for-2023

    Ross Yoder -> NY-based food editor. Say hello — ross.yoder@buzzfeed.com

    https://www.parents.com/is-it-ok-to-bring-kids-food-to-restaurants-7506891

    One solution could be to never go out to eat until your kids are in college. But then they miss out on the valuable lessons that can be learned in a restaurant setting, such as how to behave themselve

    s in public and use their manners. Another solution—sharing a meal or letting your kids eat off your plate.

    Using their manners article – 22 manners your kids should know? WHY? https://www.parents.com/kids/development/social/25-manners-kids-should-know/

    How restaurants can create a more inclusive experience for kids with autism article is here

    “The relationship between children and restaurants is always going to be slightly strained. It’s nearly impossible for a restaurant to cater successfully to everybody, and one of the most obvious clashing points is always likely to be that between young families and people who don’t like the presence of children.”  https://www.them-apples.co.uk/2010/03/should-kids-be-allowed-to-eat-in/

    https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Family/kristen-bell-lets-kids-order-nonalcoholic-beers/story?id=101661812

    What happened to American parenting?

    I spent the better part of 2020 at home with my boyfriend and my pets, online scrolling, consuming content, and being isolated like the rest of the world. My anxiety has skyrocketed. 

    “No parent goes to a restaurant and wants their child to misbehave. Not a single parent.”

    Every parent has a horror-story about a meal gone wrong – https://www.austinchronicle.com/food/2017-03-03/the-difficulties-of-dining-with-kids/

    “In many ways, the innovation of the children’s menu changed the ways that families move through public spaces, for better and for worse. Indeed, the children’s menu is the story of America, from Manifest Destiny to the postwar baby

    The Brain Dump

    Given my background in branding and marketing, I like to tackle strategy backwards. Here were my notes for an ad campaign and/or pitch deck about the project concept:

    Calling Ridgewood parents

    Rex’s room – a place for parents to be grownups and parent at the same time

    First and foremost we are kid fucking friendly. 

    The space was created for parents to be able to feel like an adult without having to find a sitter or feeling like they are disruptive in a regular cafe setting. 

    First time parent? We got you. 

    Thinking about kids? We got you.

    Looking for comfort classics? We got you. 

    Picky eater? We got you. 

    Call it a practice place. But we also serve beer & wine, seltzer and non alcoholic stuff DUH. 

    Private nursing rooms that are not a toilet. 

    Private stalls like rolo’s or something like phonebooth style for nostalgia (this would probably be more expensive since they would need to be soundproofed) 

    Sound Proof Space or Dining Space for a larger group, a meeting, etc. 

    Private events ?

    How to be a community space but also profit? 

    Minimal overhead & staffing

    Partner with local spots for vendors and food

    What kind of random shit do we sell that’s profitable?

    Easy classics 

    Drip coffee

    Chicken nuggets

    Grilled cheese Add apple

    How do you create a space that makes parents feel relaxed, and also is engaging enough for kids to stay occupied but not overwhelming?

    Interior design and sound muffling, ceiling design, 

  • WORD SHIT: Brilliant

    Brilliant

    [ˈbrilyənt] adjective

    1.(of light or color) very bright and radiant.

    2. exceptionally clever or talented.

  • Dear Parents – part deux

    Dear Parents – part deux

    The following was an email sent to the parent community at my kids school.

    Hi Parents & Friends!

    Laura Rex, back again with some updates, ideas and general thoughts.

    It’s a new year and for me personally it has been an absolute dumpster fire so far. If we haven’t gotten to know each other yet, that’s cool. There is always time. For those of you I have gotten to know, I appreciate you. We might not be cut from the same cloth, but everyone loves a good quilt. 
    Now let’s get some of the admin and reminders out of the way👍

    It’s Tuesday, and the 2nd Tuesday of every month is FAMILY NIGHT at The Seneca. After lots of chats with different folks, I am stoked to share that Family Night is becoming a weekly, we are adding a VCR for that nostalgic 📼 VHS goodness, and revamping some of the deals. Hope to see you there 🎉 


    The 2nd Annual *school* Auction will take place April 7-13 2025, and we need help with sourcing and collecting donations — There is a quick survey HERE for preferences and auction ideas, do me a favor please and check it out. If you have an idea, we want it! Want to promote your business, let’s do it! Know someone who might be interested, let us know!

    In Other News:  THANK YOU to everyone who donated to the parent fund. Back in November I used one of my awkward tokens to ask the community for a monthly contribution ($5/month was the suggestion), and I was blown away at the response. We raised $1100 collectively! ROUND OF APPLAUSE. 

    The $ will be covering the following: All teacher appreciation initiatives, Special events & Supplies (Holiday party, Spring Picnic, Moving Up Ceremony, etc), Ideas have been floated about Leaving a cushion for the crew next year to get started, or donating the leftovers to fundraising, Insert your COOL idea here (but really in the form I will share soon). 

    Let’s Be Real. Hi I’m Laura. 


    I believe that transparency is the best policy – so for me you get what you get at all times, in all places. I have ADHD, I’m on the spectrum somewhere, I am awkward, often loud, brutally honest, filled with love, ideas, and questions. I ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS. I use “curse” words regularly, and I do my best to not offend people, but I’m generally an unfiltered person. If you have met me, you’ve probably seen me cry (no shame here). 

    In 2024, the Surgeon General issued an advisory related to parenting, so if you are feeling alone in how stressful this shit is, YOU ARE NOT ALONE! 

    We were all people before we were parents. Parenting is fucking hard, and it has recently come to my attention that many of us have been looking for a village, a friend, or literally any type of connection — So let’s connect! 

    Please don’t mistake this for me expecting everyone to be my “friend”, but some of y’all peaked in high school and it shows. If I am not your cup of tea, no harm, no foul. You just keep doing you. However if you’d like to have tea or coffee, vent, rant, walk, etc. I’m looking at hosting it on Friday mornings after drop-off after break. 

    THE FUTURE IN 2025:

    In an effort to not exhaust myself yet again, or “over promise and under deliver” by attempting to do ALL of the things, I have put together a brief list of ideas, events, initiatives, etc. If something resonates, let’s find a way. Throw your expectations and assumptions out the window. I’m here for it. 

    Clothing Swap – As Springtime quickly approaches and everyone starts thinking about “spring cleaning”, a number of folks have communicated an interest in participating in a clothing swap. 

    School Retreat/Vaca takeover – Aiming for Spring break dates. More info coming soon. 

    Community Cookbook – I attempted this last year, made it WAY too complicated, and it got lost in the shuffle when the timing lined up with the auction, spring picnic, and the chaos of life. The goal was to create a communal resource of recipes and meals that our kids and families love, that are easy. We had a decent amount of responses, and I would love to share them with current, past and future families. 

    Parents Night Out Rotation – With coordination and communication, I’d love to explore giving parents a break for personal time, date night, or whatever TF you want to do with your time, while simultaneously fostering connections of the kids.

    Next week, you can expect another update/reminder about all of the things. Feel free to text me at any time, or shoot me an email  with your thoughts, questions, feelings, no matter how weird or silly they may seem. 

    Thanks for coming to my REX TALK – hope to see you out and about. 

  • Chasing Sparks

    Chasing Sparks

    Below is a part of an application I submitted in March 2024 for a guest residency spot in the neighborhood. I didn’t get the spot. It’s all just a part of the story, and the journey…

    —
    Hi there, I’m Laura Rex. I am looking to ignite my spark again. I am a maker and a dot connector. I find it hard to say I am just one thing, hence why I am applying under the multi-disciplinary section. I am a writer, an artist, a photographer, a creator, a designer. I am a dreamer and a doer. I am a parent and recently a wife. I found the Woodward residency while I was exploring the neighborhood — escaping my home office basement on daily walks during the pandemic. Your hope that members and guests feel energized to be there is my literal dream right now.

    A quick about me, the history – I am adopted, born in Nebraska. I was raised in NYC. I attended a boarding school in Vermont for 3/4 years of high school. Went on to study Communication Studies at SUNY Oneonta and found myself working with musicians at Gibson Guitars after graduation, time spent in the showroom lead to my first publication, a handful of venue reviews for a NYC Live Music Guide. Webster Hall was one of the venues, and I became enamored with the space. From door cashier to marketing director, and what we used to call “talent wrangler”. Post Webster Hall I made the move cross country solo, and lived in LA for a brief yet amazing year. Upon returning to NYC in January 2017, I found my current spot in Ridgewood, I found work in marketing, in hospitality and lifestyle, and ended up as the Head of Food & Beverage/ Marketing Manager at the McCarren Hotel up until covid.

    Long story short. I have been home for the better part of 4 years. I was lucky to have remote work in 2020 when the pandemic hit, which allowed me to become a parent in late 2021. Opted out of maternity leave. Ran myself dry trying to keep up with a toxic job + parenting and snuffed out my own light. I finally said NO MORE a year ago, and after a half-dozen attempts at quitting I was free in August 2023. I could see the light at the end. It was so close. The kiddo was going to be starting at wBees Forest School in September*, which turned to November. Such is life. Then holidays, sickness, more life. Last week was the first time I had a quiet space at home. I am exploding with concepts, ideas, and projects. I have dozens of “work in progress” projects.

    In an effort to stay close to home & my kiddo, I would be honored to land a guest spot at Woodward Residency. A new experience, a change of scenery, connecting with others are just the little bits I need to make magic happen and spur me to move through some of the projects I have been sitting on.

    I want to do cool shit. I want to create more. I want to focus and connect more. Some projects I would love to complete during my time there: 1.“What’s that sound?” A Children’s book/ book series that explores sounds and noises. Using photos, illustrations, and some engineering to create a board book that is interactive and educational and can also be a helpful tool for those with sensory issues.

    2. Club Kid Chronicles – A Coffee style table book that shares all of my stories from my days at Webster Hall (2010-2015). Coming up on 10 years out, I wanted to finally share polaroids, interviews, stories, and essentially never before scene stuff of some of the biggest musicians that passed through.

    3. Complete draft of the script/ screenplay for the book ‘I Was A Teenage Fairy’ by Francesca Lia Block.

    4. Building a catalog/ database of digital collage elements using IRL tools and mediums. Paint, marker, torn paper, etc. All of the things I use in my own collage pieces, but digitized.

    5. A view of Ridgewood through Playmobil – a photo series of different local businesses, and community scenes recreated using playmobil toys and building custom sets.

    At the end of the 3 month residency I hope to leave with my spark ignited and a clear vision of my my creative path, maybe even something tangible to show for my time there. A pop-up event, a draft of a book, the completed design for a new community co-op, at this moment I am not quite sure, but when I get there I’ll know.

    I am not sure if this personal letter is too much, or not enough. 700 words feels hard, and I am very out of practice. I saw the application deadline post on social a few days ago, and I will not let fear and doubt hold me back from trying. I am currently in the midst of a website overhaul, most pages are hidden, but I shared over a link to some projects I have done.

    — 

  • Perspective on Industry Experience

    Perspective on Industry Experience

    Industry Experience Perspective

    Recently I was thinking about resumes, the rules for job applications, the interview process, and the absurdity of what minimum qualifications are theses days. How your experience and experience for a specific industry to Industry.

    And it made me think about how I’ve been in so many different Industries and that’s a large part of the reason I’ve been successful in past roles. Not to mention if I am interested in something, I will absolutely believe I am capable of doing it and learning how to do it on the fly.

    Why do you want someone that’s only been in one industry, or doing the same thing at the same place for like 10 years? That seems unbearably narrow-minded and honestly counterintuitive when you really think about it.

    New hires, consultants, contractors, vendors, etc. are generally brought on when a company is experiencing growth or is stuck.
    You’re bringing them on to either fill a gap, expansion or because of what you think you know about their expertise and experience in a role/industry.

    Too many brands are ignoring the aspect of curiosity.

    A new hire, a new contractor, or any new relationship should bring new things to the table.

    A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. A NEW SOLUTION.

    Both of those things often come from experience working in different Industries, roles, companies, teams. Someone who can look at a problem differently, flip it upside down and shake it the fuck up.

    That’s the point. The basis of it at least. I will come back to this…

    To be continued – with examples…

  • WORD SHIT: Raw

    Raw

    [rô] adjective

    1.(of an emotion or quality) strong and undisguised.

    2.frank and realistic in the depiction of unpleasant facts or situations.

  • Fire Me Up – Feelings

    Fire Me Up – Feelings

    At any point in time I woud rather have big feelings, and feel all the things then feel nothing.

    Yes I get fired up about things — It should be more alarming that there are people who feel nothing.

  • How to overcome stupidity.

    How to overcome stupidity.

    This morning I asked myself if it was possible to overcome stupidity, and perhaps the word close-minded would be better suited for the true question. Is it possible to explain something in a way that will make the person understand, care, or empathize?

    Less then an hour later, upon opening my Instagram for a brief moment of doomscroll, a quote by Mark Twain was front and center.

    No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot.
    – Mark Twain

    The quote itself was set to a chill instrumental version of gangsta’s paradise, with a black and white video of water crashing behind it.

    It was in that moment that I was reminded yet again on how much energy is wasted when I attempt to explain my perspective to someone who gives no fucks about it. For now the goal is to focus on recognizing and bringing awareness to myself when I begin to spiral into explanation. To stop. Take a moment. Say nevermind and walk away.