By Patience Palmer
Taylor Reid is an 18-year-old grade 12 student enrolled in Prince Charles Secondary School and is a lover of all things metal. Through grades 8 - 12, Reid has immersed herself in the art of metal and has shown incredible talent thus far.
From a young age, she loved the outdoors and was not afraid to get her hands dirty. She enjoys hands-on activities and is very passionate about her work. At the age of 16, Reid made the brave decision to start her own business. Since then, Rotten Monkey Metalworks has really taken off in the Creston Valley and has been running for a full two years.
But it wasn’t all ‘sunshine and rainbows’. As with so many good things, it simply started with a dream. Reid recalls it was just another normal day in the metal shop. During the class she was encouraged by her teacher, Todd Hawton, to try the plasma cutter for the first time. It didn’t take long before she’d mastered the technique, and she was very proud of her progress.
“I told my parents after school that I got to use the plasma cutter, and I needed ideas on what to make,” Reid said. “So, we began looking online and found the image of a cut-out tree, so I was like ‘that’s cool!’”
In the metal shop, Reid carefully crafted her masterpiece, added the finishing touches, and brought it home to show her parents. Delighted with what she’d accomplished, they encouraged her to advertise it online. Following their advice, Reid put her product on Facebook. One thing led to another, and before she knew it her business had flown off the ground and into the clouds.
Her intricate, beautiful designs appeal to people of all ages.
“I don’t really have a targeted audience,” Reid said. “My work appeals to anyone who enjoys metal or neat-looking stuff. You can do whatever with it — put it outside, hang it on your wall, anything you want.”
Reid’s business name, Rotten Monkey Metalworks, is derived from her own, personal nickname. Friends of her family have called her Rotten Monkey since she was a young child. Naturally, the name stuck and became a perfect fit, making it unique and special, just like her.
There have been many people who have helped her to make this dream a reality. Local businesses have stepped up, including Canfor, which supplies the blades needed for crafting her product. “They (Canfor) are a huge help to me,” Reid says. “Without them, my art wouldn’t be unique.”
Her parents have also been a huge support to her. They assist her with budgeting and other aspects that Reid struggles with managing alone. The shop teachers at PCSS have also been very supportive and helpful to Reid through her journey.
“Mr. Hawton has always been my number one supporter. He’s the one that got me into it. He’s the reason I’m here in the first place.”
(This is the first submission by PCSS student and aspiring journalist Patience Palmer, who will be writing more stories for the Advance in the coming months.)
