Lauren Venell is an independent designer, artist, and small business consultant from San Francisco, whose plush toy designs can be found in stores throughout North American and Europe. Her work has been published in titles by Chronicle Books, Klutz/Scholastic, and Quarry Books, and featured in several media outlets including The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, Everyday with Rachel Ray and on Canal+ Television.
From 2009-2011, Lauren co-founded and programmed the Conference of Creative Entrepreneurs, and currently teaches small business workshops through WorkshopSF. She also contributes in-depth small business articles to several creative blogs, including design*sponge and Craftzine. Lauren lives and works with her husband, Andy, and her ornery parrotlet, Elvis.