October 2025 Member Spotlight: Denise Gehrke

Denise Gehrke – Fire Girl Design

I'm Denise Gehrke and my journey into entrepreneurship began in an unexpected way. After surviving a car accident, where I literally caught on fire, my life was forever changed. When I couldn't return to my old job, I had to find a new way forward and creativity became that lifeline. So, out of that difficult time came Fire Girl Design, a name that honors both my story and my resilience. Creating art became a way to express creativity but also a way to reclaim joy and build something meaningful out of a challenging experience.

Fire Girl Design grew out of that turning point and today I create personalized tumblers and wooden decor that brings color and happiness to people's lives. Some of my favorite projects are custom orders, where a customer brings me the seed of an idea and I get to grow it into a tumbler they can't wait to use or give as a gift. Every piece I make is a mix of practicality and personality, designed to be something useful but also something that sparks a smile. Each piece is crafted with care, color and a touch of fun, with the goal of helping people celebrate the small moments that make life special.