An Inspired Chat with Jean Parker-Renga of Fort Collins

We recently had the chance to connect with Jean Parker-Renga and have shared our conversation below.

Jean, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Something that makes me lose track of time-and find myself again, daily-is simply spending time in the yoga studio. 2025 has brought expansion to our community at Live Beyond Limit as we added another studio space. With this addition, we have been having a blast adding classes and workshops to our schedule. I am especially excited to have an official space dedicated to locally crafted items for sale in our loft shop, including items from my business, Lily’s Cocoon.
With all this newly acquired space, it has been very easy to get lost in new plans to provide more opportunity for our students. When I’m not teaching my yoga classes, I am spending extra time in the shop space not only allowing for the doors to be open more consistently throughout the day, but also to brainstorm new workshops to plan for in the new year. And this is where I’ve found the magic happening in finding myself. Being able to create classes for our students that help them grow in their personal journey is why I got into this business.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My name is Jean Parker-Renga, and I am the owner of Lily’s Cocoon, a Fort Collins-based business, where I create jewelry, arts and other crafts and share my passion of yoga with the community. Way back in 2003, I started Lily’s Cocoon as a jewelry business that I operated in my little apartment in Indianapolis, Indiana. Once I settled in Colorado in 2010, I was able to expand my vision to incorporate yoga classes, while also honing in my jewelry to be energetically charged gemstone pieces designed to support my customers with specific needs. In 2017, I also incorporated reiki services and in 2021 aerial yoga to my offerings to the Live Beyond Limit community and my clients.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I have to say my mother taught me the most about work. Growing up with a single mom made me realize the importance of a great work ethic. She worked hard in in a variety of jobs to make sure I was able to go to private school, and to make sure I went to college, a luxury she did not have herself. Ranging from factory work, to managing a gas station, to being a security guard, my mom always seemed to be on the job. We lived with my mother’s parents to help make the most of her wages, and to provide me with the childcare I needed from my retired grandmother. I will forever cherish the extra time with my grandparents, as they served more as true parents in my youth, but my mother gave my more than a strong work ethic from all her hours clocked in. She gave me the a sense of value for my time in this life. I knew that not only was I going to graduate from college, which I did in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in English from Indiana University, but I would make the life I wanted to live.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
The one kind thing I would say to my younger self is to be flexible in my dreams and ambitions for what I am to become as an adult. When I was in fourth grade, I thought I was going to be an elementary teacher. End of discussion. Well, I did start as an elementary education student in college, but only made it halfway before I pivoted my focus on English. Then I thought I would be an English professor until I took an elective my senior year in intro to yoga. Twenty-three years later, I can honestly say that I am proud of the past 13 years. I am a teacher, but of yoga students of all ages, not elementary school kids.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I would hope that my closest friends would say that my love of being a good mom, wife, and friend is what really matters to me. I’m the friend that they can count on to be honest with them, very loyal and always there for them. My ever-lasting drive for success in my jewelry and yoga business has helped me push through any bumps in the road to keep focused on what really matters-that I’m pursuing my dream every day I show up for work.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I was a person everyone was happy to know and adored because I was always there to be present in their lives, lift them up and maybe love them a little too much-known to always want just one more hug before I say goodbye.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lilyscocoon.com
• Instagram: lilys_cocoon

Image Credits
Jean Parker-Renga