Cats Eye Creative Reuse in the Words of Shay
By Mya Parr, March 2026
Check out Cats Eye Creative Reuse here.
What is a specific moment or experience you've had that shaped your company’s mission, purpose or values?
The seed for this space was planted a long long time ago before I even had any inkling that I'd open my own business. It was 2012, and I was a junior in college studying Interdisciplinary Visual Arts and Design at the University of North Texas when SCRAP Denton opened... a nonprofit art supply thrift store. I was immediately drawn to the concept and the mission of inspiring creative reuse & environmental sustainability through the lense of offering affordable second hand creative materials and educational programming. At the time, I thought I wanted to be an art educator, possibly an art therapist. So I was exploring different avenues and taking a variety of classes on the intersection of those things. I've also always been an avid thrifter and proponent of reuse and sustainability in general. So I quickly became a volunteer for SCRAP, and then in the coming years started working for them as a cashier, then the Education Coordinator, then the Donations and Volunteer manager. I was obsessed. It was my dream job (without the pay haha). During the 2020 pandemic, SCRAP was forced to close. So right before moving to Boise, I helped to liquidate the store and shutter it for good. It was such a disappointing outcome, and not the note I wanted to leave on. But in losing SCRAP, and simultaneously gaining my new life in Boise, the dream of giving something like this another chance in my new home town was sparked to life, and I have been working on opening up Cats Eye ever since! My mission, purpose and values align with what I learned through volunteering and working with SCRAP. I want to engage and uplift the community & encourage sustainable creativity by being an accessible, second hand resource for creative materials and affordable workshops. And I believe every city and town needs AT LEAST one creative reuse center :)
It's often believed that it's difficult to be purposeful AND profitable, what’s the “sweet spot” behind your business — the place where purpose and profit meet?
Being in my first year of business, the profitability factor is still something we're working on haha. But it is definitely a worthwhile endeavor that shows a lot of promise for growth and sustainability as we continue to be discovered by folks in our community. Being donation-based allows us to source all of our inventory at no cost. And let me tell you, folks are SO happy that we're here to take their unwanted creative materials off their hands. They feel good about donating to us because they know their materials have a much better chance of being discovered here and used by others, versus ending up in a landfill. We are fortunate to have no shortage of donations. Our purpose is to provide this service, which then directly gives us the ability to price materials affordably. It truly takes a village. Which is why part of our mission specifically is to engage the community. Engage them by encouraging them to be part of the solution to overconsumption, by keeping their unwanted, but usable materials in the stream of a circular economy by intentionally donating to us. Engage them by encouraging them to purchase materials second hand whenever possible. Engage them by offering workshops and other crafting events that have them interacting with reused materials, giving them ideas of what can be done with them. Which then hopefully carries over into other parts of their lives... that engagement is the place where purpose and profit meet. I am thrilled with how this first year has gone. For starting with such little capital and simply an "if you build it, they will come" attitude and perseverance, no paid advertising, and being a solo-run operation, I think Cats Eye has done swimmingly so far. Here's to being more profitable in year two!
How do you know when your business is truly doing good? Are there specific outcomes, data, or community impacts that affirm your efforts?
Honestly, this one I'm just feeling with my heart.. Obviously, monetarily, I want to be able to pay the rent, utilities, and all other expenses without worry of being short. And so far, we've managed to do that very well! When I get to the point of being able to pay myself the amount that I realistically need for my personal life, and then to the point of being able to hire some extra help, that will feel pretty significant. And I believe we're well on our way. But all of the words of affirmation and encouragement from customers and patrons about how happy they are that we're here, that "Boise needs this" - that's what keeps me going every single day. The initial struggle to start and grow a following has all been, and will continue to be worth it. And hopefully one day soon, Cats Eye will be the THRIVING, successful, small, community supported business that I know it has real potential to be!
Did any unexpected insight or turning point change how you approach your work?
Not that I can think of. Having worked in the creative reuse sector for years prior, I had a pretty good idea of how I'd operate, what many of my systems would be etc. I think the main thing I'm dealing with is learning how to juggle literally everything haha.. being the donations manager, the social media manager, the event coordinator, the accountant, and the cashier, provides little time and space to expand on ideas, strategy, and a growing vision. This first year has been all about taking things day by day. Making lists. Creating systems, flow and structure (still working on it!) Figuring it all out as best as I can. I've learned a tremendous amount about doing this thing, and I'm looking forward to taking all of the knowledge and experience I've gained this year into the next one.
What future do you envision for this type of work and space?
I envision it being a bustling hub for creatives, students, parents, and teachers - as it is already proving to be. I'd love to be able to provide at least two jobs in the near future. And with that, being able to utilize the classroom space for more gatherings, art shows, classes, potential drop-in studio use, open mics even. I want Cats Eye to not only be a second hand retail space, but a third space where folks can be inspired, connect with others, learn, share, etc. As a one-woman show, it's been difficult to bring all of my ideas to life within this first year of business. But I continue to take it one day at a time. If I'm able to secure some help soon, I'll have the ability to free up my time a bit to think more about strategy and future planning. Flash forward 5 years or so, maybe there's a second Cats Eye location ;)
And just for fun, what are you obsessing over right now?
I have been collecting "trinkets & tchotchkes" and other small bits of things that would otherwise be thrown away to create a large assemblage project that I plan to display in the store - hoping to debut it in the new year! I'm hoping to create a piece that serves as not only a work of art, but a prime example of creative reuse. Showing folks what can be done with their "trash". It's taking longer than expected. But I'm definitely obsessed with making it happen haha.
