Jo Burrough grew up with a thrifty mom who introduced her to the concept of looking amazing without spending too much money. Shirley enjoyed sewing clothes for her and Jo, and they’d often shop for textiles, thread and finishes at “Joann Fabrics.” Shirley would take time to demonstrate the features of each textile, and how to place patterns and cut the fabric to sew. Jo still remembers the smell of the motor of her mom’s Singer sewing machine, and looking at all the buttons in her mom’s “button jar. At age five, Jo began sewing on her own miniature machine. Although she loved fashion, she was obsessed with music, playing every song she knew without music scores at age five. At age 3, she started drawing exactly what she saw in the TV Guide’s weekly drawing contest. Her first drawing was of Bugs Bunny, which looked exactly like the magazine illustration. Shirley didn’t believe Jo drew the character, until Jo repeated the sketch in front of her.
Although Jo was plagued with childhood Lupus, her days were filled with writing her own books at age four, learning to read music at five, and sewing with her mom’s guidance. Some of her most enjoyable memories were of modeling huge bags of clothes donated by the mothers at church. School wasn’t very fun, and Jo’s teachers phoned to tell her mother that Jo payed very little attention in classes. Shirley was exasperated and asked why she wasn’t listening and learning in class. Jo simply said, “I was composing music in my head,” and she’d sit at her beloved piano and play the pieces for her mom. Although blessed to earn her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Michigan State University, she was forced to leave her doctoral program and research and instruction position because her Lupus became too severe. For the next 28 years Jo grew deeply depressed about not finishing her Ph.D. But slowly, she began to learn the art of crafting her own jewelry, and how to market and sell her pieces, beginning her brand, ShopAtLuxe. She believed people should not have to spend a great deal of money in order to be fashionable, and that jewelry should be affordable. Throughout the following years, Jo battled her illness, depression and homelessness- but she fought back and beat these struggles. Today, Jo has expanded her line to include jewelry, candles, spa and beauty items, and intimate gifts. When she feels overwhelmed at times, working full time for the US Department of State, and maintaining ShopAtLuxe and the Sultry Club, she remembers how both of her parents carefully budgeted in order for their children to have a great education, and were both able to open their own corporations. Jo remembers the late nights her parents spent on their businesses, and the stress they endured. In 2026, Jo will be opening her ThomasJane Boutique, honoring her Irish grandparents, Thomas and Jane Sheridan. This boutique will feature high end products, as well as upscale 3D printed home decor from her partner, retired Newport Beach CA tattoo artist and business owner, Ardee Allen.