What started as a childhood friendship has flourished into a successful decorative painting business. Shana Smith and Leanne Lee met in the sixth grade. They grew up together playing sports and that sense of teamwork they cultivated as children has become a way of life in their personal life and business.

Shana graduated with an Elementary Education degree from Southwest Missouri State University and a Masters in teaching from Webster University,and taught first grade for six years. During this time, Leanne completed her Bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of Kansas and was working in the marketing department of a Fortune 500 company.

In the years to follow, their friendship continued, they married, started their families (husband and three kids each) and became neighbors. Their careers
were fulfilling, but as their children arrived, they felt
the need to have more flexibility and considered
creating a business together. Leanne saw a program
on decorative painting while home on maternity
leave and a great idea was born!

They started small, doing projects for themselves and for family and friends. The response was encouraging and they took a leap of faith by making an investment in their future by attending a well known decorative painting school. After that, there was no turning back and WallWorx became the fruition of their dream to become business partners.

Since 1999, Wallworx has grown from a part-time business to a full-service premier decorative painting firm. Along with a crew of seven, they work with over
25 builders and decorators in the area to create award winning model homes, impressive new homes, and stunning remodels.  Since WallWorx inception, they have been commissioned to paint thousands of rooms,
(both residential and commercial).

The most exciting effort to move forward in new and positive directions for WallWorx is the creation of Studio WallWorx. The professional staff of WallWorx offers classes for the do-it-yourself homeowner and the decorative painting professional at our amazing new studio. Shana and Leanne definitely have a soft spot in their hearts for those who seek to learn decorative painting as they did so many years ago and want to offer the same opportunities to others in the Kansas City area and beyond. They are committed to staying at the top of their field with continuing education classes emphasizing the latest techniques and new products available for decorative painting.

Both clients and students benefit from their continued efforts to learn about everything that is available for today’s decorative painter. They have expanded their art palettes beyond walls, ceilings and woodwork to include countertops, furniture and interior/exterior flooring.

 In January 2007, Studio WallWorx became one of eight Certified Training Centers for Modern Masters Inc. This accreditation allows them to offer the Modern Masters Preferred Applicator Training Program in their studio.