Roy McCoy roy@robconews.com Robertson County News CALVERT — Chloe Findley has come a long way from growing up in Franklin to opening her own business in Calvert. She recently launched Taxidermy by Chloe, a studio putting a fresh, creative spin on taxidermy. Her shop is at 104 W Tindall Street, Calvert, TX 77837. A Franklin graduate, Findley initially went to Baylor University to study nursing and even got accepted into the program. But she realized her passion wasn’t in medicine — it was in creating. A job at a dove hunting ranch introduced her to taxidermy, and she quickly fell in love with the craft. In 2020, she trained under a professional at Ziggy’s Taxidermy in Uvalde, learning everything from sculpting and painting to anatomy. Armed with that experience, she decided to open her own shop in Calvert. At her studio, Findley works on everything from traditional mounts to creative turkey fans. She likens the process to cosmetology: sculpting, painting, blending — just on something a little different. Her work caught the attention of social media, too. Findley shares behind-the-scenes videos on TikTok and quickly gained tens of thousands of followers. She plans to grow on YouTube, offering educational content and maybe even classes down the line. Her business partner, Carson Grigg, also a Franklin graduate, hopes to eventually add a tannery and offer flat hides; then they plan to add hunting gear, and other custom products. Together, they want the studio to be a space that celebrates both craftsmanship and community. Findley has already earned recognition in competitions, placing second with her very first piece, and she plans to compete at the state and national level this year. Locally, she’s shared her craft at Franklin’s STEAM Night, showing students how art and science can come together in unexpected ways. “I truly love what I do,” Findley says. “Every day, I’m excited to come to work and create. I just want to share that passion and show the younger generation that there are so many paths out there — that you really can build a life around what you love.”