About Us

Refynery is a place where ambition, ideas, and energy are put under fire and pressure until they emerge sharper, stronger, and impossible to ignore. Existing at the intersection of culture, connection, and creation, Refynery shapes experiences that are as intentional as they are unforgettable.

Brand Ethos

  • Outline of a faceless man in a suit and tie framed by an arched decorative border.

    Refined Confidence

    We move with purpose. Our work exudes polish and presence—confident but never cocky, elegant but never stiff.

  • Outline of a clock with a globe at the center, featuring Roman numerals around the clock face.

    Cultural Fluency

    We see culture as connective tissue. Diversity isn’t a checkbox; it’s the pulse of every story we tell and every space we build

  • Line drawing of a lotus flower inside an arched frame with decorative elements at the bottom.

    Sensual Precision

    Details matter. Mood, motion, and meaning are meticulously crafted to awaken the senses and linger long after the lights come up.

  • A stained glass window featuring a simplified ghost figure with two circular eyes, surrounded by an arched frame.

    Community Power

    We believe belonging is a luxury—and everyone deserves access. We build bridges between people, ideas, and impact.

A woman with curly blonde hair blowing bubbles and smiling at the camera, with a shiny background.
A woman and a man engaged in conversation in an office setting. The woman has blonde hair tied back and is holding a notebook, while the man is seated, wearing a navy blazer and striped shirt, smiling and gesturing with his hands.
A young man with brown hair and a beard working on a MacBook laptop at a wooden desk in a modern room with glass walls.

Refynery is for those who feel it first—the creators, the connectors, the culture shifters.

We work with Entrepreneurs and executives refining their presence and purpose Brands and organizations building experiences that leave an imprint Communities, allies, and individuals who crave connection with intention If you live for good design, deep conversation, and unforgettable experiences— you’re already one of us.

A woman with long, straight reddish-brown hair sitting on a brown leather sofa, gesturing with her right hand while talking. She is wearing a black shirt with text, a beige coat, and black shiny pants. There is a black pillow with a white lightbulb and dollar sign design on the sofa.
A man with glasses smiling, wearing a dark blue blazer and a light pink shirt with a tie, against a plain gray background.

Meet the Founder

Darien Marion-Burton (they/them) is a strategist, storyteller, and cultural architect who believes the best brands—and the best lives—are built with intention.

After leading as Executive Director of the Oak Park–River Forest Chamber of Commerce and founding the award-winning marketing firm D.M. Burton, Darien created Refynery as a home for the bold and the curious.

They’re known for their ability to turn chaos into clarity, ideas into movements, and moments into magic.

At their core, Darien believes that authenticity is the ultimate luxury, and Refynery is their invitation for others to live that truth out loud.Darien’s work is driven by one belief: extraordinary experiences don’t happen by accident—they’re crafted with intention, pressure, and a little bit of excess. With Refynery, he’s building more than a studio—he’s creating a platform and a movement for the unapologetic to burn bright and leave legendary.