Today we’d like to introduce you to LaShaias Durrah.
Hi LaShaias, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m 33 years old, mother of 3. I was raised in Fayette County, Ga. and graduated from Sandy Creek High School. I actually started off in the hospitality industry, I have always had a passion to help someone, to provide service or happiness in some way. Every morning at 3:00 AM, I used to get ready for work cooking in the kitchen of the Hyatt Place, where I meet some amazing people. While working there, I found I had a hidden talent for decoring and setting up events in the hotel meeting room. In my spare time, I would cook meals from home for all the employees so we could all sit down together party and eat. Even though I was in school working on my bachelor’s in business management I knew I wanted to have my company but I wanted to do something that made people smile.
After moving on from here and having three children, I truly needed to stay at home. I had never taken them to school or slept a whole night next to them. I was working and completing school at Georgia Military College. My youngest son at the time just had an open-heart transplant surgery and I did not feel comfortable leaving him with anyone. His father and I nursed him back to health at home after having surgery at Children Hospitals Egleston. My passion for helping others was all put into my son and setting up events took a back seat.
Once the pandemic hit, my job laid me off. I had to find another way to make money while still caring for my at home children. I returned back to the love I had for setting up events. Both my sons and I were coloring, and one said, “Mama your logo should glow” and I was like duh, there it is “Glow”.
While researching the party industry, I did not know exactly what I wanted to do but I had tons of event decor and ideas. I wanted to create a friendly site where consumers could come and explore items to create the ultimate party experience. One thing I always disliked about planning an event is that I had to have so many different vendors and charges to my cards. I wanted one place where I could come rent all the services and products, I would need to plan any kind of event. So, I started working on “Glow Atlanta Party Rental”.
We also offer a sponsorship for local Nonprofit organizations and foundations that are aimed to giving back to the community.
Glow Atlanta is a black-owned business servicing the Atlanta area and surrounding cities. Our inventory is always growing, from tables, chairs, props to our 360 photo booth experiences which we partner with two other small black-owned companies, mobile chefs, mobile bartenders and GlowATL Transportations, where you can tour the city of Atlanta in our slingshot vehicles this summer. We are going into our 2nd year of business, and we have so much more to offer to our consumers.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There’s nothing easy about it, work your heels off! The journey of starting your own business is hard, lonely but fulfilling. Stay focused! It’s a lot of people doing the same thing but everyone else cannot offer what you have to offer and that’s YOU!
I had nights when I just cried, days where I was dead broke from using my own money to buy products.
Some of my struggles along the way were finding the right people to hire trusting myself that this is the best option for my family.
STAY CONSISTENT!
We’ve been impressed with Glow Atlanta Party Rental, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the CEO of Glow Atlanta Party Rental, but I am also a worker lol I help out in all areas.
Glow Atlanta Party Rental is a black-owned business in Fairburn, Ga. serving the Atlanta area and surrounding cities within a 60-mile radius. We offer a wide range of party rental equipment, specializing in glow furnishing, chairs, tables, props, balloon decor. We also offer mobile chef services and bartending services!
Glow Atlanta is like no other, it’s a one stop shop for your event rental needs!
I am most proud that I have a brand lol Glow Atlanta is becoming a bigger and bigger household name amongst the community for the things we are doing for the community. I want “Glow Atlanta” the brand to be as big as Nike except you can’t keep my stuff. lol
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like best about Atlanta WOW! Is that even a question?
Music, Culture, Vibe, the LOVE, how it rains yet the sun still shines, lol.
Contact Info:
- Email: Glowatlevent@gmail.com
- Website: Glowatlanta.com
- Instagram: @glowatlantarental
Image Credits
Makeup: Jacquez @jusquez Hair: Shontae Durrah Styled: @jusquez Photo Cred: Jacquez @shotbyquez
