Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Allen.
Hi Lauren, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had access to explore my talents and cultivate the creative spirit I was born with. My mom was a big advocate of letting me try my hand at really anything until I found my niche. And I do mean anything from golf, tennis, and basketball (I was terrible lol) to dance, art and piano lessons. I fell in love with dance and thrived in things that allowed true creative expression. One of my godmothers bought me a few cameras while I was in high school so I got to try my hand at photography. It’s a beautiful thing to articulate my thoughts and feelings in a way that’s unique to who I am without ever saying a word.
During senior year of college, I decided to focus less on my passion for dance and more on making as much money as I could to live the life I wanted. I entered into the corporate arena of the insurance industry and honestly thought I was going to be the rich, kid-free auntie, who traveled the world but my path included other plans. After the birth of my first daughter, I felt a drive and a push for more that I’ve never felt before. Her birth re-birthed my desire and passion to create by any means necessary.
My friends and family were all professionals in their own right and would often ask me about everyday styling options and accessories to wear. I’ve loved fashion since visiting Paris as a child and had been big on accessories since freshman year at Tennessee State University. Picture the big, colorful plastic earrings, necklaces, headbands and bracelets or the extra wide belts of the early 2000s. That was me!
I combined my love for my daughter, creating what I wanted, and helping others and gave way to Lala Deaux Accessories. I had this master plan for the profit I’d make from my business and my plans are still in place. But for now, I’m enjoying sharing pieces I’ve personally curated for my shop with people from right here in my hometown of Atlanta to Los Angeles, California and everywhere in between. Seeing our customers choose and style our Deaux to fit their personalities is the icing on the cake! I want people to express themselves and feel like the baddest one in the room with our accessories.
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?
I wouldn’t say it was smooth but it was full of growth opportunities for me personally. The biggest struggle was figuring out how to run a business while also starting a family with my husband. The mom guilt would set in and I’d wonder if I should give up this newfound outlet. I hit an even bigger struggle in losing two children to miscarriages during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. At the time, I was in my second year of business and experienced substantial growth but personally, I was trying to make my way through the mental and emotional rollercoaster that comes with such a tremendous yet unexpected loss.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
During the day, I’m a Manager at a Fortune 50 company. I rely on creative use of words to motivate and lead. At night, I’m a mom/wife and the owner, buyer, marketer, photographer, etc. of an accessory company. We specialize in finding pieces that are fun, bold, and/or incredibly chic to complement the everyday looks our fashionable clientele.
While personally known for my gift of dance, I’m professionally known as the one that gets things done and doing those things very well.
I’m most proud of the woman I’ve become and the legacy I’m working towards for my daughters. Showing them that it’s ok for things to not be perfect and to take time to rediscover, reevaluate, and readjust their plans however many times it takes to be true to who they’re destined to be.
What sets me apart from others is what I like to call the “Phoenix effect”. The passion I have for the things I love and desire is insatiable and transforms with me at every twist and turn I take.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’m a believer in what you put out is oftentimes returned to you and sometimes that’s 100-fold. Throughout my journey so far, I’ve had many opportunities that brought me to my current season. I’ve fallen short and I’ve succeeded. I’ve been blessed and sometimes I’ve questioned why things happen the way they do. Both in life and in business, I slow down and spend time with the good and the bad to determine what I can learn from it and use it to grow. No luck involved.
Pricing:
- Prices for Lala Deaux Accessories ranges from $15-$200
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shoplaladeaux.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/shop_laladeaux
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laladeaux
Image Credits
Lauren Allen
