Today we’d like to introduce you to Lara Mamoun.
Lara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m Lara Mamoun, a 27-year-old award-winning Screenwriter, Director, Comedian, Designer and Entrepreneur. I was born in the States, but I spent most of my childhood living in between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. I was always drawn to business ever since I was three years old. I used to draw these cartoon bunny comics that I would then sell to my family. And as I grew older, I sold comic books at school and organized these carnivals in my neighborhood every year from the age of 11 until I graduated High School.
When I first moved to Atlanta in 2011 for college, I experienced a bit of a culture shock, but I have since come to appreciate all the many gems this city has to offer. Atlanta has since become my favorite city, and that’s why I chose to start my businesses here. I founded my Production company, ‘Colab Productions’ in 2017 and I launched my clothing line, ‘We The People Movement’ store in August 2020.
Has it been a smooth road?
When I first moved to Atlanta I missed my family a lot. It wasn’t easy being so far away from them, but I was lucky to have my older brothers here to help me get through it. I’ve been here for nearly a decade and I have since come to love this city and everything it has to offer.
This Pandemic was really hard to cope with, though. Everyday we’re faced with the crippling fears of losing the ones we love and not knowing what to do to protect them. I try not to get depressed by these troubling thoughts, but instead, I focus on all the positive things in my life and the work I want to accomplish while I’m on this Earth. I pour my heart and soul into everything I make, and I work hard on overcoming whatever obstacles come my way. Business isn’t easy, but over the years, I realized we need to always be open to learning, adapting and growing, in order for any business endeavor to become successful.
Please tell us about We The People Movement Store and Colab Productions.
I currently run two businesses, my production company, ‘Colab Productions’ and my clothing line, ‘We The People Movement’ store. I love working with ‘Colab Productions’ because I’m a Comedian and a writer, and our content is quite diverse, it ranges from comedic skits to documenting serious social issues. We produced a Dark Comedy mini web-series, called ‘We’re Making A Movie,’ which was well received by the Film Festival circuits, and our Sci-Fi Thriller short film, entitled ‘MyWorld,’ premiered at the Plaza Theatre in July 2020. By January 2021, we’re set to release two documentaries, with one concerning Atlanta’s Homelessness crisis and the other documenting the local George Floyd Protests.
When the Pandemic first started, we had to cease all production because of the new social distancing measures. I love working in the entertainment industry, but I needed to find something else to do in these unforeseen times. In my free time, I started working on these T-shirt Designs that could inspire and empower others. Activism has always been a passion of mine, and so I wanted to find a way to make money while also being able to give a portion of it to social issues I could help with.
In August 2020, I launched ‘We The People Movement’ store, a clothing line made for Activists, Creatives and Entrepreneurs. Beyond Fashion, we advocate for Social Change, which is why 10% of all of our earnings is donated to a different charity cause every month. Our focus so far has been on the Beirut Disaster Relief Fund, following the deadly August 4th blast that left Beirut with hundreds dead, thousands injured and over 300,000 people homeless. Most of my family lives there and they thankfully survived the blast, but we’re still affected by the pain and the trauma. Lebanon is a beautiful country filled with beautiful people that need our help and compassion; that’s why ‘We The People Movement’ store is proud to donate 10% of all its earnings to help support the Beirut Disaster, Relief Fund.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think Atlanta is a great city to kickstart any business in, especially if you’re working in the Entertainment and Tech industries. This city has a lot of wonderful opportunities to offer in those fields, and beyond that, there’s this warm sense of community you find here that will melt your heart and make you want to stick around for the long haul. Must be that Hotlanta sun or something, but let’s just say this city is pretty magical. So, if you’re a young Artist, Entrepreneur or just a Dreamer, and you’re looking to start your business, then this is the city for you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wemovementstore.com/
- Email: wemovementstore@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wemovementstore/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/colab.productions/
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
