Meet Alicia Ines Hernandez | Mother, Interior Designer, sometimes supervisor at GTA

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alicia Ines Hernandez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alicia Ines, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The thought process behind starting my business was very simple; I wanted to build something of my own, something that would help others learn through design. My business is not money focused, money is an important factor obviously, but more than anything for me is how can I assist other people to tap into that undiscovered creative part of themselves, design is everywhere even in the smallest things we are not aware of, we want to be in places and own things that make us comfortable and happy. My business is will be always driven by intention to teach design and have happy clients with the final product whether it’s a custom console table or an entire home.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started designing in an upholstery studio in LA called C & L designs while going to school for interior design right before the pandemic and was able to learn a lot about building furniture. After the pandemic and becoming a mom, I started designing independently for clients that I met through networking and social media, it was difficult to navigate because I didn’t have my own studio and had just had my baby, but I started building in my back yard with my dads help and sometimes my friends who were willing to jump in. I didn’t want to turn down clients because of the lack of space and machinery, I would just figure it out and never was afraid to ask for help. It’s been a journey but overcoming these challenges has open more doors today. As a designer I really like to be hands on through the build out process, it doesn’t stem from perfectionism but from wanting to learn the process and knowing what to expect with the final product.
Interior design is an acquired taste, a lot of people don’t pay so much attention as to how the spaces we spend a lot of time in affect our daily lives. Through my work, aside from achieving what the client wants, the goal is to always teach the clients something new through the design process. Majority of the time clients will show me what they want for their space and not know the style, some don’t even know what they want entirely.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First things first, I would do breakfast and coffee at Phanny’s in Redondo Beach, and then drive up to Palos verdes and take them on a hike, depending on the weather a day in manhattan beach to swim and then probably sushi from Pisces Sushi in manhattan beach, a day at the Broad Museum and definitely lunch at Canters and last but not least take them to dinner at Gjelina after exploring the west side.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My step mom and dad; Aura and Mario Hernandez, I wouldn’t be able to be a single mom and a creative without their support helping me raise my son and help push me to not give up on my career.

Instagram: @Maliiiciiia

Image Credits
By @corticopetal