We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Lougee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I’m really happy you asked me this question. Last year in 2022 I really experienced all the phases of burnout. For a long time, honestly since I started modeling, I said yes to everything. Every creative outlet that I could do, I said yes to. Overtime, I started to become less inspired by projects and feel numb to any opportunity that was coming my way. In 2023 I decided that this was my year for refining exactly what I want out of my career and life. Now I look at work life balance very strategically. Where as before – I definitely was not strategic, I was just a yes man.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Okay wow! So much to unpack here. I started my own company The Vintage Virgin, about two years ago fueled by my love for jewelry. I rework and repurpose vintage designer and make it new again! For example, I will take an old Chanel couture button, set it in gold fill, and voila! A new pendant is made.

The number one lesson I have learned with all things creative is that there is always a solution. It may not be super conventional, but figuring it out and having the patience to work through it is the key.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A great weekend in my eyes:

-Wake up, go for a hike.
-Come back home, go to Great White for lunch
-Walk Abbott Kinney and do some shopping
-The Nice Guy for dinner
-late night at Desert 5 Spot

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?
There are so many people I would credit my success to. I dedicate this shoutout to my friends. Specifically, my highschool and college friends. If I had one piece of advice, it would be to find a community that supports you. I think a lot of my confidence has come from the people I have surrounded myself with. I also want to note that these people will tell you the hard truth when you need to hear it.

Website: https://thevintagevirgin.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alougee

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.