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

Hi Chris, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I’ve always approached risk with a sense of caution. When I was growing up, I watched as my father took calculated, well-timed risks that always seemed to pay off for him. It seemed like he had mastered the art of risk taking and I thought everything he touched turned to gold. In my eyes, he never made a wrong decision when it came to business. I admired him and was inspired to follow in his footsteps. However, in my efforts to also take calculated risks and make perfect decisions, I found myself overthinking and overanalyzing, which I justified in order to avoid making a single wrong decision.

Today, I still rely on thorough analysis and research, however, with practice I’ve been able to become much quicker to make decisions when the data supports it. Most importantly, if it doesn’t work out as planned, I don’t let those decisions live in the back of my mind anymore. In contrast, my wife, Laurie, is the complete opposite of me in this sense – she only sees opportunity. Having that boundless optimism to balance out my analytical thinking has proven to be a powerful combination that allows us to take inspired, data driven risk together in our collective of small businesses.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My wife, Laurie, and I, own a collective of small businesses that span through multiple industries. I play an active role in each business and I’m very hands on. For instance, at our real estate brokerage, Lux Box Agency, which is managed by my son and his wife, I am the acting broker. The expertise I bring to this business stems from my extensive background in real estate development, including the creation of subdivisions, the construction of custom homes, and the management of multifamily and commercial properties. I’ve also been involved in countless remodels, which allows us to navigate the complexities and nuances of real estate with ease. That hands-on experience enables me to address challenges directly and offer practical decisions swiftly.

In addition to Lux Box Agency, we own House of Lolo, a women’s clothing boutique that has recently expanded to now include both a men’s collection and a baby collection. To be honest, I offer little skill in sourcing the styles in this business! Laurie is the true creative force behind House of Lolo and her creativity when it comes to styling outfits is inspiring to witness. She elevates the business through her carefully curated selections, making House of Lolo a distinctive shopping destination. My value here comes in the form of shaping the spaces and pieces that the clothes are displayed in or on. I can design and build, by myself, a custom door, or custom furniture piece or even a display to make our retail space really special. Together, our combined talents enable us to present a thoughtfully curated product within a beautifully designed space, providing customers with a truly unique shopping experience.

We also own an interior design studio and furniture store, Lolo Interiors, which is where Laurie and I truly find our groove. Interior design feels like home to me, having grown up in the industry, and Laurie’s passion for design is undeniable. She envisions breath taking, inspired design that evokes emotion. Meanwhile, my practical knowledge is more in those nitty gritty details of construction, materials and best practices for construction while also understanding fabrics, stains, paints, patinas, etc…. Laurie jokingly calls me the “dream killer” as her designs sometimes defy real world construction possibilities or actual physics. But together, we thrive on the challenge, collaborating to create something that is both extraordinary and timeless.

Whether working on ground up construction design, remodels, landscapes, pools, cabinetry, or even all the way down to fabric, wallpaper and linen choices – we excel in bringing a holistic vision to life. If you want a home that is unique, timeless, sexy and livable … we got you! We take great pride in what we’ve built, and in the seamless integration of all our brands. The journey has been far from easy, but it has undoubtedly been the most fulfilling business experience of my life. Laurie and I work really hard at our own personal relationship, and we bring that same approach to the brands we have created. Though each business operates in a distinct industry, they complement one another beautifully, and together, they tell a cohesive story.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For a weeklong retreat, we must make a trip to the Temecula Wine Country and have tastings at Bottaia and Ponte Winery. Followed by a stop at Temecula Olive Company for a tasting and to pick up their latest infused or reserve olive oil. After heading back to the Coachella Valley, we would attend any event or concert that is happening daily, somewhere in the valley. During the season – they are plentiful! Of course, food would be a big theme for the week. Some of our favorite places are Workshop Kitchen & Bar, Sandfish Sushi, Bar Cecil & Mr. Lyons in Palm Springs.

If just for a day…..we would start at our house with pour over coffee from Heart Roasters, and a breakfast of fresh artisan sourdough bread made from my own starter, served with your choice of toppings being either unsalted butter w/mixed berry jam and sprinkled with flake sea salt, or smashed avocado sprinkled with nuts, sliced stone fruit, sliced cherry tomatoes, drizzled with fresh local honey and garnished with dill, flakes of sea salt & fresh cracked pepper. From there, we’re heading up Highway 74 in Palm Desert to hike the Art Smith Trail, taking in those stunning desert views. After the hike, we would stop by Baby’s Marché in Indian Wells to pick up a gourmet lunch of to-go sandwiches so we can eat on the golf course while playing 18 Holes at Indian Wells Resort. After an afternoon on the golf course, we would freshen up at our house and then walk over to The Pink Cabana in Indian Wells for dinner and cocktails. We would end the day back at our house with a glass of wine, sitting around the fire pit, laughing, and telling stories.

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?
Both my parents and my wife have had massive impacts on my personal growth and success. My father nurtured curiosity, hard work and a commitment to mastering my skills. My mother, on the other hand, had unwavering faith in my abilities and was always quicker to say “yes” to my ideas – and that support was critical for me. As a kid, I had different entrepreneurial ideas like raising pigs and cows, which my dad graciously guided me in with the farmer and business knowledge to make it happen. We also worked together on our Christmas tree farm where my father and I would split the work and the profits. Following those ventures, I eventually worked at our main family business installing appliances, leading remodels of homes and delivering furniture to clients.

My early college years were spent on construction job sites as my dad ventured into multifamily and commercial real estate. Unfortunately, after my dad passed away from ALS, I had a career and confidence crisis. Despite going on to accomplish larger projects than I had ever imagined, I struggled to maintain focus and deeply missed his wisdom as the years passed.

I’ve always had an “I can do that” attitude, which led me to say yes to too many opportunities. After a while, I found myself spread across too many skillsets and too many projects. That spread created a broad focus that slowly bred anxiety instead of confidence in all that I was doing. It was at this crossroad in my life that I met my wife, Laurie. Her optimism and belief in my abilities pulled me out of my own head. My anxiety quickly subsided, and my focus narrowed. Today, I wake up each morning energized and excited for the day, focused on what we are doing, and at peace, knowing my skills are fully engaged. And in the midst of it all, my curiosity to learn new things is as strong as ever.

Website: https://www.lolointeriors.com

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

Other: https://houseoflolo.com/

Home


https://www.luxboxvacationrentals.com/
https://www.instagram.com/houseoflolo/
https://www.instagram.com/luxboxagency/
https://www.instagram.com/lolointeriorsbuild/
https://www.instagram.com/ifyouknowyouknow.podcast/

Image Credits
All photos were taken in house by our team at Lolo Interiors.

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.