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

Hi Deon, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process in starting Lucas Rags N Riches was the vision that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
It all started in Chicago where my mom is a personal shopper/Stylist and had her own retail business. She would bring my siblings and I with her to work and taught us the importance of appearance and always looking good when leaving the house. This is where is learned how to distinguish and appreciate the quality, fabric, brand, and style of fashion. Once I moved to Los Angeles as an actor, I also started styling friends in the entertainment industry. My sister and I started a retail boutique in DTLA in the early 2010s, before transitioning to E-commerce. I decided to revisit the idea of a brick and mortar store in the San Fernando Valley and opened Lucas Rags N Riches in March of 2023 in Sherman Oaks.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a trained actor and have worked in theater, film, and commercials. One of the prominent ways in which I express myself is via my artist, which includes how I dress and present myself. One of the things that sets me apart as an actor is my sense of fashion. I can recount several times that I was booked for an acting gig and after arriving onset, I would be asked to coordinate with wardrobe in dressing the other actors. This was definitely challenging at times because I had to wear 2 hats and focus on my character as an actor, as well as the looks of the other characters as a visionary. It was challenging yet exciting and rewarding. Some of the lessons I’ve learned along my journey is that true happiness comes with being content with your choices in life, both professionally and personally. In the beginning of my career, I would conform my image to what my agents and managers wanted me to present to the industry. After several years, I reached a point of true self discovery and decided from that moment on that I would use my unique sense of style as my secret weapon, of course followed with good work. I’d like World to know that Lucas Rags N Riches offers a touch of nostalgia wrapped in the unimaginable. We specialize in men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories in addition to small housewares. Every single item is carefully selected and curated which helps create a unique shopping experience for every customer. We also hold Champagne N Shop parties once a month on the 3rd Saturday.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
LA is one of my favorite cities for a multitude of reasons. Where else can I go swimming at the beach, ride through the desert, hike in the mountains, and ski on the slopes all within 24 hours!? Being a Chicagoan, I’m a foodie and LA has some of the best places to eat and thrift simultaneously. I really like the Holy Grail for sweets. They make the best fresh donuts right in front of you while you wait. I really like the Abbot Kinney area and Melrose and Ventura Blvd. Each offers a wide selection of various thrift shops and nice eateries such as Crossroads and places to get cold presses juices. One of my favorite pastimes is to open my Jeep and ride though the Hollywood Hills and anyone who visits me in LA will definitely get a nice tour of the hills and Runyan Canyon.

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?
I would first like to shoutout The Creator for blessing me with the talent and opportunities to live the life I desire. I’d also like to thank my parents; my father for being a great example of what it means to work hard and fight for what you believe in, and my mom for teaching me everything I know about fashion and thrifting. I’d also like to thank all the employees, friends, and local Sherman Oaks family for their continued support. We truly appreciate you and couldn’t do this without you!

Instagram: @LucasRagsNRiches

Yelp: Https://m.yelp.com/biz/lucas-rags-n-riches-san-fernando-valley

Other: Address
Lucas Rags N Riches
4366 Woodman Ave.
Sherman Oaks, CA. 91423

Image Credits
Deon Lucas

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.