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

Hi Lauren, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Since I was a child, I always had a love for fashion! My grandmother was the epitome of a fashion icon in my eyes. She always carried herself with such dignity, poise, style, and grace. She also was an entrepreneur, a self-taught pianist, who worked for herself since I could remember. Upon my late grandmother falling ill in 2014, I expressed to her that I wanted to pursue a career of some kind in fashion and she adamantly urged me to go for it. Her words were the ultimate blessing and encouragement I needed to step out on faith and pursue my dreams. When she passed in August 2014, my promise to both her and myself was to follow her guidance and make her proud. About a year later, on December 17, 2015, Vintage LaFleur was born! I wanted to be sure that my online boutique embodies all things that I love about my grandmother. The name, Vintage LaFleur, pays homage to her Bahamian roots and being the youngest and last surviving sibling out of 7. The official launch date of the boutique was on her birthday. And of course, she was my favorite style fashionista with an entrepreneurial spirit! One of my favorite memories of my grandmother was that she would always pick me up from school wearing a sweat suit with high heels! I would smirk a bit but she was the FIRST woman I ever saw make that combination work and do it with so much confidence! Fast forward to now, what I used to smirk at is now the “NEW” trend in fashion. She was my primary inspiration behind starting my own business because she was a trendsetter, a risk taker, and her own boss.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Right now, I’m super proud and excited about the custom tie dye pieces that I offer to my customers. They are allowed the freedom to be the creator/designer and I simply execute their vision. This allows for individuality and I get to do what I love in the process. It’s definitely a WIN WIN for everyone! Honestly, the fashion industry can be very competitive and intimidating. However, I’ve had to learn that there is NO such thing as “over saturation” when you are doing what you love and setting yourself apart from the rest. You almost have to have tunnel vision when it comes to your passion. This journey definitely has NOT been easy but I make sure that I never give up. Have I had SEVERAL moments when I stumbled?? Absolutely, but that’s to be expected as a creative. It’s really about making sure that after you stumble, you get back up! Identify those stumbling blocks, refocus, change your trajectory, if needed, and keep pushing.

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.
Due to COVID, I’m definitely missing the life that used to exist in Los Angeles. However, if everything was back to normal, a week long trip would include going to one of my favorite places to dine, Quarter’s Korean BBQ in Korea-town. For a great glass of wine and charcuterie, we would venture over to Wally’s in Beverly Hills. I definitely would include a few stops to museums or pop up art exhibits like 29 Rooms. A rooftop brunch is always a must at Perch. Also, you can’t have trip without a spa day at Burke Williams. A sunny day at Zuma Beach or even a day trip to the local winery (Rosenthal Winery) always makes for great fun! 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 want to personally thank my family and friends for their unwavering love + support! And a very special shoutout to the inspiration behind it all, my grandmother, Gwendolyn Ophelia Smith! Love you and miss your dearly!

Website: www.vintagelafleur.com

Instagram: @vintagelafleur

Twitter: @vintagelafleur

Facebook: @vintagelafleur

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