Meet Shalandrea Houchen | Founder of What’s Ya Vibe?/Art Director/Entertainer

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

Hi Shalandrea, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk has been my life. At-risk black kid, at-risk black woman, at-risk American. I’ve faced every risk as an opportunity to excel. I also love risks, because I grew up in as an at-risk of well, everything; risk is my natural state. I moved to NYC with two hundred dollars in my pocket when I was twenty-one years old knowing every risk. I also subconsciously knew that pushing through those thoughts of fear and doubt would give space to every blessing I received. Risk is necessary for growth in my life and in my career.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an artist/entertainer that likes to use each of my creative instruments to uplift women, inspire children, encourage black people and spread love through humor. Currently I own Shay Renee LLC, and under that What’s Ya Vibe?

What’s Ya Vibe? Encourages you to never lose your inner child by creating activating spaces and incorporating art culture. My expression is my mind, heart and soul displayed. I started sharing my art as an outlet after my mom passed.

After her sudden death, I found myself not being able to control all my thoughts and having to get them out on paper. Sometimes they’re satirical, sometimes sad and sometimes joyous, just as life is. Whatever feelings or thoughts I’m working out they turn into some sort of a show.

I’ve learned to always speak my truth no matter if it seems far fetched because there is always someone that needs to hear it.

Speaking truth isn’t always easy. In my debut project, What’s Ya Zodiac? I built 12 rooms based off each zodiac sign with floor to ceiling installations. In each room was a different featured local artist. This was built in 4 days and sold 832 tickets. It ran for 7 days and the staff was myself with friends and family. Difficult is an understatement. I paid thousands of dollars for PR and the company hired not only ran off with the money but also didn’t do the job. The day I put two and two together, I hustled. I got on my phone and starting messaging literally all of NYC. By the 6th day we were NY Times mentioned with each guest running around with so much joy.

I’m not the artist or business woman that got any blessing with ease. I’ve always worked hard and learned my lessons in such “hard” and sometimes costly ways.
My work ethic comes from my parents but also from spending 8 years in NYC, 6 of which working for one of the worlds most busy restaurants in Times Square. Working in that sort of an environment for more than a day gives you skills you didn’t know you had until 8 people are talking to you, you’re hanging a painting, eating a chip and explaining to someone how an artist made a painting all simultaneously with a smile on your face.

And that is what sets my artistry and business apart. I am a caring artist with an extensive background in hospitality. I’ve won a NAACP award for theatre and years later opened some of the worlds largest restaurants. My versatility, adaptability, open mindedness and never ending desire to learn new things is what keeps it going.

What I know is that everything that I’ve done has been for a specific reason. I usually find that reason out 1day-10 years later but everything always connects full circle when you are walking in your truth.

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.
The most exciting people in LA live in my families homes. So I’d take them to see Shaka Man first. My dad is one of the original members of The Rastafarians. I’ll say he’s a character to say the least. If you’re visiting LA and get the chance to see Shaka Man in a show that’s a real LA treat.

Food wise Sip & Sonder in Inglewood would be our first destination. The Lavender Honey cap. Fire.

Then we just have to go to all My friends stores The Fem in You, Neighbors Skate Shop, House of Vibes and whatever else we see is beautifully black on the way.

We’d have to go to all the galleries I love but more than anything introduce them to the people. The vibe is always right around the right people. Most of my friends are artists in some way. Jonah Elijah has a beautiful studio downtown I’d take them to see, Torin Ashtun has one in LBC and Marley Van Peebles has one we’d have to go see him.

Last but not least it’d be my grannies house. I’m from here so the things that excite me most are community. My community starts with my family. My granny is the worlds funniest, mean old black lady there is. She’s the greatest and who I think of first when I think of LA.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Little would be an understatement. I will now and forever hail up Amazing Grace Conservatory. I attended AGC all my life and it was my saving grace. Wendy Raquel Robinson, Denise Dowse, Gigi Bolden, Tracy Coley, Ms. Cassie, Mr. Steven, Ms. Kim and so many more were the beings I looked up to and creatively clung onto. Also, Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou. My mother Yolanda Renee Thomas and Samuel L. Jackson.

Website: https://allnaturalingredient.tumblr.com/

Instagram: whats.ya.vibe

Other: Self@ allnaturalingredient Company @whats.ya.vibe Art @artbyallnatural