Lisa Lanaola: Creates Fashion Solutions For Woman

Business owner Lisa Lanaola learns quickly. She listens well and loves bringing creative solutions to any challenge life throws her way. As the Founder and CEO of Lanaola, LLC she’s launched a comprehensive brand for busy women. Her brand not only offers unique female fashion solutions but also offers solutions for your everyday obstacles big and small.

Drawing on her entrepreneurial spirit and servant-lead heart, Lisa has become a trusted partner to those who are serious about growing as professionals. Lisa has partnered with everyday individuals, aspiring business owners, and family leaders. Some of her services include assisting individuals with launching their own business(es) and restructuring their finances. As one of her focuses is to assist clients with getting their lives back on track.

Additionally, through her fashion company Lanaola Styles, Lisa offers a full line of top shelf fashion accessories, which includes head wraps, hats, and umbrellas. Her inventory is made from the finest materials available and assembled with the utmost attention to detail and quality. Lanaola Styles has become synonymous with a beautiful amazing cutting edge style for busy mothers and professionals alike.

Lisa’s story began in Jamaica, where she was born from teenage parents. Her family eventually immigrated from Jamaica to the United States. Her parents decided to settle in Brooklyn, New York,  where she was the eldest of six siblings. Growing up in New York City, Lisa quickly learned the importance of family and building strong relationships. Yet, at the same time, she developed a fierce sense of independence. Lisa epitomized a sense of loyalty tempered with a will to succeed on her own, no matter the size of the hurdle. Life has served Lisa well, while on her journey to entrepreneurial success. Today, she loves sharing that same sense of self-discovery and personal development that she’s experienced throughout her own career.  She loves filling a room with her infectious positive spirit that she is so well known for.

Lisa holds a Bachelor’s degree in social work from the City University of New York, and an Associate’s degree in mental health from the Kingsborough Community College. When she’s not in the office, Lisa loves reading, catching up on her favorite TV shows with her husband, spending time with her daughter, and traveling the world (so far she’s explored five continents).

Of course, she also loves meeting new people and learning about what makes them tick. She would love to get to know you and help you take the first steps in exploring your passion. Please don’t hesitate to contact her today.

AllisonJanel: How would you describe your SwagHer? What makes Lisa? Lisa?

Lisa: I would describe my SwagHer as a little bit of Jamaica mixed with Brooklyn. As, I was raised in East New York, Brooklyn in the 80’s and 90’s. My upbringing made me strong and independent. I’m a problem solver. I don’t dwell on woulda, coulda, shoulda.  I’m a doer. What’s the problem? Let’s go solve it. The Jamaican in me is a hard worker. I’ve always had a job since I was 19 yrs old. I’m dependable. If I commit to something I don’t take it lightly. I give 100%. All of these things make me who I am and I wouldn’t dare be anyone else.

 

AllisonJanel: Why did you decide to delve into entrepreneurship?

Lisa: I saw an opening and I decided to fill it. I was helping others one on one, yet I wanted to assist people on a larger scale. At that pivoting moment, I knew I had to create my company and become official. I never imagined I would be an entrepreneur. I’ve always loved having a steady paycheck. I was a single mother and always had to make sure my daughter was taken care of. I had ideas but I never had the resources to pursue them full time. I married my best friend six years ago. My husband is such a wonderful man. He believed in me from the start of my entrepreneurial journey. He motivates me, pushes forward, to accomplish goals that may sometimes seem impossible.  He is such a great helpmeet. My first line of products, from production to shipping to launch was paid for by him. He compliments my strengths and helps me accomplish the possible of things I believe may be impossible. I love, honor, and appreciate him.

 

AllisonJanel: What inspired you to create Lanaola Styles?

Lisa: My company started after I traveled to Africa and saw women wearing African printed head wraps. The colors were so vibrant and appealing. My first thought was, that a headwrap would be a way to accessorize my natural hair. The headwraps worn were beautiful and inspiring, to say the least. I saw the need and believed more women should have choices on how to cover their hair. Since I’ve been in business, we’ve seen, talked with and met various women to access their needs. Which in turn has proven my mission to create. I make sure that women who want choices for head covering’s needs are met. Some women are losing their hair, have lost their hair, have bad hair days, have good hair days, want to jazz up their hair, or want to jazz up outfits. I want to give them a choice of how to do that. They can choose one of many styles for head coverings and they will be happy with the choice that they have made. My products are made with each of them in mind. Women inspire me every day. I can take them on a different journey with the different products Lanaola Styles offers.

 

AllisonJanel: Over the years how has Lanaola Syles evolved?

Lisa: We’ve expanded to encompass more than African printed head wraps. We have head wraps of all colors and patterns. We offer hats in many various colors and styles. We also have umbrellas. Very soon we plan on offering turbans, fascinators, and headbands. We love getting feedback from past and current clients. We take that feedback and we use it to make our products better and also incorporate new products.

  

AllisonJanel: How do you decide on what patterns to use for your accessories?

Lisa: It’s all about feedback from our clients. We send out surveys to our clients after each purchase. We take all feedback into consideration when we’re choosing patterns. We also utilize test designs for each season. We offer bright colors, dark colors for our headwraps. We’re currently creating more solid prints, as our customers are requesting them. They will be out soon.

  

AllisonJanel: Do you create headwrap tutorials?

Lisa: I’ve recently started creating headwrap tutorials on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/brantonspllc every Wednesday morning at 10:00 AM EST. I want all women to be able to wear head wraps proudly. So it’s just two easy styles each week. These tutorials will be up on my website very soon.  

 

AllisonJanel: Do you currently sell any mommy-daughter headwrap sets?

Lisa: I don’t have any mommy-daughter headwrap sets at this time. The wraps that I have are 72”x 20″. They might be too big for any mini-me’s. If we get a big demand for mommy-daughter sets we will definitely launch a collection.

 

AllisonJanel: What inspired you to pursue your degrees in Social Work?

Lisa: I love love love helping others. Like I said before I am a natural problem solver. I majored in Social Work with a minor in Gerontology and I don’t regret it. It has helped me to become more emphatic and sympathetic to all people. I listen to others, not to answer, but to help them solve issues.

 

AllisonJanel: Are you seeking to become a Social Worker anytime soon?

Lisa: I don’t have any plans to work in the field, but I am using my education. I’ve recently launched Lanaola, LLC. Lanaola Styles is my fashion line, but Lanaola, LLC is the parent company that I started to help people find solutions. Just like a therapist helps you find answers to shift your mindset, I help you find solutions for your personal growth. If you’re stuck on a problem and don’t know which direction to turn, I help you plan a step by step task list to help you become whole. As a social worker it’s innately in me to help and assist.

 

AllisonJanel: How has your religion played a role in your success?

Lisa: God is front and center in my life. My husband and I pray and fast monthly, because I rely on God to guide my steps and to help me achieve growth in my mind, body and business. I wouldn’t be where I am without him.

 

AllisonJanel: What have been some of the challenges you’ve faced  in your life and what did you do to overcome them?

Lisa: Like I said I grew up in Brooklyn during the crack, cocaine era. Needles on the ground, gangs, guns, drugs all around your neighborhood. I relied on books and music to take me away from that world. I practically lived at the library and developed a love for fiction books. Now that I’m older I still read a lot but more than just fiction books. My kindle collection is large and vast. Lol. At this time, I mostly read to educate myself. I was also a single mother at 21yrs old. That did not stop me from making a better life for myself. I worked and went to school and made sure that my daughter was fully loved and taken care of. She received all of me plus my time and energy.

 

AllisonJanel: How has the COVID19 pandemic affected your business?

Lisa: I’m so sad that so many people have lost their lives. It is really very painful. I’m sad that so many brick and mortar businesses are shutting their doors. Personally, my business has grown. I have made sure to set my business up for success. Online businesses are the way of the future. I have great products. I have a fabulous website, I have strong customer service skills and I am building my business on a solid foundation.  I’m all in for the long haul.

 

AllisonJanel: How do you practice self-care?

Lisa: Self care is a must in these troubling times. I make sure I walk daily, read daily, and practice self-reflection daily. In times like these I go under my blanket and take a long luxurious nap. Lol, rest is definitely necessary.

 

AllisonJanel: What other countries would you like to visit?

Lisa: I want to visit all of Africa, every single country. Africa is without a doubt my favorite continent. I wouldn’t mind taking an African safari in the future.

 

AllisonJanel: Do you have any upcoming events or projects that you care to share?

Lisa: I love creating vending events where women can come and try out my products. At my events, they learn to wrap and just have good ole fun together. Yet, with Covid-19 in effect, our stay at home orders have prevented me from having events for awhile. At this time I plan on expanding my tutorials and staying in contact with my clients via my website and social media sites. I’m actually starting a Live online auction for bids on my products. It will be sort of like HSN with a Lanaola Styles twist.

 

AllisonJanel: Where do you see yourself and your business in five years?

Lisa: I pray for growth and expansion. I want to serve as many people as possible. For Lanaola Styles I just want to help women have more choices with the way they cover their heads. For Lanaola, LLC I want to be able to help build up and empower everyone. No one should be suck. At Lanaola, LLC we help you get unstuck. We get rid of your frustrations and discouragement when you think you cannot accomplish your goals. We are here to help. We love to help. We live to serve.

 

Connect with Lisa below:

Business Website: www.lisalanaola.com

Instagram: @lisa_lanaola

Facebook: www.facebook.com/brantonspllc