Happy Monday my darlings! I’m so pleased to introduce you to our latest Plucky Pioneer, Lauren Christensen of Lo Boheme. One of my sweet readers recommended Lauren’s beautiful hair accessories to me recently and I couldn’t help but smile—I happen to have grown up with the designer on California’s central coast! Lauren is such a beautiful, creative spirit and I’ve been in awe of the girl’s style since grade school days. Her darling company Lo Boheme features one-of-a-kind, vintage inspired accessories for weddings, special events and everyday wear. From chic birdcage veils to silk flower pins and vintage rhinestone bridal garters Lo Boheme has thought of every detail. Without further ado, here’s Mrs. Christensen in her own words…
Five words used to describe yourself.
Observer, calm, thankful, dreamer, list maker. [Above, the adorable designer sporting one of her early creations.]
What inspires you creatively?
So many different and sometimes opposing things, below are just a few that come to mind: Anything old, worn, loved, or discarded. Wide open spaces, and the rolling hills of my hometown on California’s central coast, as well as the beautiful dirty, busy, bustling streets of large cities. The soft, feminine fashion of the early 1900′s as well as the hard, rebellious, and sometimes masculine aesthetic of rock and roll culture.
Who were/are your design mentors?
My family for their endless support and compliments/feedback about my work. My husband for his own unique view on things. Although I think my lifestyle and creative process is often confusing (and sometimes frustrating I’m sure) to them, my family has never been anything but encouraging as I try and forge my own quirky little creative path in life. So to them I owe everything!
How would you describe your personal design aesthetic?
Its funny because my design aesthetic plays out much differently in my work for Lo Boheme, than it does in many other aspects of my life. Lo Boheme tends towards the romantic, feminine, and vintage inspired, while my own fashion sense and interior design style could be categorized as a bit more funky, boyish, and eclectic. I guess the one common thread is the underlying vintage theme throughout, I just can’t get away from it!
What propelled you to found your own company?
To be honest I didn’t ever anticipate Lo Boheme being a full time job. I always hoped to be doing something creative and on my own, however for many self deprecating and “practical” reasons I never thought I could actually make a living doing what I love. I began selling on etsy after friends and family encouraged me to give it a try, once I got my first sale I was hooked, and things grew from there. I wish I could say I planned it, but that would be a fib!
Most glamourous part of owning your own company?
Actually having a budget to buy piles of sparkly, pretty things! Sourcing my materials is one of my favorite parts of the job, and also one of the most inspiring. Before I would go to flea markets and antique shops and dream of the day when I could afford to buy the beautiful things I saw, and now I get to, but alas I don’t always get to keep them. But every once in awhile a few pieces make their way into my personal collection!
Least glamourous part of owning your own company?
A lot of alone time. I would consider myself an introvert, but having a home based business lends itself to many housebound days, and I do find myself longing for the social outlet that comes with having coworkers.
Best business advice you’ve been given?
Create what you love and people will take notice.
Creative businesswoman you admire?
Darcy Miller the editor of Martha Stewart Weddings, Abby of Style Me Pretty, and my mom.
What keeps your organized and on task?
You might guess based on one of my previous answers, but lists, lists and more lists. They keep my focused and allow me to plan ahead, plus I’m one of those geeks who gets a rush when I get to cross things off of them!
Moment you knew you’d “made it”?
The day I quit my day job and was able to focus on Lo Boheme full time, or maybe a week after, when I realized this wasn’t actually a vacation, that I really never had to go back! Amazing and scary at the same time.
Describe your typical work day…
I’m too embarrassed to actually state my bed and wake up times, but lets just say I am not a morning person! But the day usually begins with me checking the etsy shop, then responding to any urgent emails. I don’t do well with routine, so beyond these two tasks, my days activities vary widely. However I tend to focus more on the administrative tasks during the day, as I’m much more creative at night. But you can also find me running to the post office 5 minutes before 5 most days, and I usually end the day with emails late at night (as evidenced by this email!)
Your dream project?
Designing pieces for Martha Stewart Weddings magazine, of for a bridal runway show.
What goals do you have for your business in the future?
To work smarter and to increase the wholesale portion of my business.
Advice to other budding creative entrepreneurs?
Set up your business and legal structure first, you will save so much time in the long run. I made things much harder on myself by procrastinating in this department. Also the same advice that was given to me: create what you love and not what you think will sell, you will have so much more pride in your work, and trust me, people will notice.
Be sure to check in tomorrow for Lauren’s Plucky Pioneer Cheat Sheet—her top picks for film, fashion, travel and more! Thank you Lauren! More to come this afternoon loves…
i love reading these!! you really do find out you have so much in common with people out there :) love her answers and her products are amazing…makes me what to get married again :) to the same person of course!
Pink Wallpaper — Aren’t they gorgeous? I’m so excited at the prospect of finding a Lo Boheme piece for my own wedding! xoxo katie
LOVE the whole ’20s influenced aesthetic. I’m doing all natural flowers for the wedding, but definitely looking into these ensembles for the rehearsal dinner – too pretty to pass up.
Jane — Good call. She has a ton of fun pieces for everyday wear too that I can’t stop drooling over. I want one for summer days with sundresses! xo
Her pieces are GORGEOUS! I totally admire her strong sense of self in following her dreams!
I think I am going to have to check her out for some wedding accessories! What a doll!
Emily — Strong sense of self is right. It takes such courage to go out on your own as Lauren has!
Bailey — Do! You won’t be disappointed. xo
Oooh, I am loving everything! I smell an order coming on! Oh and Katie, I bought these shoes – http://shop.akirachicago.com/page.php?id=productdetail&idproduct=7400&dept=OTHER&frommenu=Category&idcat=102
I found them at Nordstrom and they were the only pair they had in that color, which happened to be the size I needed! I love them.
Thanks for sharing these precious pieces from such a talented entrepreneur! She’s an inspiration.
Love this! Wow these headpieces and that garter… so beautiful. She is truly talented!
Meagan — Those are adorable! How fun will those be with your dress?! Ahhhhh…so excited for you!
BB — Inspiration, check!
Sarah — Isn’t the garter fun? I love those old rhinestone necklaces from the sixties. It’s one of my favorite pieces in Lauren’s collection!
wow, her work is just stunning.
wow! how beautiful is this little business..i love a gal who truly captures her vision through beautiful photography. and one that uses the word “fib”..that made me smile..
Katie..you better get one of these beauties for your gala!
Rikshaw — I’m trying to decide which!!! xo
Aw, that’s me that you mention! :) This is such a wonderful, inspiring interview. I really related to her personal design aesthetic, and I loved her advice of owning her own creative company. xoxo
Lovely pieces! She should definitely get them “in front” of Martha Stewart..or Darcy…! Good Luck!
Colleen — The moment you mentioned loving Lo Boheme I immediately fired Lauren an email asking her to be a Pioneer! I’d been meaning to post about her beautiful things for months so it was just the reminder I needed! xo
Ivy Lane — I’m sure she will, it’s just a matter of time! xo
oh wow i LOVE these!!!! they are incredible!!
She is amazing! I have to have one of these…oooh, maybe for Derby! XOXO
Great interview! Her stuff is great!
this was such an inspiring interview! she seems so down to earth and amazing!! i love how she talked about her friends and family finding her lifestyle confusing but still being supportive. i’m finding i come across that alot too! her pieces are gorgeous…can i get married again?? :)
I love fun hair pieces and hers are amazingly adorable!
wow! fantastic pieces-she is so talented! your blog is really chic also!
smiles,
gina
i love her work as well! i seriously found it two minutes too late for my wedding! are you going to use some for your wedding? did you guys decide on a day? cant wait, im sure its going to be the most beautiful thing ever!
loves to you!
britt
ps, so fun that you two grew up together!
when is the big move again?
my mouth was literally open looking at these! how stunning can you get?! i especially love the garter… divine! and she seems like a wonderful person. so down to earth. thanks for sharing this gem with us!!
xoxo
tod
Katie and all of your fabulous readers:
Thanks a million for all of the support, kind words, and comments! I’m so thankful to have been awarded this little creative path and I’m just to thrilled that other people enjoy my work as much as I love creating it. You all have humbled me with your sweetness, thank you for making my month!!
Katie-the new blog layout is amazing, things just keep getting better and better!
So pretty, I wish I had found something like this when I got married.
I love her. I saw some of her work previously and they are great. I am also smitten with her photo shoots and the dresses she is styling her models in. I want to be one of them in those cute frocks with an amazing head piece!
… but then again, who wouldn’t?