Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Raena Rice. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Raena, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for Seated & Stowed took root during my college days, about 20 years ago. (I know what you’re thinking—there’s no way I’m a day over 24, right? But my back begs to differ.) During my quick 45-minute flights home, I became That Girl—the one who romanticizes airport people-watching and treats every trip like a mini adventure. I loved the thrill of being able to hop cities with ease and a carry-on.

But was I really That Girl? My first international trip to Paris was a wake-up call. In the fall of 2009, as a fashion student studying abroad, I went from short domestic flights to a solo journey across continents, from Los Angeles (LAX) to Paris (CDG). It was life-changing, yes, but also wildly uncomfortable. Between middle seats and the stress of navigating a foreign airport, I realized travel wasn’t as glamorous as I’d imagined. I wanted to embody the effortless confidence I saw in first-class travelers and make it accessible to people like me—young, eager, and often flying economy.

After earning my degree, I worked in the fashion industry for several years. Creativity and chic aesthetics have always been my thing, and I thrived in a space where presentation and innovation mattered. But deep down, I still craved a lifestyle of travel and adventure. In 2016, I traded runway looks for the runways to different states and countries, and became a flight attendant. While the jet-setting life delivered excitement, it also came with burnout, a lack of glamour, and a longing to create something truly my own.

That’s when I started reflecting on my own travel frustrations and the gaps I noticed. Traditional amenity kits were exclusive to first-class passengers, leaving main-cabin travelers without access to tools for comfort, self-care, and style. There was an opportunity to create something meaningful—to provide a luxury experience for everyone, regardless of their seat assignment.

I knew this idea would work because it was personal. As both a flight attendant and an avid traveler, I had firsthand knowledge of the pain points. Travel can be stressful, often overwhelming, and at times unwelcoming for people of African descent. And although Black leisure travel spending in the U.S. alone is $145 billion—yes, BILLION!—there’s still a glaring lack of representation in the industry. With Seated & Stowed, I’m not just selling products—I’m solving problems, building community, and offering representation in a space where it’s been lacking for far too long.

By 2019, Seated & Stowed was born. Inspired by my fashion background and travel experiences, I set out to design products that bring the ease, style, and comfort of luxury travel to everyone, regardless of their seat assignment. Combining my love of design with a deep understanding of what travelers truly need, we’re here to elevate every step of the journey—from packing to landing.

For me, this is more than just a business—it’s about creating a brand that represents and empowers women, especially those who look like me, to travel unbothered, feel pampered, and embrace self-care even while on-the-go.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Seated & Stowed is a fashion-forward travel lifestyle brand that brings First-Class Energy to every cabin class and mode of transportation. We celebrate and prioritize the experiences of Black women while creating an inclusive travel community for all. Founded by an 8-year mainline commercial flight attendant (yours truly), our mission is to bring self-care, style, and comfort to travelers who have been historically overlooked, ensuring everyone feels seen, valued, and cared for on their journeys.

Our product line, lovingly curated and designed, enhances every aspect of the travel experience. From our Self-Care Snob Amenity Kit—complete with dental kits, compression socks, and essentials to keep you feeling your best inflight—to comforts that extend to your final destination, like our OTG Beautyrest Satin Pillowcase and VIP Lounging Hotel Slippers, every item is about making you feel pampered and seen, no matter where you are. And because we believe in traveling unbothered, we even offer the Traveling Unbothered ebook, packed with insider flight attendant hacks and tips to elevate your travel game.

The inspiration for Seated & Stowed came from my own experiences as both a traveler and a flight attendant. Taking 30-42 flights per month (not even counting my leisure trips), I’ve witnessed the full spectrum of travel—the discomforts, the joys, and everything in between. What I learned is that the smallest, most thoughtful touches can transform a stressful journey into a seamless and enjoyable experience. I created Seated & Stowed to bridge the gap between luxury and accessibility, offering travelers the tools they need to feel confident, comfortable, and effortlessly stylish on the go.

What sets us apart is our dedication to creating products with the modern traveler in mind. We’re not just about function; we’re about the experience—about bringing the ease and elegance of first-class travel to everyone. We serve a community of both first-time and experienced women travelers, meeting their needs with products that are stylish, practical, and deeply intentional.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m incredibly proud of the milestones Seated & Stowed has achieved so far. We’ve been embraced by a community of passionate travelers and were recently featured as a vendor at the Black Travel Summit—our first in-person vending experience! Launching the Traveling Unbothered ebook was another highlight, as it allows us to connect directly with travelers looking to elevate their experience with practical and thoughtful solutions. It’s also perfect for first-time travelers, offering a crash course on creating a seamless and stress-free journey from start to finish. These accomplishments remind me that Seated & Stowed is more than a business—it’s a movement inspiring travelers to embrace ease, representation, and self-care.

What I Want You to Know
Seated & Stowed isn’t just a brand; it’s a promise to every traveler who’s ever felt ignored or underserved. We’re here to remind you that travel is more than the destination—it’s how you arrive, how you feel, and how you care for yourself along the way. Travel has drastically changed my life, and I know it can transform yours too. As we say, FAFO—F- – Around And Find Out— just how much this world has to offer when you step out on faith and learn how to travel unbothered.

If you’re ready to embrace this First-Class Energy lifestyle and mindset, we invite you to join our journey. Follow us, shop with us, and share your stories with us. Together, we’re reshaping what it means to travel beautifully.

Visit www.seatedandstowed.com to explore our products, and follow us on IG @SeatedAndStowed for inspiration, tips, representation, and all the travel vibes.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I started my company on New Year’s Eve, 2019 on a work layover in New Orleans, right as we were heading into 2020. Initially, it was called It’s A Lifestyle 365, a name inspired by the flight attendant lifestyle I knew so well. Back then, my target audience was flight attendants like me, looking for ways to stay mentally grounded while navigating our physically demanding, always-on-the-go careers.

The name worked—at first. But as I started building the brand, it never fully resonated with me. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either. Things came to a halt when I tried to trademark the name. After paying over $1,000 to LegalZoom and investing in a custom logo, I ran into a legal roadblock that made the trademark unattainable. I was devastated. It felt like I was right back at square one, the same place I stood before I hit “post” on my very first Instagram announcement during a layover in New Orleans.

For months, I floundered. Between imposter syndrome and the sheer uncertainty of the travel industry during the pandemic, I did little to no posting and hopped between ideas, trying to figure out my next move. When a $1,000 small business grant came along, I managed to disqualify myself over incorrect bank information tied to my initial name. By the time I fixed it, the grant had closed. It was an emotionally draining time, and I questioned whether I should even continue.

But one random evening, while chatting with my best friend about nothing in particular, she brought up a term I had casually mentioned before—something she thought would make a great name. At first, I had no idea what term she was referring to – neither did she, but nonetheless I started listing off flight attendant jargon. When I said “Seated & Stowed,” she paused and said, “I like that one. Use it.”

That was the moment I pivoted. I explained the phrase to her: “Seated & Stowed” is the final confirmation between the lead flight attendant and the captain before takeoff. It means the passengers are seated, their items are secured, and the flight is ready for its journey. Suddenly, everything clicked. The name not only reflected my aviation roots but also perfectly tied into the idea of preparing for and embracing the journey ahead.

I immediately searched for trademarks, URLs, and social handles, and to my relief, it was available. The pivot wasn’t just about a new name; it opened up my brand to a wider audience—women, Black women, and travelers who valued self-care, comfort, and a first-class mindset, no matter where they sat. Not only did I trademark my brand name, but I also protected my signature sayings: Traveling Unbothered and First Class Energy — both of which embody the essence of Seated & Stowed and resonate deeply with our community of travelers.

Looking back, the pivot wasn’t just necessary; it was transformative. It allowed me to align my brand with my purpose and create something that genuinely resonated with both me and my audience. And that’s how Seated & Stowed took flight.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Procrastination. Whew, let me tell you—I really thought procrastinating was my superpower. Back in school, with my Instagram-diagnosed ADHD brain (well, more like Facebook, since Instagram wasn’t really a thing yet), I thrived under pressure like a champ. I’d wait until the last minute to start an assignment, and somehow, my creativity and quick thinking would pull me through. I was good at it, too—so much so that I convinced myself this was a legitimate strategy for success. The gag? I wasn’t thriving—I was surviving. Looking back, though, I have to laugh (and shake my head). Because while procrastination might have been my sidekick in school, it was also robbing me of my full potential. I wasn’t showing up for myself in the way I could and should have, and let’s be real—college isn’t cheap for “just enough” energy, so wasting opportunities there hit both my growth and my wallet.

Fast forward to running a business, and let me tell you, procrastination and entrepreneurship do NOT mix. Somewhere along the way, I tapped a little too far into this generation’s methodology of “going off vibes and energy.” No, nope, and absolutely not. Business doesn’t wait for vibes to align. Waiting until the last minute doesn’t just lead to stress; it leads to missed opportunities, forfeited connections, and money left on the table. Trust me, there’s nothing cute about scrambling when you’re trying to build something great.

I’m still unlearning this lesson, and honestly, it’s a daily effort—with life’s ebbs and flows, and with the different roles I now juggle as an adult and full-time professional. But what I know now is that procrastination isn’t a personality trait to lean into—it’s a habit to leave behind. It might’ve felt like an adorable little quirk in my early 20s, but in this season of life, I’m embracing preparedness as the real superpower. 2025 is all about keeping it cute, keeping it organized, and leaving the last-minute stress in the past where it belongs.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.seatedandstowed.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/seatedandstowed
• Facebook: facebook.com/seatedandstowed
• Youtube: youtube.com/@SeatedandStowed
• Other: threads.net/@seatedandstowed https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzzDqkfv47T/?igsh=YjNsc2RlZDZmYXcx