We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauren Grier a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lauren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

The Archive is inspired by fashion + our closets. Before hitting the Atlanta streets, my friend Alexis would call + ask, “What are you wearing?!”

More often than not, I was wearing something I already had. Or, as Lex put it, “You’re pulling from the archive!” — a colloquial term signifying the use of existing wardrobe staples rather than grabbing something new.

My archive encompassed the key pieces I already had — for example… a black dress, or worn denim. They were tucked away, but essential. The look was always elevated with a new jacket, mini bag, or pair of shoes.

However, beyond fashion, The Archive embodies a deeper ethos rooted in design history + nostalgia. It symbolizes a journey into the past, where we uncover past design eras and draw inspiration from their timeless vibe. While paying homage to these bygone eras, we tend to design with a modern and simplistic style.

Simply put, we blend charm with a classic touch, making sure your brand remains an icon, no matter the era.

Lauren, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My story begins on the campus of Valdosta State University. As a marketing major, I was tasked with designing flyers + graphics for my sorority. I’ve never designed a day in my life — only presentations for class. However, my prophyte, Erica, encouraged me to design for our chapter. That’s where it began.

After graduating college, I received a Marketing Coordinator role for the state government. I wanted to become a skilled designer, so I took a Photoshop boot camp, which, in turn, helped me learn Illustrator. I remember designing $50 logos (glitter + all) and Snapchat filters in my parent’s house.

Freelancing was always a part of my journey, even before I fully realized it. I launched my own graphic design business, Leaux Design + Creative, while still navigating the corporate world. It was an exhilarating experience, but balancing it with my full-time job eventually became overwhelming. Juggling uninspiring brands and non-stop design work took its toll, leading me to reassess my path.

As a true corporate baddie, I excelled, working my way up into spaces and roles I couldn’t have dreamed of — designing. At Atlanta Apparel, I became an expert in email design and marketing, and in the financial marketing sector, I developed a knack for strategy. I realized I had a unique blend of design + strategic thinking, which opened up a world of possibilities for me.

However, in the last few years of my corporate career, I felt stifled + lost creatively. I lost my spark. Work became monotonous, cold, and stressful. The nature of my work wasn’t hard, but my work environment made it pretty difficult. So, I bet on myself. I quit my six-figure, Sr. Manager, financial marketing role. I was terrified. I was unsure if I was going to become an Interior Designer (seriously!), or a Creative Director/Brand Strategist.

Interiors were also part of my journey, albeit a seemingly random one. Surprisingly, I had a steady stream of clients and found success in this space. It may seem out of left field, but design has always been my true calling—no matter the form.

I relaunched The Archive Design Studio as a full-fledged creative agency, inspired by the best practices I observed in my corporate roles. This decision has reignited my creative spark and allowed me to build a business that reflects my values and vision. Now, I am tracking to exceed my goals for myself in my first “true” year of business.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is all about creating a space where girls and women can thrive and find mentorship. It hit me again recently when I spoke at a career day event. Growing up, I remember being inspired by the professional women who came over to our family’s house. They were like the characters from ‘Girlfriends’ or ‘Living Single’—so full of wisdom + style. They made me want to be confident and knowledgeable, just like them.

Having those wise mentors in my corner, especially during those awkward teenage years, made all the difference. Now, I’m on a mission to pay it forward. I want to empower others, especially young women, to dream big and go after those dreams fearlessly. It’s not just about dreaming, though. It’s about giving them the tools and support they need to turn those dreams into reality.

Whether it’s creating mentorship programs or just offering some friendly advice, I’m all about helping others find their confidence and reach their goals. Because let’s face it, we all need a little encouragement now and then to reach our full potential, right?

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

There was a phase when I believed interior design was my true calling. With a keen eye for aesthetics, I envisioned transforming spaces, drawing inspiration from my own home! Guests in my home would always say that I needed to offer interiors as a service — so I did.

I actually did well! I completed projects for various clients + even assisted a seasoned designer. However, the integration of interior design services within The Archive Design Studio was challenging. I vividly recall one particular day—furnishing and styling a two-bedroom townhome within eight hours. My back was done. And building Amazon + Target furniture was tough on my fingers (those hex keys are SO bad), omg.

The financial return failed to align with the effort I put into the work. The decision to pivot became evident.

I redirected my focus towards my core passion—branding and creative design. It was a pivotal moment, one that ultimately steered me towards a more fulfilling professional trajectory.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.the-ad.studio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thearchivedesign/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thearchivedesign
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lagrier/
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/thearchivedesign