We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shalana Renee. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shalana below.

Shalana , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Heritage in Lieu is a double entendre, that speaks to one’s desire in choosing Heritage instead. Throughout history minorites have faced unfortunate circumstances, that left them stripped of their language, religion, traditions and heritage.

Heritage in Lieu is a gracious love letter to our ancestors.

We are a lifestyle furniture & home decor brand, designing beyond aesthetics and introducing homes to modern-day heirlooms, infused with meaningful cultural history.

As a designer, creator and minority, I wanted to build a brand that celebrates and truly honors the beauty of cultures all over the world and its people.

The thought of developing one of a kind, home decor, which will act as new & extended conversations to African, Indian, Japanese and Native heritage brings me so much joy.

Shalana , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a multifaceted person, who cares deeply about fulfilling my purpose and inspiring others through my work.

Long ago I entered into a career path, as a corporate interior designer and have enjoyed designing for several restaurant and hotel brands.

Developing the brand of Heritage in Lieu, feels like a combination of my purpose and profession merging to alter the perception of interior design. By pairing home decor furnishings and cultural history into a present-day modern style, while cranking the volume up on all things Heritage. In many ways it’s a timeless gift, to every generation that apperciates traveling to beautiful countries and learning about different cultures during their excursions.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I created a business back in 2015, that focused on selling my textile designs on various products.

In hindsight, I can fully understand why the business wasn’t commercially successful as I hoped. I didn’t know anything about brand building, marketing, or how to discover my target audience.

There was also so much personal development I still needed, to ensure I wouldn’t question my talent or lack of support to impact my progression.

The following years provided adversity, which sprouted a stronger version of myself to emerge. I grew a well rounded perspective on brand development and the importance of storytelling, and the anchor it served in marketing.

In 2021 I started another business, Wild Noir Studios where I could work as a freelance designer. It was the first time a business I created made money consistently for one year.

The disappointments don’t have to be gut wrenching, life altering moments within our journeys. Sometimes you need to step back and give yourself grace to mature both personally and professionally.

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

The vision I have for Heritage in Lieu, is vastly greater than what will be unveiled to the public in its first year.

That was a huge pivot, the perfectionist in me had to process.

Do I continuously delay the launch because I need more money to fulfill the grandiose vision? Or do I operate as a small business (because I am a small business) and find the joy in achieving small stepping stones toward that bigger vision.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/heritageinlieu?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Other: https://instagram.com/shalana.renee?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=