Check Out LaToya Skinner’s Story

Today, we’d like to introduce you to LaToya Skinner.

Hi LaToya, I’m so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed with your story and how you got to where you are today.
During COVID, I had a very demanding corporate job that was a bit stressful. It had gotten to the point where I was not sleeping well, and my anxiety was through the roof. I met with a career/life coach who suggested I find a creative outlet. 

At the time, I did not know I would start Lola Earl, but the coach encouraged me to make a list of things I love to do; she encouraged me to think about things that brought me joy. After making a list, I realized how much I enjoyed shopping for vintage and antiques. For personal reasons, I had started my journey home. It was important to me to buy items for my home that I was connected with- buying with the intention of pure joy. I wanted everything in my house to feel good. 

So, Lola Earl became a hobby—buying vintage items and selling things on Etsy. A few months into this process, I thought, could I turn Lola Earl into something more? I began thinking about how to turn this hobby into an entire business. I started to work on this—taking small steps but knowing I wanted to take the full leap and go all in. 

In 2023, I was laid off from my corporate job and decided to focus 100% on Lola Earl. And that is precisely what I did. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wish I could say it has been all rainbows and sunshine, but not so much. There is so much to learn and so many hats to wear. As a small business owner, you must figure out your North Star and how to get there. It is essential to ensure you have the right people around you to help you figure things out. 

When I first started, I bought vintage and antiques. When I launched the website, I decided to expand and sell artisan-made housewares. When I made this decision, I had no data to help me determine what items to buy, so I just bought things that I thought my customers would want. 

Well, things went differently than I thought they would. I now understand how important it is to make data-driven decisions and to focus on your bestsellers. It is ok to go narrow and be known for something people need, want, and desire. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Lola Earl is a home retail boutique selling vintage and artisan-made housewares and an Interior Design Firm specializing in interior styling services for residential and boutique commercial spaces. 

At Lola Earl, we believe that creating a space you love takes time, so invest in items that bring you joy and help you create a collected home. That’s why we’re constantly sourcing one-of-a-kind artisanal items that add rich history and character to any space in your home and evoke a sense of nostalgia and connection. 

I want to design spaces for clients to help them create a home that feels well-collected and unique—where they can make memories with the ones they love. 

What do you think about happiness?
Connecting with people and helping them create spaces in their homes that bring them joy. 

Home should be an oasis, a reflection of your personality – a place to live, laugh, and create memories. I want to help my clients achieve this feeling in their homes. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lolaearl.com/
• Instagram: @lolaearlhome
• Pinterest: @lolaearlhome

Image Credits
https://www.salt.haus/ and Spencer Backman