laid back inspiration.

Business Name: Laid Back
URL: laidbackhome.com
MicroBlog: twitter.com/laidbackchick
City: Bronx, New York 

Tina Shoulders is the owner and founder of Laid Back.  An urban/rocker chic/hip hop/pop culture inspired home design accessories and textiles company. Launched two years ago the Laid Back Line has been received well by the design community, featured in innumerable blogs such as Clutch and Apt. Therapy and magazines such as  Real Simple. In addition to running her own company, Ms. Shoulders is a viral marketing and social media instructor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Get Togetha got the opportunity and privilege to catch up with the woman behind laidback and discussed all things inspiring, home, and new for the 09′.

GT: First things first…I love your pillows!…how did you get started doing what you do?
LB: I’ve always been interested in good design. And design and well made things as a whole is my passion. My other passion would be networking and communication. Laidback was started while I was daydreaming at work. I was working on a project for a private label home line. I started thinking about how cool it would be if there were skulls and rockers and streetwear looks in the  bed and bathroom. I figured I’d do a home line since everyone I knew creatively went the fashion route. I launched Laid Back and haven’t looked back since.

GT: Who are what is your design inspiration? What motivates you to do what you do?
LB: I used inspiration boards, pullouts from magazines and photos I take in my daily travels; but I usually go with what feels right. Color and texture are also big sources of inspiration.

GT: Would you say that home decor is your passion?
LB: Home decor is an extension of how I feel about good design.  Good design makes a difference in the quality of your life.

GT: IYO Why is home the new frontier of living a laid back lifestyle?
LB:  People are looking for a refuge and the one place you can count on is home. Living laidback is a return to the movement of making ourselves happy. Home is where we connect with friends, entertain, make love, eat, sleep, play and is a such a huge part of living well.

GT: Good Stuff. What are you currently working on?
LB:  2009 is all about expansion. I’ll be launching a duvet collection this Spring along with a great new pillow collection. I’m working on a few collaborations and speciality boutiques in addition to introducing lounge wear later this year. And as a side tidbit my pillows will also be featured in MTV’s “Real World Brooklyn” premiering January 7th and I’m super excited about this opportunity for Laidback to have national exposure.

GT: What websites and/or trade magazines are a must read for people who are just starting out?
LB: I’m  a huge advocate for social media and viral marketing. Its the new frontier.  There are so many talented entreprenuers, graphic and textile designers of color, but we don’t know who they are or what they do because no one knows how to find them. When you’ve got a new business/venture you’ve got to promote, promote, promote. As for websites I recommend Mashable, Linked In, Facebook, MySpace and anything relevant to Social Media. For design inspiration I check out Grace from DesignSponge, Melinda from Get Togetha, Dede from Clutch, Bella from Afrobella and I do a ton of twittering!  I live on Twitter! Trade magazines I read are HFN, Home Textiles Today, LDB Interiors and WWD. 

GT: What is the most challenging aspect of being an entrepreneur?
LB: Balance. Because I’m always working. 

GT: If you could have dinner with anyone living or past who would you invite?
LB: My mom; who has passed on. The Obamas could come and hang out, my sister, Aaron McGrudger, God, and you GT…I’d like your expert opinion on how I’m doing for that special night. 

Posted by gt on January 6, 2009

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