Meet Andrea Allen | CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Allen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have always loved fashion eyewear and accessories. I used to have to search hard to find different, unique pieces that made a statement. Whenever I would wear my accessories (especially my eyewear), I would always get lots compliments to the point to where people would try to purchase my personal eyewear from me. Someone made a statement to me that I should sell sunglasses. I laughed at first, but the thought stuck with me. I shared with my business partner, and he said that’s not a bad idea, but if you’re going to do it, you’re not just going to sell sunglasses you’re going to create your own line of sunglasses. I pondered on that for a while, and then decided that I wanted to create my own brand of unique, trendy, statement, making eyewear. I did just that and took me and my business partner’s first names, combined them, and named the brand Andrea Lamar.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Andrea Lamar is a Fashion Accessories Brand featuring all things fabulous. We originally launched as an Eyewear Brand in 2019, and after much success, quickly grew into a Fashion Accessories Brand featuring Statement Making Eyewear, Fashion Jewelry and Accessories. What set us apart was we came into the game not just selling sunglasses, we had our own custom line of unique, trendsetting eyewear that bore our name. There was nothing average about Andrea Lamar and that was intentional! We soon added fashion jewelry and accessories to our product line and became a brand known for our statement making eyewear, fashion jewelry and accessories . Our mantra is walking into a room and allowing your accessories to do the talking. We believe that your accessories are an expression of who you are. They tell a story. They can also make or break an outfit. We believe in living life, having fun, having adventures, and looking fly and fabulous while doing it. Andrea Lamar is dedicated to enriching the lives of others by featuring high-quality fashionable accessories, while inspiring and invoking confidence in others to express their creativity and style, and that is what I am most proud of. It took a lot of hard work and dedication. There were definitely a lot of sleepless nights however, I had to push through and commit to the fact that quitting was not an option. Every time I fell I just got right back up and kept going. Even when I didn’t want to I did or my business partner picked me up and pushed me back out there! I leaned on God and my business partner Lamar a lot. One of the biggest lessons that I have learned along the way is to expect challenges. You can’t go into business and think that you’re going to be an overnight success, that everybody is going to love and support you and that you are not going to have any problems. If you go in believing this, you are going to be in for a world of disappointment. So once I learned to expect challenges, when they do arise, it does not knock me down like it used to because I pretty much expect it and know how to operate and move forward. What I want the world to know about the brand Andrea Lamar is that we are here, we’re making a statement, we’re not going anywhere, and you are sure to walk into any room and shut it down without saying a word rocking your Andrea Lamar Eyewear and Accessories!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would eat at a few of my favorite places, which are Poor Calvin’s, Fade + Facet, Toast on Lenox, The Real Milk and Honey, Slutty Vegan, Juicy Crab, and a little fine dining at Bone’s Restaurant. We would have drinks at Mela’s, Our Bar ATL, Ace lounge.
We would stay at the Four Seasons
As far as hanging out, we would definitely do a little retail therapy and go shopping. I still love Lenox Mall and Phipps Plaza. Outside of that, we would do whatever my best friend wanted to do as far as tourist attractions, etc. The thing I love about Atlanta is there’s always something new to discover so we would go and explore the city. Each time you discover something new.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would first like to thank God, who is the head of my life. For without Him, nothing would be possible. I would also like to thank my business partner Lamar for his love, support, motivation, and encouragement. Had it not been for him pushing me out of my comfort zone and consistently having my back throughout this journey, Andrea Lamar wouldn’t have made it this far.

Website: www.shopandrealamar.com

Instagram: instagram.com/shopandrealamar/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/andrealamar