Meet LaNai Clark | Mother & small business owner

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

Hi LaNai, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
Honestly, the most powerful thing I’ve ever done as a parent was deciding to heal myself. As a single mom raising a Black son in Atlanta, I knew I couldn’t parent him from my pain, my trauma, or my triggers. Therapy forced me to slow down and take a hard look at my patterns. How I reacted, how I communicated, and how I showed up. And I realized some of what I thought was ‘strength’ was really survival mode. Some of what I called ‘discipline’ was just me repeating what I saw growing up.

Doing that healing changed everything for us. I’m not as reactive. I don’t shut down. I listen to actually hear him, not just to check a box or prove a point. Now we talk—really talk—as two human beings trying to understand each other, not just as ‘Mother’ and ‘Son.’ And because of that, he opens up to me in ways he never did before. He trusts me with his emotions, his fears, his questions about being a young Black man in this world.

I want my son to see a version of me that’s whole, not wounded. I want him to know softness, not just toughness. And I want him to grow up knowing that expressing yourself is not weakness, it’s strength. Healing myself made me a better mother, and it created a safer space for him to grow, to speak, and to be seen. That, to me, is the most impactful thing I’ve ever done as a parent.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is mixology, but really my passion is creating experiences. Anybody can pour a drink, but not everybody can set a vibe, build a connection, or make people feel something through a glass. That’s what sets me apart. I treat bartending like storytelling. Every cocktail I craft has personality, mood, and intention behind it, and I want people to walk away from my bar feeling seen, celebrated, and taken care of. I don’t just serve drinks. I create moments.

I’m most proud of the fact that I built this from the ground up. No handouts. No shortcuts. Just consistency, prayer, creativity, and hustle. Where I am today in my career took almost a decade of grinding. From getting certified back in 2014, to working long nights and early mornings, to pouring, promoting, and proving myself again and again. And no, it wasn’t easy. Being a single mother, juggling bills, life, grief, and goals will test you in ways that are hard to explain. There were times I wanted to quit, times I felt overlooked, and times life hit me harder than any job ever could. But every time, I chose to keep going.

The biggest challenges weren’t the opportunities I didn’t get. It was fighting self doubt, staying motivated when nobody was clapping, and learning that every ‘no’ wasn’t a door closing. Sometimes it was God redirecting me. Healing, therapy, motherhood, and my circle of support taught me how to push through without losing myself. I learned that my authenticity is my superpower. I don’t have to sound like everybody else, look like everybody else, or bartend like everybody else to win. I just have to be me.

What I want the world to know is this: my brand is built on love, energy, and excellence. I don’t just bartend, I curate an atmosphere where people feel good from the inside out. I want to be remembered for the experiences I gave, the joy I sparked, and the way I poured into people beyond the glass. My story is still being written, and I’m excited because I know I’m just getting started. There’s so much more growth, so many more rooms, so many more cities, and so many more people I’m going to impact through this craft. And I’m grateful for every step that led me here.

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.
If my best friend was visiting Atlanta for a week, I’d make sure they got the full experience: the food, the vibes, the culture, and the nightlife. We’d start with brunch at Toast on Lenox because in Atlanta, brunch is a whole mood. After that, we’d hit the BeltLine for a walk, some people watching, and maybe slide through Ponce City Market to check out the shops and the energy. Dinner would be at Mary Mac’s Tea Room for that classic Southern comfort, and the night would end at Atlantis Lounge for chill vibes, hookah, and laughs. Another day would be all about history and culture. We’d hit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, stroll down Auburn Avenue, and visit the King Center. Lunch would have to be at Slutty Vegan because, come on, you can’t visit Atlanta and not try it, and the evening could be spent exploring the Trap Music Museum, followed by drinks and live music at Blue Martini.

Midweek, I’d show them the skyline, starting with breakfast at Barney’s, then a ride on SkyView Atlanta and some time in Centennial Park. Dinner would be at 5Church Midtown, and we’d end the night rooftop style at Ponce City Rooftop or High Note, taking in the city lights with cocktails in hand. We’d need a chill day too, so I’d take them to Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden, grab a light lunch, then have a low key evening with wine, charcuterie, and laughter, maybe wrapping up at Suite Food Lounge for live music. Another day would be about shopping, sipping, and flexing a little. Lenox or Phipps for shopping, lunch at True Food Kitchen or Rock’s Chicken & Fries, and then maybe Illuminarium or Cascade if we want to skate, ending the night at The Battery or Uptown Comedy Corner for drinks and laughs.

One day, I’d take us out of the city entirely. Stone Mountain for sunshine, water, and scenery. Dinner would be at The Optimist if we’re feeling seafood or Garden Parc for good food and energy, then dance the night away at Compound or Domain. We’d finish the week with a Sunday reset. Brunch at Garden Parc or Milk & Honey for mimosas and southern plates, wandering through Little Five Points to shop, explore, and people watch, and then ending the trip cozy with dinner at Two Urban Licks, pajamas, leftovers, and Netflix.

Atlanta is a city full of Black excellence, creativity, culture, food, and flavor. There’s always something happening, always someone inspiring to meet, and always a vibe to catch. By the end of the week, my best friend would leave tired, full, smiling, and already planning their next trip back.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my mother, Marvella Payne. She was my biggest supporter, my constant motivator, and the purest example of love I’ve ever known. My mom was the most caring, sensitive, and selfless woman you could meet. She raised four children alongside my father and still made each of us feel seen, protected, and poured into. She was our rock. No matter what she had on her plate, our wellbeing always came first.

I can admit now that we were spoiled by her, and I took some of that love for granted, because she made sacrifice look effortless. She even gave up her second job just so she could get my son up and ready for school while I drove buses from 5am to 4pm. That’s the kind of mother she was always giving, always showing up, always putting family first.

Losing her in January of 2022 shook my world and stole the wind from my spirit for a while. I lost my passion. I lost my drive. But even now, I can still hear her voice pushing me to keep going, to be a better woman and a better mother. She always appreciated every small thing I did for her, never knowing I was really just trying to repay her for the countless big things she did for me.

There is no me without her. When you look up the word supportive, I swear you should see her picture. My success, my resilience, my heart. So much of who I am is because of her. This shoutout, and every accomplishment that follows, will always be for her.

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