We had the good fortune of connecting with Talen Lane and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Talen, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
To give a little background, I have worked for small businesses, corporations but have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I would recommend for all people, regardless if you are interested in owning your own business or work as an employee to do both. Most of my working history has been with corporations and while they get a bad rap, there is much to learn and absorb from their success. There is a certain way to conduct business, organize workload, present yourself in order to be recognized. I watch creatives with no background in professionalism struggle to get noticed or taken seriously. While longevity in corporate life isn’t for everyone, you can most certainly take advantage of the lessons learned in that environment.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a retail buyer for a home decor company and have been in the space for close to ten years now. I started as an assistant, learning the ropes and making all of the mistakes. I always excelled in school so to have moments where I didn’t understand or struggled to learn was humbling in the best way possible. I was promoted to associate level within two years which for the company structure was a great accomplishment. I was just starting to gain traction when a move to Atlanta due to my husband’s career threw a wrench in everything I was doing. I had to take a lower title to get my footing here but I learned something from each and every role. While I wasn’t as satisfied, I knew that I just had to have faith and diligence to get back to a place where I was fulfilled again. Coming full circle, I was able to go back to my old company, remotely and promoted into the Buyer role. I couldn’t be happier and am working towards growing more in this space to advance my knowledge and position. In stark contrast of the above, I am also a yoga teacher and wellness advocate launching a new business with my husband called Lane Wellness Co. I found a passion for fitness after many years of inactivity and unhealthy habits. I started by taking barre classes, became a certified instructor, then found yoga. When I began my teaching yoga, I fell hard and eventually became a teacher trainer to help others learn how to teach. I have obtained numerous certifications, hundreds of instructing and training hours but yoga is more than fitness to me, it is incorporated into every aspect of my life. It is the perfect balance to my structured career and allows me to channel creative energy through movement. To sum it all up I learned to: stay humble while acknowledging your success along the way, never be above anything, there is always a lesson that can be learned and demand what you are worth because you are!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta has so much to do!
Cultural-Civil Rights Museum, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Piedmont Park, Atlanta Botanical Garden
Food-Slutty Vegan, Two Urban Licks, Nancy’s Pizza, Beetlecat, South City Kitchen
Shopping-Ponce City Market, Westside Market, Atlantic Station
Drinks-Red Telephone Booth, Bar Vegan, Ponce Roof Top
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I most certainly wouldn’t be where I am without the support in my life. In my childhood, I learned to grind and work hard from my father which also taught me to shift my perspective of work life balance. My husband is my number one cheerleader, encouraging and pushing me when I don’t think I am capable. He is someone who I can vent to with no judgement, bounce ideas off of to which he provides great insight and calls me on my bs when necessary. We are very excited to be launching something together in 2021 in the wellness space which has been a long time coming. In yoga, I wouldn’t have been inspired to transition this passion to a career without my friend and mentor Tara Winterhalter. She is an incredible creative mind to which I aspire to be able to channel creativity the way she does. One of my work mentors and boss Amy Sullivan has shown me the ropes in the corporate retail space and has always fought for me to have my success recognized by those who make impactful decisions regarding my career.
Instagram: @in_my_lane
Linkedin: Talen Lane
Facebook: In My Lane
Image Credits
@smarchephoto @simonereneephoto