Meet Lane Samata

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lane Samata a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lane, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I have a very competitive personality that I used to view as a weakness, but now I view as a strength. I have learned to channel that competitive energy into myself instead of competing with others. In my industry, design is subjective, so learning my own style is more important than comparing myself to someone else.

I believe that my competitive side is constantly pushing me to be the best version of myself. It is the voice telling me to move how to forward when I am the only person in the room to motivate myself.

I have learned the most important way to keep myself on track is to stay organized and make a plan. I make goals, long and short term, and then build a plan to achieve them. That plan usually consists of a daily to do list, a larger priority list and a lot of blocks on my calendar to keep me on track. Without a certain level or organization, I would go crazy.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a Freelance industrial designer with over 10 years in the industry. An industrial designer is someone who designs physical products.

My favorite things to design are Home goods and furniture. I have also been loving textile and rug designs! But I have also worked in the following categories: Consumer electronics, Kitchenware/Housewares, Food/beverage packaging, Beauty packaging, and Visual Merchandising.

My business works with clients on the entire beginning to end process from idealizing a product to getting it to production and everything in between. This includes: The full conceptual design process, concept renderings, 2D technical drawings, and communicating to manufactures to get the product produced.

I currently design products for other people but I am hoping to design and produce my own line of furniture in the next year. Until then, I am also expanding my online presence by sharing conceptual furniture designs to showcase my style and way of thinking. There is a lot of furniture in the world, I want mine to feel fun and modern with creative details that elevate it beyond the ordinary. If our environment shapes us, I want to be surrounded by special objects that make me feel joy, so that is what I am setting out to create.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Reach out to everyone your know and don’t be afraid of a cold call/email.

When I started, I created a spreadsheet and wrote down over 200 people/companies I wanted to reach out to (This included friends and family). I told them about my new business and sent my portfolio. I asked them to keep me in mind or send my info to others that might need my services (You never know who your friends know). I would update the spread sheet and write down notes on each of my conversations, whether to follow up, etc. When I messaged companies, I would used Linkedin to find 3 employees of different ranks at the company (CEO, Senior designer, junior designer, etc) because you never know who will respond or want to help. Finally, I was not afraid to follow up if someone did not get back to me.

2. Finding mentors and Asking Questions

Find people who have built businesses before (or freelance), buy them a coffee and pick their brain. Ask for advice and get as many opinions as you can.

3. Confidence and consistency

Go into any conversation you have with a potential client with confidence. You are selling yourself and your business. Potential clients can tell when you don’t believe in your own work. Be consistent and keep believing in yourself. There are so many ups and downs running your own business but staying as consistent as possible is the key.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

My goal in the next year is to build my own personal brand and design/produce furniture. I would love to collaborate with content creators to help put my ideas out into the world. I would also love to work with local makers to build the collection localally instead of overseas. Finally, I love meeting like minded creatives and am always open to collaborations!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lanesamata.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanesamata/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lane-samata/