Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Caroline Toms.
Hi Anna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Anna Caroline Toms, I am the owner of L.A. Green here in Nashville. I am originally from Columbus, MS, and graduated from Mississippi State University in 2017 with a degree in Business. I have been in love with fashion and styling since I was very young, so always knew that was the path my career would take me down.
The first and original L.A. Green location in Starkville, MS was a huge part of my life throughout high school and college and my favorite local boutique to fill my closet with. There was something special about L.A. Green that always caught my attention, whether it was the window displays, carefully-curated inventory for that season, or just the general warmth that you felt when entering. Upon graduating, I was given the opportunity to sit down and speak with the franchise owner, Lauren Ann Cooper, about potentially opening a location of my own. With Nashville always being on my radar since I was young, it was an easy answer as to where we would begin our next adventure, and we’ve been going strong ever since that day!
After lots of time and research, we landed in the Capitol View development in the North Gulch. I opened in November of 2019 right before the pandemic hit and have been working hard to bring love and light to the L.A. Green name every single day since. I cannot imagine putting down my roots in any other city or state. Nashville has always had my heart and is my favorite place to call home!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve never driven on a road that didn’t have a few bumps. Challenges have been thrown at us every step of the way, and even though it wasn’t enjoyable at the moment, it has only pushed me to work harder and grow in ways that I didn’t know I needed. From finding a location that fit our needs to securing funding, to completing the buildout in time for our grand opening – I only thought I had hit the speed bumps then.
Opening in a brand new development meant we would really have to push to bring the foot traffic in and keep it flowing, that was supposed to be the challenge for the next year. Little did I know we would quickly be impacted by a night of devastating tornadoes that touched down only a few blocks away, a global pandemic that would bring on a year that no one could have ever predicted, and we finished 2020 off with a Christmas Day bomb that once again, hit a little too close for comfort. It is very easy to get down about the past year that we have faced, but everything has a silver lining, and we are all in this together.
I have met so many incredible people that have walked through our doors or even just chatted with us over our Instagram. Strangers that now feel like close friends from all over the country have reached out with a hand of support, even if it’s just a quick little like or comment on our social media posts to let us know that they are there. It all means the world to me. I see each and everyone, and as the saying goes, I truly do a little dance each time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
L.A. Green was founded in 2011 in Starkville, MS by Lauren Ann Cooper. L.A. Green offers a unique shopping experience with the highest quality selection of the most sought-after brands. We pride ourselves on our customer service and our ability to offer a personalized approach to retail unlike any other. We want you to walk out of our doors feeling empowered and loved.
Inspired by family values and community, L.A. Green is more than just another retailer and aims to create jobs, stimulate local economies, and enable small business owners to achieve personal success. As a growing franchise, we are run by some pretty spectacular women that aim to inspire value, integrity, and purpose in everything we do.
We believe in fashion almost as much as we believe in sharing God’s love with our customers and aim to inspire love, kindness, and creativity through our timeless style. Through these efforts, we strive to personify our slogan, “Forever Lovely.”
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk-taking?
I was barely 23 years old when I decided to put everything on the line and jump headfirst into this world of fashion and business. I guess you could say I am here to take the risks, even when the outcome is completely unknown.
You have to have faith and believe in yourself and know that you can do whatever you set your mind to. Life is short, why not?
Contact Info:
- Email: nashville@shoplagreen.com
- Website: https://shoplagreen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagreennashville/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shoplagreennashville/
Image Credits
Gabrielle McQueen Photography, and Anna Caroline Toms
