Elana N. Baker or Lana as some call her is the founder and head designer for Justana Designs and events. Born in Chicago, IL but raised in the NW suburbs, Lana has diversified her designing range to fit all styles and aesthetics. She works in the dental industry by day but Lana has been creating themed parties for as long a she can remember, in addition to personalized custom gifts for loved ones. Expressing herself in creative ways is how she learned to cope with all life's challenges.
Elana is one of four siblings to Mother, Elaina, whom she is named after. She has One older brother, a younger sister and brother on her mom side and a plethora of sibling on her father’s side. During her high school years, athletics were her outlet and way of dealing with adolescence drama. She not only played basketball but ran on a record breaking, state placing track team. Here is where her love for community and unity blossomed.
She graduated from Elgin community college with her associates in Psychology and certification as a clinical dental assistant. She been working with teeth for ten years. Probably why she is always smiling. Her favorite thing about dental assisting is being able to add value to a patient’s life by educating them about their oral health, which is essential to their overall health.
Much like in high school, Elana, as an adult needed an external outlet for her emotions. Sports and competition have always been a huge part of her life and business is a new game for her to learn and dominate. On Sundays, you can catch her playing defense for her coed flag football team. Lana has learned that a physical outlet is the best way to keep her mind sharp and body healthy. She has won a Women’s league championship despite tearing her ACL and meniscus in 2019 during playoffs.
Laughter is good for the soul and a good laugh will be had, hanging around Elana. Her kindness must be the most dominating character trait that she possesses. Never afraid to be vulnerable around other and always willing to share her story. Elana has overcome much adversity in her life. Choosing to move out at the young age of 19 with her then boyfriend, now ex-husband, caused her to mature sooner than initially intended. her spirit animal must be a Phoenix because regardless of how many time the world or life burns her, she manages to rise every time. Elana has chosen to focus on her business, family and friends. After her divorce, she decided to relocate to the city of Chicago, where she was born but had very little relationship with. This was her time to explore a city she called home, expand her view points and perception of life. Here in Chicago, JustLana began to finally take mold. She was introduced to new Community of ppl and new ways of life. She always knew she was too grand for the suburbs but was afraid she would be eaten up by the grind of city life. Combining where she came from and her now new life, JustLana redefine who she was and what she stood for. Her outlook on what life could really be was completely transformed. The beast she was known to be was awaken. For it had went dormant during her 10-year long relationship with her now ex-husband and the years following their separation and ultimately their divorce in 2020. She knew she was different and now she felt it.
It was her mother-in-law that continuously pushed and praised her creative mind. Whether it was how Lana did her make or how she managed to decorate for a bridal shower with a very small budget, she knew Lana had what it took so start her own business. With Debbie’s unexpected passing in 2020, Elana felt she now had no choice but to honor her by striving for a dream that was planted by someone who loved her as her own.
With the support of her family and close friends, Lana started on a creative journey and brought herself a Cricut and embarked on an intentional voyage to carefully craft relationships and connection with people she felt would continually inspire, challenge and hold her accountable to the self-growth she was determined to mature. She began making shirts for every occasion and was the designated party decorator. She was intentional about how her time was spent and only wanted to bring value to her life, no more empty friendships or living below her potential.
In 2022, she decided to turn her hobby into her livelihood. In just a few short years, she has established a steady client base of repeat bookings and sales. She has continued to expand her brand and services offered. JustLana not only offers custom apparel for birthdays, bachelorette parties and sports team jerseys but she specializes in turning any event, party or celebration into the talk of the town. Intimate arrangement packages for your special someone, luxury picnics for private gatherings, as well as TableScapes to add that razzle dazzle to your brunch, dinner party or holiday feast are just a few of the services offered by JustLana Designs. The goal of JustLana Designs is to have everyone feel like a local celebrity and bring their vision to life.
Following the 2020 Covid pandemic, we know that our lives can be shortened in the blink of an eye. So, do not wait to celebrate yourself or your loved ones in a big way. Give them their flowers while they are here to smell them. Honor those around you in a way that they know they are truly loved and appreciated. JustLana is here to help.
d and appreciated. JustLana is here to help.