Today we’d like to introduce you to Lani Derrick.
Hi Lani, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Life Anchored Home began with something very simple in my own kitchen. I started making vanilla extract for personal use, and after seeing how much better it was than store bought options, I became curious about whether it could be turned into something more. That curiosity led me to start exploring how to bring it to market.
At the time, I was working as a registered nurse and raising my family, so the business grew slowly in the early days. What began as a single product gradually expanded as I started creating other handcrafted items that reflected the same idea of making home feel more intentional and welcoming.
As things grew, I realized that what people were really looking for wasn’t just a product, it was a meaningful way to give to others. That insight naturally shifted the business toward curated gifting. Today, Life Anchored Home has grown into a gifting studio that creates handcrafted goods and elevated gift collections for moments like new homes, client appreciation, holidays, and life’s milestones.
It has been a very organic journey, shaped by both creativity and the support of our family and community. What started as a small kitchen experiment has turned into a business centered around helping people celebrate meaningful moments and make others feel truly appreciated.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Overall, it’s been a fairly smooth road, and I feel really grateful for that. We’ve had a lot of support from our family, friends, and a growing community that has encouraged us every step of the way, which has made a big difference.
That said, like any growing business, there have definitely been challenges along the way. Most of them have been the typical growing pains that come with figuring things out as you go and learning how to balance business and family life. As things started to grow, especially during busy seasons like the holidays, it became clear that I couldn’t do everything on my own.
This past holiday season, we brought on an assistant, Violet, who helps with production, organizing, in person events, and even a bit of social media. That was a big step and has made a huge impact. It’s also very much a family effort. Our kids love to help whenever they can, and my husband and my mom are always there as sounding boards, whether I’m working through a new idea or trying to solve a challenge.
So while there have been challenges, they’ve mostly been part of the natural growth of the business, and having a strong support system has made all the difference.
As you know, we’re big fans of Life Anchored Home. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Life Anchored Home is a gifting studio focused on creating thoughtful, elevated gifts that help people celebrate meaningful moments. We offer handcrafted home goods like candles, soaps, bath soaks, teas, and extracts, and bring them together into curated gift collections for occasions like new homes, client appreciation, holidays, and special milestones.
We’re known for creating gifts that feel intentional rather than generic. Many of our clients are realtors and businesses who want to give something memorable that reflects the moment and leaves a lasting impression. Each collection is designed to feel cohesive, elevated, and meaningful from the moment it’s opened.
What sets us apart is the combination of handcrafted products and custom gift design. Because many of our items are made in house, we’re able to create gifts that feel personal and tailored rather than one size fits all.
What I’m most proud of is that we’ve stayed true to the heart behind the brand. Everything we create is rooted in helping people celebrate, connect, and make others feel genuinely appreciated.
Pricing:
- varies
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lifeanchoredhome.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lifeanchoredhome
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/lifeanchoredhome
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laniderrick
