Meet Yasmine Shehab

I freelanced for a couple of months after grad school and then took over a dessert table business to grow in the South Bay. My design skills came in handy and it brought me joy to see others enjoy my creativity.

A year later, I was offered a full-time position as Art Director for AwesomenessTV. I couldn’t turn down the dream job, so I put my business on hold and jumped on the digital entertainment bandwagon. The experiences and challenges were priceless – they helped me grow as an individual and as a designer.

After four years in the entertainment industry, I needed a break and new inspiration. I quit my job, sold the business and moved to Spain to teach English. I ate unlimited churros con chocolate, traveled and was inspired again – this time with the golden era of Andalusia. I was introduced to prominent historical figures such as “Abbas Ibn Firnas” – who invented the flying machine 600 years before Leonardo Da Vinci, and that made my heart skip a beat.From this newfound inspiration, I decided to collaborate with my best friend, @amjamz, to publish a children’s book in order to highlight the Andalusian influencers that lived before the European Renaissance that shaped the world we live in today.

I’ve been back home for a year now and ever since I’ve been juggling three ventures – taking over the family’s house flipping business, freelancing graphic design and working on the book. I’m enjoying every moment of being self-employed and I wouldn’t change a thing of what my journey has become so far.

Has it been a smooth road?
Life is a series of smooth roads with obstacles in the way. If there were no struggles, one would not know the feeling of ease.

When my family moved us from L.A. to Beirut, we left everything behind and started a new life. It wasn’t easy, and we did it all over again when we moved back years later. However, I’m forever grateful for the experience because it has made me into the person I am today – resilient, determined, humble, passionate and hopeful.

In my professional career, I struggle with being content with the work that I put out in the world. Is it making an impact or a difference? And it isn’t always the case – so that’s why I’m working on the Andalusian influencers book – to fulfill my aspirations and to educate and inspire others.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’ve always helped my family and friends design their homes, plan their weddings and brand their new business ventures. After graduating university, I started Yasmine Shehab Design. For the past 13 years, I’ve worked on a variety of design projects ranging from traditional print to digital art and now to house renovations – a designer of all things, I feel like I’ve done it all.

I believe that my cultural background and travel experiences have helped expand my horizons and strengthen my design abilities. I’m proud of the client relationships that I’ve made over the years and the trust that we’ve built – and it shows from their many referrals.

I’m currently focused on learning the family business and just finished my first house flipping project. It’s definitely been a rollercoaster ride. But I’m still a designer at heart, so taking on side projects has been my creative outlet that helps me manage the craziness of it all.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
L.A. is a great place to start any business. Of course there’s always competition, however there’s a better chance to find your target market along with endless opportunities for collaborations and exposure. I’m currently working out of the South Bay and it’s a great area because of it’s close proximity to the beaches and airport. There’s a great flow of people in and out of the city, and the locals are always willing to support and do business with other locals.

No matter where my wanderlust takes me – South Bay will always be home.