Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Sosa
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Principal + Owner of Laso Design, Laura Naily Sosa is a Brownsville, Texas native who graduated from The Art Institute of Houston with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts with a major in Interior Design, and Master’s Degree in Construction Administration from Dallas Baptist University. As a Houston based Interior Designer, Laura has 15 years of experience designing spaces on a local, national, and international level. Her passion for Design and Architecture have driven Laura to challenge herself by taking on multi-million-dollar projects ranging in Healthcare, Commercial, Multi-Family, Senior Living, Residential, and Research Based Design. She has had the opportunity to travel and incorporate her design skills on projects primarily all over the Middle East region. She established Laso Design in 2021, as a full scale Architecture and Interior Design studio. In 2024, Laso Design won “Best of Design-Backyard Dream Maker” for Modern Luxury Interiors Texas Magazine. Outside of design, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her loved ones, friends, and two fur babies.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing worthwhile comes without effort. Growing up in a small town predominantly Hispanic, I faced numerous obstacles on the path to success. As a first-generation American, the first in my family to graduate college, and the first to venture out of our hometown, my journey was far from easy. At the age of 21, I relocated to Houston to pursue higher education. I requested a job transfer to manage my school expenses and adapted to the rich diversity of the city. Financial struggles made college challenging, as there was never enough money to cover all the materials. Thankfully, friends who became like family lent me their supplies, helping me complete my projects.
After graduation, job hunting proved difficult due to my lack of industry connections. I navigated through various design roles, striving to find my place and believing that a corporate career was the ultimate goal. However, after 15 years as a corporate Senior Project Designer, I decided to leave and founded Laso Design, a tribute to my parents. The name combines my mother’s first name, Laura, and my father’s family name, Sosa, which is also my given name. The greatest challenge was leaving my tight-knit family to chase my dreams. Their unwavering support and constant prayers inspired me to dream big and become a determined achiever.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Laso Design?
Architecture and Interior Design are my true passions. From a tender age, I was certain about my career path. Discipline was the key to turning my dreams into reality. The desire to own a business always lingered in my mind, yet taking that leap was the most daunting experience of my life. Thus, Laso Design was born, a firm grounded in creating connections with people through design.
Many still misunderstand Interior Design, often confusing it with mere decorating or staging, as it remains a relatively nascent profession. My perspective was transformed by a college professor who introduced me to healthcare design, marking a pivotal moment in my journey. Consequently, I dedicated my senior portfolio to designing ADA-compliant spaces for individuals with disabilities or special needs. When I founded Laso Design, I committed to incorporating healthcare design principles into all my space planning efforts.
My designs strive to offer not just aesthetic appeal but enduring functionality. As curators of space, our mission is to enhance lives by crafting meticulously planned environments, which brings me the greatest fulfillment. Design speaks its own language, urging you to explore and innovate in the pursuit of excellence.
Established in 2021, Laso Design is a firm dedicated to creating spaces that embrace cultural diversity and incorporate regional and religious elements, while reflecting the client’s unique style and promoting their well-being.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Ignore the negative remarks. Maintain your focus, stay humble, and continue to persevere. My parents strongly believe in trusting God’s plan. It can be challenging, and at times it remains difficult to keep faith when things don’t go as planned. Your ego may feel fragile when certain opportunities slip away, but rest assured, better ones await. Everything unfolds exactly as it should. Each phase of life presents its own challenges at a level you can manage; otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to withstand them. When you dream big, remember that every setback is just preparing you for something greater. Teachers and even family members doubted me when I first shared the news of my college acceptance. Embrace curiosity, make mistakes, and find your community. Above all, prioritize networking. Building connections early in your career is vital, and ultimately, enjoy yourself and pursue your passions. I am living proof that with hard work, dreams can indeed become reality.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@lasodesignstudio.com
- Instagram: lasodesignllc
