Talk Shop: Roxanne Hanna // Hanna Creative
Photo by Read McKendree
ABOUT ROXANNE
In 2017, Roxanne Hanna launched Hanna Creative Co., a boutique creative and digital marketing agency. With clients ranging the spectrum of the creative set, Hanna’s skill is transferring her entrepreneurial experience and eye for beauty to help her clients flourish. As founder and creative director, she brings enthusiasm, optimism, and rigor to every project, as well as an intimate understanding of the pressure and thrill that accompany delivering at a high level. Under Hanna’s direction, Hanna Creative Co. provides an engaging space for clients, one where dreams are considered a starting point for action.
Roxanne is a keen observer, known for seeing possibility in creative businesses and helping to nurture that possibility to life. Her process centers on carefully studying her clients, knowing the marketplace inside and out, and following an intuition grounded in years of experience at the intersection of business and design. Her ultimate goal: mapping out a strategic path for her clients to realize their potential and discover new growth opportunities along the way. We sat down with Roxanne to chat about what it’s like having interior designers as clients, where her design inspiration comes from, and more!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Edited, Timeless, Easy-breezy.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Living in New York City for almost a decade.
Throughout my career, I’ve formed wonderful relationships with some of the most brilliant designers and makers. Each one of them has taught me so much about authenticity and style.
Studying textiles in college. It really sparked my curiosity and interest in how textiles are made and I loved learning about fibers, construction, and materiality. The experience taught me about the importance of quality.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
My favorite thing about what I do is experiencing the incredible exchange of creative energy between my team and our clients - whether it’s a website, brand identity, social campaign or brand strategy initiatives. I love articulating a vision and putting it to action.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
My husband has had a tremendous impact on the trajectory of my career. He is so supportive and I’ve learned so much from him. He has a brilliant marketing mind and is extremely creative but also very practical and always gives me the best advice.
In terms of mentors, I’ve had the great fortune of having many strong women in my life who inspire me. If I had to name one it would be my former boss, Catherine Connolly, CEO of Merida. She has an incredibly selfless and inspiring way of leading and she’s always focused on her employees’ growth and development. I think of what she taught me often and those lessons help me when I’m running my own business and leading my team.
What does your home say about you:
There are not enough hours in a day.
Where do you find inspiration:
Inspiration is everywhere, you just need to keep your mind and heart open. One of my favorite places to reset and get inspired is Brenton Point in Newport, RI.
Who are your style icons:
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Kate Moss, Michelle Williams.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
To me, entertaining is a form of self-expression and it’s a great opportunity to show people how much you care for them. Make everyone feel welcome, curate a fun playlist, arrange a hearty charcuterie board, and serve stiff drinks.
Photo by Read McKendree
Do you collect anything:
Art history and interior design books and art and photography from emerging artists.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@Auguri_Auguri, @AccidentallyWesAnderson, @aspoonfulofbenjamin, @Flamingo_Estate, @ElFennMarrakech, @BeataHeuman, @AMagazineCuratedBy, @ColinKing, and @tmagazine.
What are you working on right now:
We’re excited to be working with Ariel on her design firm’s new website and some elements of the firm’s brand identity!
Wardrobe staples:
Cashmere, midi dresses, and jeans.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
That’s torture to pick just one! I love wallpaper and textiles from Zak + Fox and Peter Dunham. Last year I installed Zak + Fox’s Les Baobabs Amoureux wallpaper in the color Alina in my powder room with dark green trim and I am in love. And who doesn’t love the timelessness of Peter Dunham’s Fig Leaf? I have Fig Leaf pillows for our outdoor living area and they make me so happy.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Don’t buy for your home all at once. Collect pieces you love over time.
Photo by Read McKendree
Best career advice you ever received:
Lead with humility and empathy.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Splurge on lighting, hardware, paint, and bedding.
Save on everyday dishes, flatware, and glassware.
Your greatest extravagance:
Anything that has to do with my hair such as hair products or blowouts.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Too many to list but I do love L’Aviva Home.
Most prized possession and why:
My sweet and crazy dog, Diego.
Your interiors motto:
Mix it up!
Your life motto:
Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Don’t apologize for the things that you love in your home.
My Favorite…
Food: Seafood, all day long. Lobster rolls, littlenecks, oysters (Wellfleet & Matunuck), stuffed quahogs, and clamcakes.
Drink: Manhattan
Film: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Hotel: Belmond Maroma, Riviera Maya (where I got married)
City: Tie between San Miguel de Allende or Florence
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Triple shot iced latte with almond milk.
Playlist: Yacht Rock
Weekend Activity: Snowshoeing with my family.
Design Book: Oh so many! My two recent favorites are the interiors of Robert Stilin & the work of David Wiseman.
