ATIV LIFESTYLE

From tragedy to triumph

In the heart of Detroit, in 1991, a new lifestyle company named Kre’a’shens was born. This company, which offers hair, fashion, and custom design services, has a unique and heartfelt origin that traces back to the owner’s, LaJuana, family roots, love for culture, travel, and a deeply personal story.

LaJuana grew up in Detroit, surrounded by this atmosphere of creativity and elegance. She watched her mother, Vita work tirelessly to make everything around her beautiful and unique. As a baker, Vita’s philosophy was simple: to live is to create, and through her baking, personal style, and inviting personality she did just that.

LaJuana was motivated by her children, Billy, Chanel, LaJuana Jr, and Kristin to build a legacy, but inspired by her mother to create!!  Her mother, Vita, whose name means “life” or “to live" in Italian was not just a name but a symbol of vibrancy, energy, and the zest for life. Vita was a woman who lived her life with a passion for creativity and beauty. She had an innate talent for transforming the mundane into the extraordinary, a trait she passed onto her daughter., 

However, despite her vibrant exterior, Vita struggled with deep personal challenges. Tragically, she took her own life, leaving a profound impact on LaJuana. The loss was devastating, but it also became a turning point. LaJuana vowed to keep her mother’s memory alive and to honor her legacy in a way that would help others find beauty and joy in their lives, just as Vita had always done. To use her company as a vehicle for advocacy for those struggling and those survivors left behind to pick up the pieces and continue on. This mission gave birth to the brand, “Just LaJuana”.  This new venture celebrates, encourages, and motivates the authentic person without all the titles and labels. Under this brand is where her literary, and other artistic endeavors are promoted.

This also sparked the rebranding of her company in 2011.  She changed the business name to Ativ, her mother's name backward which was her mother's business name. She knew she wanted to honor her mother’s legacy and what better way than to continue what she started. She wanted to create a brand that embodied the spirit of life and creativity that her mother had instilled in her.  The name Ativ pays homage to her mother and symbolizes a fresh, new perspective on life and the creativity that Vita represents.

Ativ, with its roots deeply embedded in the concept of life and living, aimed to offer more than just services; it sought to provide experiences that would inspire and uplift its clients. Whether through a stunning hairstyle, a fashion-forward outfit, or a custom-designed piece, Ativ’s goal was to help people express their individuality and live their lives to the fullest. 

The company's ethos is a testament to Vita’s influence: anything but ordinary, and through Ativ, LaJuana continues her mother’s legacy, one beautiful creation at a time.

Currently, LaJuana is studying trichology, natural pathic medicine, and TV and film production to expand her knowledge and offerings to her clients.