LAUNE x Nana
Nana isn’t just another bakery—it’s a family’s love letter to banana bread, rooted in New York and carried across three generations. What started with the original recipe handed down through time has grown into a modern venture blending tradition, flavor, and community. Below, founder Sloan shares the story behind Nana and where it’s headed next.
1. Tell me about yourself and Nana. How was it created?
Hi, my name is Sloan, and I’m the founder of Nana. I’m 22 and originally from Atlanta, but I recently moved to New York after graduating from Tulane this past May. I’ve always loved fashion, food, and wellness, but cooking and baking are at the heart of who I am. For me, food has always been about connection—I love gathering with friends around a table, whether that’s trying new restaurants or cooking dinner together on the weekends.
Nana is a very new, but it’s rooted in years of tradition. The recipe comes from my Grandma Sandy, who started baking banana bread in her kitchen in Miami decades ago. I grew up sitting on her counter, sifting flour, and listening to how she “measures with love.” For our big family, banana bread wasn’t just a treat—it was always present, no matter the occasion. That sense of warmth and togetherness is what I’ve carried forward into Nana. I still bake it anytime I go anywhere, and I’ve been so passionate about it that I even wrote my college essay about banana bread (not kidding).
This past summer, I spent time in the Hamptons, wandering through all the gourmet farm stands and bakeries. I couldn’t help but notice the pastries on display—and as much as I admired them, I felt this spark inside me, like I needed to race home and start this. I knew there was space for a brand like mine, something rooted in tradition but elevated with intention. My hope is simply that people try it, share it, and feel that same sense of comfort and joy my family has always felt.
2. What is the LAUNE (mood) of Nana?
Nana carries a mood that’s both nostalgic and elevated. It has all the warmth and comfort of the banana bread you grew up eating, but it’s been reimagined in a way that feels chic, modern, and a little indulgent. If Starbucks’ banana bread is the classic, Nana is its cooler, hotter younger sister—something you want to take to a dinner party, but also grab with your latte.
3. What do you love about banana bread and why?
I love banana bread because it’s simple, and there is so much possibility. Nana is amazing on its own, but I’m already dreaming up ways to take it further—think butters, frostings, toppings, and fillings, from matcha to date caramel.
But it also it carries so much emotion and memory. It reminds me of family, of warmth, of sitting on my grandma’s kitchen counter. For me, it’s not just about the taste—it’s about the ritual of baking it, the smell that fills the kitchen, and the way a single loaf can make people gather together.
4. What do you love about New York?
I love New York because it feels like everything is possible here (yes, I know I sound so cheesy but it’s true!!). On a personal level, I get to live just minutes away from my loved ones for the first time, which has been really special. But beyond that, the city has this energy—you never know who you’ll meet or what opportunity will come from simply putting yourself out there. I once walked into a café on my way home from work, pitched Nana, and the next day we were already on a call planning my first solo pop-up. That’s what I love most—New York gives you constant potential, new connections, and the sense that life can change in an instant.
5. What inspires you?
I’m constantly inspired by creativity in all its forms. Studying graphic design in college, I spent hours scrolling through Pinterest, admiring other people’s ideas and realizing how much we can all learn from one another. That curiosity still drives me today. My family also plays a huge role—everyone is creative in their own way, always sharing ideas and supporting me, which keeps me motivated. And of course, living in New York is endlessly inspiring. Just walking through my neighborhood—seeing what people are wearing, eating, and doing—feels like stepping into a living mood board.
6. What’s next for you and Nana?
What’s next for me and Nana is really about building a community. I feel so passionate and hopeful that Nana can create its own space—whether that’s big or small, what matters most to me is having people who care about the brand, love the taste, and stick with us for the long run. I’m especially excited about the events we have coming up at So Good NYC and Time Again Bar, as well as many more collaborations on the horizon. In October, we’ll also be opening pre-orders for local West Village pickup, and I can’t wait to meet and connect with everyone who’s been supporting Nana in person!
Image Credits to Serok Photography
Rapid Fire:
1. Sweet or savory?
Oh god both. But always savory first followed by a mandatory sweet.
2. Hot or iced?
Iced always!
3. Early mornings or sleeping in?
Love to do both. Depends on the night before lol.
4. Dream collab?
I’d love to see Nana on the shelf of Meadow Lane and other amazing gourmet grocers in the future!
5. Favorite place?
Copenhagen
6. Favorite drinks spot in NYC?
7. Favorite movie?
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
8. What are you loving right now?
Fuze House, ordering in 295 Mercer, and spending time with the people I love
