Millennial Moment | Lauren Whalley

Meet Lauren, a social media strategist and publicist for wedding and lifestyle businesses. She is passionate about telling, and celebrating, brands and the love stories they encounter through social media and PR strategies. Besides running her biz, she loves Disney, podcasts, Instagram, long walks down the aisle and her sweet drummer boyfriend!

1 | Tell me about your company… What does your company do?

I am a social media strategist and publicist for wedding and lifestyle businesses. I am passionate about telling, and celebrating, brands and the stories they encounter through social media and PR strategies.

2 | How long have you been working in your industry?

I’ve been in the marketing/PR world for about six years, as well as the wedding industry. I knew I had to find a way to marry my love for weddings with my passion for social media, PR, and storytelling and with lots of love and support, my little corner of the internet, laurenawhalley.com, was born!

3 | What are some challenges you have faced being an entrepreneur?

I definitely have the perfectionism bug! I would spend hours, days just looking at fonts or colors for my website since it is my online home. One day, I read an article from Jenna Kutcher where she talks about how perfect is a unicorn and done is better than perfect! It’s so true! I still struggle with perfectionism, but I try to put my focus on creating quality content that serves rather than strives for perfection.

4 | How much has social media impacted your business?

Social media IS my business so it’s had a pretty large impact, to say the least! Instagram has not only been great referral sources but they are great for building community.I love collaborative Facebook Groups where I can really get to know other entrepreneurs. I’ve gained several clients from Facebook Groups. Instagram is also amazing, I’m a really big fan of Instagram Stories. I almost check stories more than I scroll my feed! It took time to build up my platforms, but I have a quality following that actually engages!

5 | What motivated you to take the leap and start your own brand?

When I was 23, I was well on my way to having a successful corporate marketing/PR career but I knew I was missing something. While I felt successful on the outside, I was stressed and extremely anxious the inside. While I was trying to figure out what in the world I was going to do, I decided I was going to combine my love for weddings and my passion for social media and PR. I knew absolutely nothing about entrepreneurship but it just felt right. It’s been one of the best leaps I have taken and I am truly happy!

6 | What advice can you give to your fellow millennial entrepreneurs?

Know that you are enough! We spend so much time-consuming content that sometimes we feel like our markets are oversaturated or there is someone else already doing “the thing” we want to be doing. Just because it may already exist, doesn’t mean you can’t do it and do it well. You need to remember that there is no other you and one else shares your unique story. You are so enough!

7 | What is your favorite product and why?

My favorite product right now is my MacBook Pro laptop case from Janet Gwen Designs. Not only are her laptop cases gorgeous (and a great conversation starter at a coffee shop), but they provide amazing protection without being bulky. My MacBook is my prized procession (not to mention, where my business lives!), so protection is important. Design, functionality, and protection, what more could you want! Janet is also a fellow #GirlBoss, so it makes the purchase even sweeter! (Link: https://shop.janetgwendesigns.com)

8 | Who is your biggest influencer or inspiration?

I LOVE Jenna Kutcher. She started her business at the same age as I did. I love not just her work, but who she is and what she stands for. It’s my dream for her to come to Orlando (where I’m located!) and go to Disney together!