We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauren Morrison a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

Make The Shift, under the guidance of its founder Lauren, primarily addresses the unique challenges faced by men and women of color in leadership and entrepreneurial roles. This focus is deeply interwoven into Lauren’s own journey and the systemic barriers she observed during her rapid ascent from an entry-level project manager to a Director in a major corporation. Despite the external achievements, many individuals in this community continue to face isolation, underrepresentation, and nuanced barriers to success.

Lauren’s personal and professional experiences have made her acutely aware of the gaps between potential and opportunity, particularly for people of color. Through her story, and those of her clients like Hema Persad, Lauren demonstrates a deep understanding of the cultural and systemic challenges faced by this underserved community. Hema, for example, sought Lauren’s guidance feeling stuck and undervalued despite her obvious talent. Lauren’s empathetic and informed coaching empowered Hema to navigate unique hurdles, resulting in significant personal and professional growth.

In addition to the systemic and external challenges, Hema Persad’s journey also exemplifies the internal barriers faced by individuals of color in predominantly white industries. Her narrative is particularly resonant in the mainstream design industry, where diversity is notably lacking. Hema’s transition from a solo-entrepreneur to a public figure and television star stands as a beacon of possibility against a backdrop of uniformity. This transformation is not just a testament to her resilience and talent but also speaks volumes about the changing dynamics of representation in spaces traditionally dominated by a single demographic.

This part of Hema’s story holds a special place in Lauren’s heart, highlighting a personal connection to the impact of representation in media and professional fields. Lauren recalls a poignant moment with her daughter, who at the age of nine aspired to be an interior designer on HGTV. Yet, even at that tender age, her daughter believed that her dreams were unattainable because she rarely saw women of color in such roles. This moment crystallized for Lauren the importance of visibility and representation – it underscored the silent messages sent to young minds about who belongs in certain spaces and who does not.

Through Make The Shift, Lauren endeavors to dismantle these internal and external barriers, providing a platform for individuals like Hema to showcase their talents on a larger stage and, more importantly, serving as a role model for young girls and boys who dream of breaking into industries where they are underrepresented. This commitment extends beyond personal coaching to systemic change, underscoring the transformative power of diversity and representation in every sphere of professional life.

Moreover, Make The Shift extends its services beyond individual coaching by partnering with major corporations to train their top leaders and executives. This aspect of Lauren’s work addresses a critical gap in these environments, where faces of color are almost nonexistent. Through these engagements, Lauren brings a necessary perspective and set of strategies aimed at enhancing performance, inclusivity, and understanding within these high-level circles. She leverages her extensive experience and insights to foster environments where diversity is not just recognized but valued for its positive impact on decision-making, innovation, and corporate culture.

In serving these communities, Make The Shift is not merely addressing a market need but contributing towards creating a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse leadership landscape. The significance of this work extends beyond individual success stories; it’s about transforming corporate cultures and breaking systemic barriers, thereby enabling a new generation of leaders who can drive change and inspire others within and beyond their communities.

Lauren, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi, I’m Lauren, founder of Make The Shift, a coaching firm designed to empower and guide men and women of color in the professional sphere. Growing up, I was caught in a dichotomy between career success and personal fulfillment, believing that one could only come at the expense of the other. My career in a major corporation, evolving from an entry-level project manager to Director, alongside roles such as a public speaker and mentor, provided a solid foundation in leadership and business. However, it was the transition from an OR mindset to an AND perspective that truly transformed my path, leading me to embrace both financial success and purposeful work.

In 2021, I took the leap, uprooting my life to establish a coaching business in Los Angeles, focused on business and leadership performance. This was more than a career change; it was a commitment to addressing the gaps and barriers faced by professionals of color, a group historically underserved in corporate leadership roles.

Make The Shift offers tailored coaching programs and services, drawing from my own experiences and challenges in corporate environments where diversity was lacking. Our services range from individual coaching sessions to group workshops and corporate training programs. Each is designed to dismantle internal and external barriers, enabling our clients to achieve their full potential and redefine their narratives of success.

What sets us apart is our deep understanding and commitment to the unique experiences of people of color in professional settings. We provide not just strategies but empathy, understanding, and community. One notable story that underscores our mission involves a client, Hema Persad, who transitioned from a solo entrepreneur to a public figure and television star in an industry where she was one of the few faces of color. Her journey mirrors a personal moment when my own daughter, at nine, felt that her dreams were unattainable due to the lack of representation in the field she admired. It is these stories that fuel our commitment to change and representation.

I am most proud of the tangible changes and growth seen in our clients and the broader cultural shifts we’re helping to foster. For potential clients, followers, and fans, know that Make The Shift is more than a coaching firm; it’s a movement towards inclusive success, where your unique challenges are acknowledged, and your dreams are valid and attainable. We’re here to ensure that professionals of color no longer feel sidelined but empowered to make significant impacts in their fields and beyond.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One pivotal lesson I had to unlearn in my journey, a shift that was both challenging and liberating, was the idea that my value is intrinsically linked to my achievements. This lesson was deeply ingrained during my tenure in the corporate world, where success was often quantified by tangible results and numbers. However, this mindset led me to a state of perpetual dissatisfaction and burnout, constantly chasing the next milestone without truly appreciating the journey or acknowledging the real impact of my work.

The backstory to this unlearning begins in the high-pressure environment of corporate leadership, where I excelled in climbing the ranks and achieving professional accolades. However, despite the external markers of success, I found myself grappling with a void that no title or paycheck could fill. This realization hit me hard when, despite achieving everything I thought I wanted, I whispered to myself in the quiet of pre-dawn mornings, “I hate it here.” This discontent was further compounded by an internalized belief system that equated success with relentless work and tangible outcomes, sidelining the importance of purpose, passion, and personal growth.

The turning point came when I decided to shift my focus from merely scoring results to scoring my habits and aligning my daily actions with my deeper purpose. This transition was not about abandoning the pursuit of excellence but redefining what excellence meant to me. It involved a profound process of introspection and reevaluation, where I began to value the intangible aspects of success: the growth experienced, the lives touched, and the personal fulfillment derived from meaningful work.

Untraining the corporate mindset meant learning to put purpose ahead of the numbers. It involved a conscious effort to prioritize what truly mattered to me: making a positive impact, fostering genuine connections, and contributing to a larger cause beyond mere financial gains. It was about scoring my habits – the small, daily actions that aligned with my values and purpose – rather than just the end results. This shift not only transformed my approach to work but also how I measured success, leading to a more balanced, fulfilling life.

What sets me apart in this journey is my commitment to helping others navigate this complex landscape of redefining success. Through Make The Shift, I offer a space for professionals, particularly those of color, to explore their values, redefine their metrics of success, and align their careers with their authentic selves. My work is not just about professional development; it’s about personal transformation and breaking the chains of conventional achievement metrics.

I am most proud of the profound transformations my clients experience, from overcoming internalized barriers to achieving a harmonious blend of success and satisfaction. My goal for potential clients, followers, and fans is to understand that at Make The Shift, we delve deep into the intricacies of personal and professional growth, challenging and supporting you to align your aspirations with your true purpose. It’s about creating a life and career not just filled with achievements, but with meaning, joy, and a deep sense of fulfillment.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Instagram has been the best source of new clients in navigating this new paradigm. Despite the platform’s constantly changing algorithm, which can make visibility a challenge, I’ve found joy in the process. I show up authentically, sharing my energy, vulnerability, purpose, and mission, regardless of likes and comments. This approach has allowed me to connect genuinely with my audience, providing value and showcasing the real impact of my work beyond conventional metrics.

This authentic engagement on Instagram has not only attracted new clients but has also fostered a community of individuals who resonate with my message and approach. It underscores the importance of genuine connection over superficial metrics, aligning with my broader mission to redefine success and value in both personal and professional spheres.

I am proud of this journey and the community we’ve built. For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that Make The Shift is more than just a coaching service; it’s a movement towards a more fulfilling, purpose-driven life and career. Here, success is measured not by societal standards but by personal growth, impact, and alignment with one’s true self.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.maketheshiftcoach.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/coachlaurenmorrison
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachlaurenmorrison
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachlaurenmorrison/
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/coachlaurenmorrison

Image Credits
Ginger and Carrot Productions