We recently connected with Lauren Hope and have shared our conversation below.
Lauren, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?
Every job has taught me how to be a successful business owner; I have a medley of hard-earned lessons and experiences under my belt! I was trained as a culinary chef at the Culinary Institute of America in New York, but when I became a military spouse and the Army moved me away from my big dreams, reality hit hard. We moved to a remote area that had no fine dining and I needed a job to help my family. So —armed with my Culinary Institute of America pedigree and Best Student Chef title by Food & Wine Magazine in 2005— I took a job at Panera. That experience has continued to support a pillar of business ownership: every job is important, and I am capable of doing any of them. Founders and CEOs may think that doing the “smaller” jobs of running a company are not worth their time, but I know that every detail matters in business. Knowing those details helps me make rock solid business decisions.
Working in hospitality truly taught me to serve others not just with a smile but with my whole heart.
In Savannah, I created beautiful custom cakes for $6/hour (many, many years ago). That internship was 6 months, but the low pay lasted an entire year, and I left after they refused to increase my pay. I understand being underpaid while also not being given credit for my work creates resentment, so I vowed as a business owner to ensure my team was well paid and also always given appropriate credit for their contributions.
When I later ran my own business of catering and custom cakes, I learned that timeliness, attention to detail, and really listening to what a client wants can really set you apart.
In October 2018, at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Conference in Washington DC, I stood up and spoke to the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Milley, and the Sergeant Major of the Army, SMA Dailey. It was terrifying. But I protested against mold in military housing, which provided uninhabitable conditions for our service members and their families. My advocacy that day revealed a lesson that I continue to utilize today: doing the right thing —even when you are scared— is always worth it.
My most recent job (aside from business ownership) was as the Executive Director of a military entrepreneurship nonprofit, the Second Service Foundation. It is a wonderful organization that guides military spouse and veteran entrepreneurs on their journey of business ownership. I fell in love with the mentorship aspect, learning as much as I could about each of our entrepreneurs and pushing them to fulfill their purpose. I learned that sometimes the best way to grow yourself is to encourage others to reach their potential and surpass their goals. Focusing on others can unveil a kinder side of yourself that propels you to success in your own business. Time and time again, I see the fruits of this lesson – outpace your competition through authenticity.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
The Lauren Hope Collective is an umbrella for all my entrepreneurial creativity. Hope Design Ltd. is my handcrafted jewelry business known for its upscale military brooches, which have adorned First and Second Ladies, as well as senior military leader spouses. It is where I pour my physical creativity, designing and creating beautiful heirlooms for our military community and patriotic supporters. Lauren Hope Collective is my business consultancy, where I pour my mental creativity, delivering ideas and strategy for businesses looking for both growth and heart.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I had a successful cooking and catering business when we were stationed at Fort Hood, TX, and I was incredibly proud to finally use my culinary pedigree in a way that served an impressive clientele. However, while we were there, one of my sons was diagnosed with 5 severe food allergies. His comfort and safety were my top priorities, and I refused to cook anything in our kitchen that would jeopardize those things. Without hesitation, I shuttered my catering business.
I pivoted to jewelry from cooking because I was still creating with my hands, just using a different medium. Being able to create beautiful and meaningful works of art became an outlet I didn’t realize I craved, and the outpouring of support from the military community was incredible. My brooches have been worn by First and Second Ladies of the United States, and one of my favorite photos is when I gifted a brooch to former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
It is still amazing to think that what I created and cherished at my kitchen table —when it was quiet and dark in the house after putting my children to bed— is now cherished by others. A business pivot made in necessity has become a fulfillment beyond what I could have imagined at the time.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I am a firm believer in doing the right thing all the time, even when (or perhaps especially when) it is difficult. Integrity has been the backbone of my business efforts, and I think that because I always push to be above-board and exceed expectations, clients trust me. My reputation typically precedes me in business, and I am proud of my character. Integrity, grit, and honesty are the foundation of who I am, and my forward-facing business persona is the same as the person behind closed doors.
“Build Hope, Inspire Confidence, and Create Authentic Connections” is not just a business tagline, but a life motto.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laurenhopecollective.com
- Instagram: @laurenhopecollective
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenHopeCollective
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenhopecollective/
Image Credits
Headshot – Portraits for Patriots