We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura McElyea . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura below.

Laura , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Through my entrepreneurial journey I discovered that everyone measures success differently. It is important not to compare your success and failures to others. For some being successful means making a lot of money, for others it may mean more time with family, it all depends on what your goals are. Their are a few characteristics that determine whether or not you’re going to be successful. You must be bold, motivated, organized, show confidence in the face of adversity, and above all always educate yourself. I believe constant education no matter how small will set you apart from the rest. In a room full of “no’s” make them say “YES”. Success to me means the will to keep pushing forward because you know it will pay off in the end. Always being a problem solver, a risk taker, never a “surface thinker”, and permanently removing the words “I don’t know, and I can’t” from your vocabulary. Success tips can be found anywhere, it is my belief that being successful is making the world a better place and practicing gratitude and showing kindness at all times. Being a good human is the ultimate success.

Laura , 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?

My name is Laura McElyea and I am the owner of Intent Marketing Group. My experience consists of over 15 years in internet sales, digital marketing, automotive, graphic design and social media. I grew up watching my father develop and run our successful family digital marketing business and learned a lot about marketing and business at a very young age. Over the course of the last 15 years I have worked with small businesses and corporations nationwide, constantly growing my knowledge and skillset in a variety of industries. In 2018 I opened Intent Marketing Group in Greenville SC, 100% remote, with the dream of helping small business while creating a legacy for my children. I am a proud single mom of special needs twins and I am grateful I have been able to keep my business open during the pandemic. Through networking on social media and attending local events, I have been able to create lasting connections. Intent Marketing Group was created and designed to help small business grow on social media. Social media is an effective tool if your marketing is strategic and intentional. Your story is your brand, my job is to tell your story.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2014 I was blessed with twins and I found myself a single mother in Atlanta at the start of my career. Being a single income household meant I had to work harder than others to provide. I found myself in the automotive industry selling cars and I actually was really good at it. I fell in love with the automotive industry but the hours I was working meant I never saw my babies. I found myself in a situation a lot of single parents face, keep working to provide and never see your kids or find a career less demanding. With the rising costs of childcare with the hours I had I knew I had to make a change. In 2018 I rented a moving truck, loaded up my twins, my dog and my apartment and moved to Greenville SC where I knew no one. You’re probably thinking, ” you’re crazy, you moved to another state with 2 kids and didn’t know anyone?” Yep, I sure did. With risk their is great reward. I left Atlanta behind, automotive behind, moved to South Carolina, rented a home and started working for a local shed company doing internet sales. After working for the shed company for some time I experienced a lay off and then the news that my daughter had been diagnosed with Autism and a few other disabilities. I knew that working a 9-5 for what my kids needed what not going to work. I quickly pivoted, took another risk and opened my business with all of the knowledge I had acquired years before. I slowly found clients on social media through networking, and grew my business to a household name in the local community. You can do anything if you just keep going, even if you fall. I want my children to know anything is possible with a little elbow grease.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

At the start of my career I was a 20 something female automotive sales representative in Atlanta Georgia. I noticed the staff at most dealerships was always made up of primarily men except the receptionist. Eager to learn the automotive industry I was naïve to what women experienced selling cars, and that is why the staff ratio was what is was. I quickly learned that customers, management and staff always underestimated women in the industry. Being the natural leader that I am, I wanted to prove everyone wrong and blow everyone out of the water with sales and customer service. I wanted to prove that women can compete in a mans world. Automotive is not for the faint of heart. You will experience long hours, weekends, inconsistent pay, difficult clients and management, dealership changes and more. As a single mom with preemie twins at home, working a notoriously difficult industry gave me the backbone to be a better mother and entrepreneur. What I experienced was difficult but the knowledge and skill I walked away with is invaluable. It takes resilience, patience and confidence to succeed in the face of adversity. Its an even bigger pill to swallow when you feel obligated to be a game changer. Yes you can be a leader and a mother and be successful. At the end of the day, I am raising future leaders.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intent_marketing_group/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intentmarketingroup
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-mcelyea-93566712a/