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

Laura, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

After moving across the county and the addition of twins to our family, I found myself going through anxiety over all the baby gear and boxes. There was a direct correlation between my belongings and my overall feelings daily. Through organizing my own home, I discovered a passion for helping others find peace in their homes as well.

My small business was successful for 3 years until my passion shifted. The website I used no longer served the purpose I needed to so I was prompted to figure it out on my own. I built a logo, created my website, and branded my home organizing business and realized that I enjoyed designing almost as much as organizing. Soon after, I enrolled at Johnson County Community College to pursue a degree in Graphic Design.

When I’m not in class, you can find me at the park with my kids, at the local thrift store searching for an upcycle project, or running with my puppy, Rosey.

Laura, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’d love others to know that while I’m no longer taking on new organizing clients, my love for organizing is still strong and present in my life. I continue to give advice or suggestions via social media and I love interacting with friends and followers about life as a mother, a business owner, a student and a friend.

In just a few short semesters I hope to be designing and for businesses and people throughout Kansas City. I’m not oblivious to the fact that I’m a little older then most of the other students in my program but I do want to motive others to pursue their passions at every age and stage in their lives.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Throughout my life I’ve always been creative. Although I’m not the best at drawing, I gave it up as a young kid because I compared myself to the other kids in my class. The comparison trap is a hard one to get past. I had to stop doubting my abilities and see my potential.

Drawing isn’t easy for most people but in all honesty, you don’t have to be the best at drawing to be good at graphic design. With the development of online applications and resources there’s so many different ways to design and be successful.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

This journey that’s taken me from stay-at-home mother, to organizer, to business owner, to full-time student, and to graphic designer hasn’t always been easy. There’s been days where I’ve struggled but I wouldn’t change a thing. I have an incredibly supportive husband and family who picks me back up when I feel down. The true goal has always been to be the best, most successful version of myself I can be. I want to show others that if I can achieve something, so can they.

Contact Info:

• Website: excelbylaurapaine.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/excelbylaurapaine
• Facebook: facebook.com/excelbylaurapaine
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/laura-paine-4002b438
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIWVmJu-rvdWmVRFjfhCCtA
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/excelbylaurapaine/