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

Laura, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How has Covid changed your business model?

Pre-Covid I was focused on my physical moving pop-up shop. I was looking to sell at local breweries, distilleries, coffee shops and other high traffic venues. When everything shut down, I was home and if I wasn’t physically selling to the public, then I wasn’t making money. Post Covid shut down, my focus is on adding different revenue streams to my business. One of my biggest endeavors is to grow my online business. I have learned to have multiple income opportunities for my business. We have all learned that things can change at any time & it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected.

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?

I am a former social worker and have wanted to own my own business for as long as I can remember. I wanted to do something that I love and I love handmade goods. I love shopping and supporting local. I am a curator & that means I set out in search of makers who make the products I am looking to sell to my customers.
I sell everything from soy candles, animal tote bags, leather goods, custom cutting & charcuterie boards. I am a moving brick and mortar specializing only in handmade goods. Most of my product line is Texas-based.
In the pop-up world here in Austin, I am one of the only curators that I know of selling alongside actual makers.
What are my most proud of? I am happy to have survived the last few years! I am lucky to live in an area that loves shopping local & supporting woman owned businesses. I’m also lucky to have the support of other local businesses having pop ups like mine on their premises. I have so many locations to sell out of!

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I highly recommend joining a business group to learn from other business owners. I have learned so much from other small business owners and I’m lucky to be able to reach out to them whenever I need help or have questions with my business. I have learned how to manage my time more effectively when working from home. I have learned how to prioritize what tasks need to get done versus what I want to get done. I have also learned what tasks I need to delegate to others and what tasks I can and should do on my own.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I worked two part-time jobs in clothing boutiques and used that money to start my business. I recently started a new part-time job to help supplement my cash flow & pay for my monthly operating expenses which have gone up due to inflation. I’m hustling!

Contact Info:

• Website: linktr.ee/LaudreyRose
• Instagram: laudrey_rose_
• Facebook: Laudrey Rose
• Linkedin: Laura Ward
• Twitter: escazu94ward
• Other: TikTok: laudrey_rose