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

Laura , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Since we last spoke we’ve officially launched our digital tickets! It’s been an exciting journey turning our initial idea into a reality. We soft-launched this holiday season with two charities, but our next goal is to expand our catalog based on category. Every step to get here has been a lesson in perseverance and flexibility.

It all started with an idea, pen and paper. Coming from the design and paper product world, transitioning to digital was a whole new experience. However, we built out a roadmap and customer journeys to make the process smoother.

One thing that became extremely clear early on was the need to iterate, iterate, iterate! I learned not to be precious about the designs or ideas because they were likely to change. There were many moments when I felt like this idea wouldn’t work, but the LottoLove team embraced the challenge of finding workarounds and pushing forward.

Keeping things simple while working on building a seamless user experience was challenging, but critical. Fancy features could wait for later versions. What mattered most was making sure our audience would understand the process and find it easy to navigate through the site.

Recognizing my limitations was pivotal. I knew where I needed support from experts, and leaning into friends and family helped me find the right people to carry this vision through. This collaborative effort has been instrumental in bringing our digital tickets to life.

Looking back over this process, it’s almost hard to believe this is just the beginning!

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.

(link out to previous interview for founder story)

With the launch of our new digital tickets, we are now offering a zero-waste gifting option that can be sent to anyone in the world. 100% of your gift goes directly to the charity.

We know that our friends, family, clients and colleagues are spread out around the world, and with that distance, nurturing those relationships can be difficult. Our digital scratch-off tickets are a simple, yet meaningful, way to reconnect with those people again and to bond over shared values without the expense, shipping costs, and headache factor of finding and sending gifts.

This commitment to sustainability extends beyond my personal lifestyle choices; it’s woven into the very fabric of LottoLove. Recognizing the wastefulness of the gifting industry, where billions of dollars in unused gift cards and mountains of wrapping paper contribute to landfill waste, I wanted to change that. By offering an everyday eco-friendly alternative that gives back, our impact goes well beyond keeping gifts out of landfills.

By reinventing the traditional scratch-off ticket as a vehicle for social good, we’re not only reducing waste but also redirecting resources towards meaningful causes. Every purchase supports one of our eight charity partners, turning every recipient into a champion of change while minimizing environmental impact.

As we continue to build out our digital catalog and support more causes, we’re excited to add even more opportunities for personalization and customization, empowering our customers to support causes they’re passionate about through everyday and corporate gifting.

I’m incredibly proud of the impact LottoLove has had so far, from providing access to clean water and education to empowering women and supporting sustainable development projects. But our journey is far from over. I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that when they choose LottoLove, they’re not just buying a gift; they’re joining a movement to create a more sustainable, compassionate world and it all starts with a simple way to show someone in your life you’re thinking of them.

We are committed to transparency, authenticity, and community engagement. We’re not just providing a fun way to give; we’re building a movement for positive change while inspiring more meaningful connections.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

Back when LottoLove was just an idea I had, I was deep into building my branding company. I remember Googling Dabny, my neighbor with the beautifully colorful, vibrant office at the WeWork space I practically lived out of. She was incredibly knowledgeable about all things paper products and I wanted to ask her for some insight. I had an idea but didn’t know where to go next.

It was Dabny who told me about the National Stationery Show, an annual event at the Javits Center in NYC, where brands, buyers, and manufacturers converge to showcase their latest products, make connections, and hope to land as many wholesale accounts as possible. Dabney suggested I register to “walk” the show, treating it as valuable research into the industry.

But it was a conversation with my boyfriend (now husband!) at the time that really got things going. He said, “You should sign up and have a booth.” Despite knowing that exhibitors typically plan and build out their booths a year in advance, I decided to dive in headfirst, with just a matter of weeks to prepare.

There was some strong impostor syndrome going on as I looked around at the elaborate setups from other seasoned exhibitors. But there I was, armed with my prototype of LottoLove scratch tickets and determination.

For almost four days, I stood on my feet, engaging in conversations and making connections with people from all corners of the industry. Despite the nerves and uncertainties, the response to LottoLove was overwhelming. Press, buyers, and store owners stopped by my booth, captivated by the concept and eager to learn more.

The enthusiasm that poured in from that event, along with their feedback, fueled my confidence and showed me there was a need for LottoLove. A few months later we officially launched and the excitement around the product has been nothing short of incredible.

It’s moments like these that remind me of the power of taking risks and believing in your vision, even when imposter syndrome rears its ugly head. Looking back, I still find it hard to believe I pulled it off. But the smiles on people’s faces when they grasp the concept for the first time, the customer reviews sharing a glimpse into the moment they gifted LottoLove, and the work of our incredible charity partners make every challenging time worth it.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

There are a few ways I’ve built my reputation. I firmly believe in treating every interaction as a personal connection rather than just another business transaction. Whether it’s an email, a direct message, or a phone call, recognizing that there’s a human being on the other end fosters genuine relationships and trust.

By sharing my story and background transparently, I’ve been able to present myself as more than just a faceless brand. This authenticity resonates with people on a deeper level and establishes a sense of trust and reliability.

Another crucial aspect has been my approach to partnership and collaboration, particularly in selecting the right charity partners. By aligning with organizations that share my values and mission, I’ve been able to demonstrate a commitment to making a positive impact beyond just business success.

But perhaps the most fundamental element has been leading with love and kindness in everything I do. Whether it’s interacting with customers, colleagues, or partners, prioritizing empathy and compassion has helped me build genuine connections and an incredible community.

Ultimately, it’s about building relatability and forging meaningful connections that go beyond mere transactions. This focus on human connection and values-driven business practices has played a significant role in shaping my reputation within the market, and it’s something I continue to prioritize as I move forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: givelottolove.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/lottolove
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-beck-lottolove/

Image Credits
chelsey starley photography, NBC New York Live