Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Davis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Lauren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I’ve always had this little fire inside me that whispers, almost inaudibly, “Leap Lauren…” It’s so quiet that it’s easy to miss. It’s shown up at some of the most instrumental crossroads of my life.

Opportunity to open a record and gift store when I was 19? Leap.

Opportunity to connect local business owners to collaborate through a non-for-profit? Leap.

Opportunity to host conferences and bring in speakers from all over the country? Leap.

Opportunity to help speakers and entrepreneurs develop their personal brands? Leap.

Get a divorce, exit a toxic situation, leave everything behind, change your life? Leap.

Enjoy your life, travel the country, work 100% remotely? Speak internationally? LEAP.

I think the misconception is that when someone comes to crossroads like these, they know the clear answer. The answer was never clear to me. The answer was just that whisper telling me to take the chance on myself. I did. And there are plenty of things that didn’t work out, but taking a risk and leaning into to opportunities even when they were hard, showed me that there is never one right answer, but instead, so many right answers.

The biggest thing that taking a risk taught me was that I have the ability to say “yes” or “no” to what is right for me.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Lauren V. Davis and I am the founder of Lauren Davis Creative, a consultancy that helps speakers and entrepreneurs establish memorable personal brands resulting in magnetic engagement, aligned clients and life-long relationships. Through this business I host masterminds for entrepreneurs, co-host an accelerator/retreat for women, and work 1:1 with clients all over the world.

I feel privileged to have acquired so many skills through a variety of life experiences, one of them building a successful brick-and-mortar record store for 15+ years. It taught me how to see through manipulative “one-hit-wonder” marketing tactics to build a personal brand that drives meaningful relationships and profits. Today, I offer that same entrepreneurial support (and of course, great music recommendations) for experts internationally.

In my 20’s I helped to found and lead a non-for-profit dedicated to helping local businesses collaborate and make more money. It was in this experience I found my drive come from seeing entrepreneurs be able to tell their stories and communicate effectively. Good communication can impact everything, sales, profits, relationships, and how we view life.

I am grateful to be a featured marketing expert in Reader’s Digest, Huffington Post, and on global top-rated podcasts. I also host The Real Personal Branding Podcast, a bi-weekly podcast where I uncover the secrets of personal brand building from some of the top thought-leaders, speakers, authors, and coaches worldwide.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Two things: The first thing is to have a beginner mindset when it comes to learning and developing your skills. I am always looking for opportunities to learn new information and improve the work I do for people.

Once I heard a speaker ask, if you got your favorite celebrity client tomorrow, how would you treat them differently than how you are treating your clients today?

Truly as I thought about it, I realized, I wouldn’t treat them much differently, and that is because I give 120% to my clients always. But I took that concept with me and used it as an audit from time to time. How am I continuing to show up for my clients and treat them like they are the coolest clients on earth? How am I delivering that level of customer service?

Turns out, if you treat your clients well, and you consistently learn and develop your skills, your clients are far more likely to refer you and share you with their favorite people.

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

There were times in my life and business when I leaned on others to tell me what I was good at, to tell me what the next logical choice was, or to tell me what was “worth it” for my business. I leaned on them to tell me what I was even allowed to dream of in the future. Leaning there, hurt me. After I was out of that situation, I found it hard to even know what I wanted without their filter.

If you feel like you are in a position like this within home, family, partner, or business partner dynamics, here is what I would recommend.

– Get really good at hearing yourself on the inside. Sometimes it’s quiet, but listen to it.
– Know that a good coach, consultant, friend, or family member will always try to help guide you to what YOU know is best for you, not what THEY think is best for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laurendaviscreative.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ldaviscreative
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ldaviscreative