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

Lauren, appreciate you joining us today. Do you take vacations? Why or why not?

My Father taught me at a young age that when I got to Corporate America (or working for myself) that every 3 months find a way to recharge. He said to take a day off or take a short trip, just something to not burn out.

Since starting my professional and entrepreneurship life, I took at least one vacation a year; but in the recent last few years after covid, I have grown more aggressive in travels. I have been blessed to travel to many countries and experience a variety of cultural lessons. I am always an advocate for individuals to take time to take a break.

But I always say as well – taking a break doesn’t mean always having to go out the country. Taking a vacation in my mind ties to anything taking you away from your day-to-day tasks. Most recently I took a pizza making class just to do something different in the city. Vacations don’t always have to be extravagant. Once covid was starting to calm a bit, I took a weekend trip to a Getaway Cabin to give myself space to think, journal and recenter myself.

I was listening to the Audible by Rachel Rodgers titled, ‘Plan Your Year Like A Millionaire’ and she touched on how entrepreneurs, as we know have to be extremely involved in their businesses that at times we don’t give space to think. It’s important to take time away to think. And it may be that you can’t afford to take a vacation just due to the cruciality of your business, but maybe start with giving yourself one hour at least a week to reflect on your business – to think on where you are doing well, where want to improve, etc. But I always try to challenge any person to take a break at least once a year so you can find space to recharge. We are not meant to only work. We are meant to live and enjoy life too.

Lauren, 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?

Lauren Hickman is the Founder & CEO of Speak Up La™ Inc. When she introduces herself, she likes to say she is “Midwest Born, West Coast Raised and Southern Made.” Born in the suburbs of Chicago, IL; up bring in Hawaii and California; then she made her way south for an unforgettable HBCU education. Lauren attended Fisk University for undergrad and attended Clark Atlanta University where she received her Master of Business Administration.

Lauren is a proud entrepreneur while also working in Corporate America. In her corporate role, she implements Supplier Diversity Programs for a major General Contractor. Each day she dedicates helping small & diverse businesses obtain opportunities for contracts in effort to ultimately bring about sustainable economic impact.

In relation to her entrepreneurship endeavors, she is the Founder and CEO of Speak Up La™ Inc. Speak Up La™ Inc is an international consulting business that fosters & grows businesses, advocates small business ownership, implements sustainable programming, designs marketing campaigns, coaches’ individuals in Corporate America while also producing media content via streaming, blog, vlog, and podcasts.

She got into business ownership almost by accident as she never really saw becoming an entrepreneur the path that she wanted to take. But when it came down to it, she wanted to have a space of her own in which she could help people through her gifts; then she knew entrepreneurship was to be in her life path.

On the service front, Speak Up La ™ has a variety of offerings, first being their interview prep services. Lauren has always had a passion to help individuals learn the art of interviewing. Her courses (and soon to come books!) are geared to help people learn to interview better so that they may get their dream job that have always wanted to have.

Next is their media content. In 2021, Speak Up La™ embarked on their first major media project called the ‘Speak Up La™ Show” that focused on showcasing & celebrating Black Excellence in real time. The show showcases various paths from – Doctors, Lawyers, Educators, Art Gallery Owners, and various impressive Entrepreneurs’ where they talk about their life but also provide advice to the younger generation. The season 1 of the show is currently available on YouTube on their channel @speakupla. Season 2 planned for this fall !

Lastly, are their consulting services, which focuses on helping launch & brand emerging business. In launching her business, she brought over a decade of experience of in Supply Chain, in which she saw firsthand how a company can be perceived by a corporation. She uses this knowledge to launch well branded and sustainable businesses for her clients.

To learn more about Speak Up La Inc, you can for details via their website: www.speakupla.com.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

For any emerging or small business, I talk with, needing capital is always a topic of discussion. In something that is true for most starting businesses – all the initial capital has come/coming out of my pocket. When I got into business ownership – I did not truly understand all the costs that it took to run a business until I will fully in. The general launching of website, business email, trademarking, etc. I funded this all through my personal savings.

Funding your dream can be costly at times but the reward is worth it, especially for me when I see my business has helped someone fulfil a goal or dream. I can also remember the time when I needed a major investment of capital to fund the launch of the Speak Up La ™ Show. I was very thankful & grateful my mother became an investor into my brand. If not for that capital, the show more than likely would not exist.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I don’t want to give out all my secrets  but truly I want my clients to feel almost like family. When I work with someone it is my goal for them to feel safe enough to share with me some of their most scary dreams and goals – with them having to do something like this, trust has to be established as well. I take time to get to know my clientele so that 1) I know how to best serve them, 2) figure out an actionable way to help them achieve their goals and dreams and last and certainly not least, 3) establish trust.

I also have invested in multiple platforms so that I can stay organized for their various needs. I want any client I work with know, when I am working on their project/task I am completely dedicated to helping them succeed. The clients I work with are EVERYTHING! I have been so blessed that so many have come to me to help them launch their business or help them to secure their dream job! I truly love the work I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.speakupla.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_speakupla/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@speakupla
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speak.up.la

Image Credits
Headshot Photo – Pose by LCG Photography and Video Costa Rica pics notes the credit in the image. All other mages were taken by me.