Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Kelly Scott. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Lauren, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
When you live in an environment that does not include seeing people in entrepreneurship businesses, it is hard to change the mindset. I knew that being in the school setting was just a steppingstone to my purpose and could never see me being in the school setting for 20 plus years waiting to retire. As I started doing research on what it took to build a business and also doing it afraid, I quit my job in 2021 and never looked back. It has been the best transition in the world but also challenging at times. Becoming an entrepreneur as an educational consultant involves taking a significant risk, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Starting a business requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and commitment. As an entrepreneur, you have to be willing to take on challenges and overcome obstacles, such as finding investing in yourself, managing finances, and building a customer base for you to continue on the vision that is desired. You have to be passionate about your business idea and be willing to put in long hours and make sacrifices to make it a success. There is no guarantee of success, but the rewards can be great, such as being your own boss, having creative control, and potentially making a lot of money. I say this to people, don’t look for the money to come first. If you are willing to do it for free to get where you need to go, then you are able to be an entrepreneur.
Transitioning from being an educator in the classroom to becoming an entrepreneur can be a difficult process. As an educator, you may be used to following a set schedule and working with a predictable curriculum, which is ALWAYS subject to change every day you walk in the classroom. As an entrepreneur, you have to be able to adapt to changing circumstances and make decisions on the fly by any means necessary. You have to be comfortable with uncertainty and take calculated risks. For instance, I blew $12,000 dollars in 6 months because I thought I needed certain thing to make me look like I was doing something when I was merely wasting time, money, and paying “experts” to get me to where I was going. I do not regret it because it was a teachable moment for me, the educator. Additionally, you may need to learn new skills, such as marketing, sales, and business management, which can be a steep learning curve. However, the skills and experience gained as an educator, such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, can be incredibly valuable in the world of entrepreneurship. Ultimately, the transition can be challenging, but it can also be a rewarding and fulfilling journey. Although I am in new territory, the knowledge that I received in the educational world has equipped me to do certain things as a entrepreneur.
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
I am Lauren “LK” Scott who is a WHOLE lot! My title is the executive director for a mentorship program called FLY Girlz Academy Inc. for young girls ages 7 to 18 years ole where we unleash the fearless leader you are meant to be. In the beginning of 2021, I knew that I wanted to start a girl’s program outside of the classroom setting but had the excuse of not having the time to work on it. During the summer, my 2 close friends and I started discussing a summer session with 12 young ladies that pertained to health, wellness, and starting a business. When I say those girls touched my heart in a way that I knew that this is where I need to be, it did. After our award ceremony, one of our parents asked if this program would continue, and I hesitated. My friend looked at me and said, “you know this what you want to do, so you might as well say yes.” It was in that moment that Faith over fear came in my life, and I gave them a yes. Through our program at FLY Girlz Academy, we aim to foster a safe and inclusive environment where our mentees can build confidence, develop leadership skills, and create meaningful connections. We understand the unique challenges that young black and brown girls face, and we are committed to providing them with the resources and tools they need to overcome these obstacles. We believe that every girl deserves a chance to reach her dreams and become a powerful force for change in her community. Our mentoring program is dedicated to helping young black and brown girls thrive and become the best versions of themselves. Join us today and be a part of our community of strong, confident, and empowered young women.
What sets our organization apart from other girls mentoring groups is that we expose our girls to become well-rounded and try new things that can expand their minds to making a difference in the world as career and entrepreneurship. FLY Girlz Academy is a unique youth organization for black and brown girls in Fort Worth, Texas, that sets itself apart from other mentorship programs through its holistic approach to mentorship. In addition to providing traditional mentoring services, FLY Girlz Academy also offers enrichment activities such as social emotional learning skills, family engagement activities, and entrepreneurship workshops to help girls build self-confidence and develop leadership skills. Furthermore, FLY Girlz Academy has a strong focus on community service and encourages girls to use their talents and skills to give back to their community, fostering a sense of purpose and responsibility. Through these comprehensive programs, FLY Girlz Academy empowers girls to achieve their full potential and become strong, independent, and socially responsible leaders.
What I am most proud of is the growth that the organization is making. From the parent support, family being very supportive of our vision, and board members stepping up to the plate to make changes, I could not ask for another group or life that I live. As the executive director of this program, I believe that serving and impacting God’s people with love, purpose, and passion will allow this organization to thrive and leave a legacy for the next generation to come. When our girls walk into rooms, they are confident in who they are and can use their voices in a way of our core values: respect, growth, purpose, and royalty. Although there are many girl youth groups here in Fort Worth that I love so much, I believe that each girl that is connected to our organization will be impacted by the community and leaders of this program.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Where do I start! Okay well I have always been an overthinker, perfectionist, and thought that nobody can do anything like I can. This stems from seeing my mom doing things on her own and having a family that upholds high standards in the community. I had to unlearn those strongholds because they were rooted in trauma experiences that led to decisions in my life in a way that was hidden from the world. I had to recognize why those 3 components by going to a therapist, which helped me release those things one by one. Not saying at times those strongholds do not creep in at times, but I am learning how to deal with them to let these triggering roles take notice that I have come a long way to go back to the safe zones that keep me from losing sight of what really matters. Instead of overthinking, I try daily to live in the moment by taking my life day by day and giving myself grace. As a perfectionist, the method to the madness is to still think big but let the visions and creativity of my life be what it is and know that people will not look at what you’re looking at. I’m not here for perfection but progression. I’m not cocky but I’m confident that when I have a vision and it comes to life, it will be awesome. Now, I’m even better now that I have people helping me with certain things or task in my life. I had to realize that no one is going to do what I do, and I have to give them a chance to help me in the capacity they know how to. Not saying that I don’t have expectations of them, but I do expect them to deliver and execute in a way that show who I am and what my organization stands for.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Resilience is an essential trait for any entrepreneur, as it allows them to push through challenges and setbacks in their business journey. Resilient entrepreneurs are those who have the mental toughness to persevere in the face of adversity and are not easily discouraged by failures. They have a strong sense of determination and are willing to put in the hard work and effort needed to achieve their goals. Resilience is a critical trait for minority women in business, who often face unique challenges and obstacles in their entrepreneurial journey. As a minority woman in business, resilience looks like being able to overcome the systemic barriers and biases that can make it difficult for them to succeed in a male-dominated industry. They have a strong sense of self-awareness and confidence, which allows them to stay focused on their goals and vision, even in the face of discrimination and inequality.
Resilient minority women entrepreneurs are also able to leverage their diverse perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and creativity in their business. They are able to adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs, while staying true to their values and identity. They are not afraid to take risks and are willing to step outside of their comfort zone to achieve their goals. Overall, resilient minority women in business are a powerful force for change, who are breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations of diverse entrepreneurs.
n practice, resilience looks like an entrepreneur who is able to bounce back from failures, learn from their mistakes, and adapt their strategies to overcome obstacles. They are able to maintain a positive attitude and stay motivated, even in the face of adversity. They are also able to remain focused on their long-term vision while being flexible enough to make adjustments as needed. Overall, resilient entrepreneurs are able to weather the ups and downs of business ownership, and emerge stronger and more successful in the end.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tsfwcoaching.com/fly-girlz-academy
- Instagram: flygirlzacademy
- Facebook: FLY Girlz Academy Inc.
- Linkedin: Lauren Kelly Scott