We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lauren Mulenos. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lauren below.
Lauren, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Sometimes what you end up doing is not what you went to school for. A lot of the time in fact. I’ve always loved to write and create helpful content whether it be about a designer bag review or a travel guide. When I had my twins 2 years ago, I couldn’t find any twin books that I liked, so I decided to do it myself. It has taken longer than I liked, but I wrote, found an illustrator, researched factories, and more all while caring for my kids. It felt risky to spend time doing research when I have so many things to do that I can finish right then, but I’m so glad I took the time to self-publish a book. It’s called “It Takes Two: A Special Book for Twins.”
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.
My background is apparel merchandising – the first 10 years of my career were everything from retail to production. I love the creative energy, but thrive on processes, new ways to do things, and working smarter. I created my blog and lifestyle website LMents of Style as a creative passion on the side. Since then I’ve gone on to launch a new brand called Boy Girl Mom. I felt alone as a first time when everyone is either #boymom or #girlmom and there I was a mom to both a boy and a girl at the same time. I created BoyGirlMom.com as a place for everyone to learn and grow as parents, as well as feel supported. I also have a podcast with my husband called Boy Girl Mom and Dad. My new twin children’s book “It Takes Two: A Special Book for Twins” is under the BGM brand umbrella.
Regardless of which website of mine you frequent, I love to write helpful content and hope you learn at least one new thing or have a creative takeaway.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I was publishing my book. There was some back and forth with the final approval. The headline is that an edit was made in a section we weren’t editing and I missed it because I only proofed the area we were discussing. This resulted in having to reprint the entire run and prolong its release, but I’d rather do it right, so I sucked it up, paid the invoice, and vowed to always proof everything every time!
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
There are so many FREE ways to support creatives that take little to no effort. Tell a friend – word of mouth business is amazing. Follow them on their socials, like, comment, watch, share. All of it! If you have the funds, buy something. If you can go to an event, show up. Send an encouraging text. Tell them when they do a good job. None of that goes unnoticed. When you’re on a team by yourself, it is easy to get lonely and discouraged.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lmentsofstyle.com/ and https://www.boygirlmom.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellemulenos/ and https://www.instagram.com/boygirlmomdotcom
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LMentsofStyle/ and https://www.facebook.com/boygirlmomdotcom
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-mulenos/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/lmentsofstyle and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIlWiUYyrEmZ4yyQ_qoSKXQ
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Takes-Two-Special-Book-Twins/dp/B0CT7GZW7T/
Image Credits
Images by Emma Feir Photo