We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauren Stanton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?

At the time that I opened my shop, I knew I had so much inside of me that I was not sharing in the way my career trajectory was going. I had creativity bursting at the seams and no real outlet for it at the time… so I built it! When I opened my studio and started creating again, I felt even more alive. As a new mom at the time, it gave me an additional sense of self and connection to who I once was. Connecting with my customers was part of my reason because – through my work – I am helping them make a moment memorable for their loved ones or their business (which is also a loved one). When I realized that utilizing my solutions-oriented mentality through my craft, it was the amazing beginning to building a community for my little family. Customers and local organizations have become friends and such important parts of my life. Being a mother has always been my lifelong dream and being able to adjust my career to be my daughter’s full-time mama while making time to connect with fellow mom-trepreneurs through business has been the reason for it all.

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.

The concept of ceLEBrations by stanton was built on the foundation of making moments memorable. Through the art of personalization, I blend my fine art education with my 15 years of media experience to bring clients’ ideas to life – for events, gifting & merch! From special occasions to design classes to propelling a brand, I have found that the feeling that is evoked from a product or design can often be even more meaningful than the product or design itself.

Putting my graphic design background to use you can find me creating custom products in all kinds of mediums (wood, acrylic, paint, paper, canvas, apparel, resin & more) and teaching design classes to children and adults around Long Island.

And now, I love that I am able to apply my polished corporate marketing experience to expand the BRANDING BY STANTON collection to include media relation opportunities for select clients.

At ceLEBrations by stanton, there is always a reason to ceLEBrate!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Slow and steady is the name of the social media game for me. I truly enjoy creating content. Social media has been a place to showcase my creativity (aka all the thoughts running around in my head) in ways that my business cannot always do. Because the nature of my craft is accomplished alone in my studio, social media has been incredible for showcasing my personality through storytelling. I share what is upcoming.
Repetition and consistency have been key for me across all my platforms. I love that I offer such custom options and a variety of products. It always give me ideas for capturing unique and fun content.
While I may not have the largest following nor grow as quickly as… hmm… I think I should, I am consistent and do what feels right. When I have an idea to collaborate, I reach out. When I see a trend I like, I hop on it. When I want to be silly, I am. When I want to connect with my audience, I do! It has been beautiful to use social media to be just that… social and engaging!

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Creating has always been the lifeblood running through my veins. Even when I have not been in a truly creative space, I find ways to apply abstract ways of thinking to a project or doing a little extra with my art to give that project my special touch. It doesn’t always make sense to other people; especially when building a business. Making a moment memorable for a client through my design and products brings me fulfillment and satisfaction. So, making that client feel special because they worked with me, is one of my missions. It is not all about the dollar nor about the time. People often ask me “you do that by hand?”; And the answer is yes! Of course I use computers and tools/machines for parts of my creative process but so much of it utilizes my creative critical thinking and crafting hands. It is the part I love; A kind of therapy for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://celebrationsbystanton.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celebrationsbystanton/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ceLEBrationsByStanton
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenlebowitzstanton/

Image Credits
all photos are self-taken except for shot holding pink cup. That shot is by Mary Kate Gilroy (@cakes8 on instagram)