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

Laurie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Imagine this: I’m stuck in what feels like the longest Zoom call of my life, and my boss—the one I used to look up to so much—is throwing these little digs at me. She’s openly doubting my readiness to represent the company at a major event coming up, and as my phone lights up with texts from coworkers cringing at her words, all I want to do is slide under my desk and disappear. It was a raw moment, one of those “hit you in the gut and make you wanna puke” realizations that it was time to make a change.

Rewind six years. I threw myself into my corporate role with everything I had. I wasn’t just a creative coordinator; I was a stylist, a confidante, a travel buddy—and somehow, I worked my way up to VP of Operations. I was all in, soaking up everything I could from this powerhouse woman, learning about leadership and success, and reveling in the hustle. But at some point, things shifted.

That Zoom call was a breaking point, with me on mute, holding back tears, feeling humiliated by someone I once admired. It hurt like hell, but it was the push I needed. I realized it was time to step out and make something my own, even though it was terrifying. Despite years of lifting others up and igniting their dreams, I’d been clinging to my corporate job as a safety net, convinced I wasn’t good enough to go it alone. And the toxic environment started to wear down my confidence, leaving me swamped, undervalued, and doubting my abilities in roles I used to dominate. I had let this job define me so deeply that I’d lost sight of my own worth.

Therapy helped me peel back the layers of my professional life, uncovering the micromanagement, the empty promises, and the toxic patterns that echoed past wounds I hadn’t faced. That was my wake-up call. I decided to rewrite my story, shifting from feeling like a victim to stepping up as a victor. Personal coaching helped me make sense of it all, bringing clarity to the chaos and showing me that standing up for myself wasn’t just a choice—it was a necessity.

When the company’s values started veering away from my own, I knew it was time to put my energy into something real. I started laying the groundwork for my own venture, Boss Babe Creative, focused on motivational speaking, branding, and content creation. My goal? To empower other women to create businesses they love, to build their independence, and to reclaim their worth—just like I was doing.

With my husband and best friend firmly in my corner, cheering me on, I started building the foundation for my business a full 10 months before its official launch. Honestly, they were the ones who kept pushing me to leave, to stop putting up with the toxic environment, and to remember my own worth. And the real wake-up call? That came from a colleague who knew exactly what I was going through. She just looked at me one day and said, “Girl, you’ve got Stockholm syndrome.” And honestly, she wasn’t wrong.

By the time I finally felt ready—or maybe it was more like I was pushed—into making that leap, I already had a handful of clients lined up. Shockingly, they were enough to replace my corporate paycheck from day one! It wasn’t just luck; it was the steady, unwavering support of my mentors, friends, and family—the incredible women who believed in my vision and invested in me. Their backing didn’t just keep me going; it gave me the strength to make that critical jump into entrepreneurship. I couldn’t have done it without them.

Since launching my agency, we’ve created over 4,000 pieces of content, helped countless women build businesses they love, spoken on 10 different stages to empower women around the world, been honored with the “Most Influential People in Real Estate Staging” award, and even became an Amazon bestselling author.

Laurie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Growing up, I always felt destined to stand out, whether I was “borrowing” my mom and sister’s wardrobes or being the first to hit the dance floor at my parents’ ’80s parties. I shined brightly, yet life threw me some tough shadows. Early challenges of abuse rattled my confidence, and I struggled with feelings of unworthiness. In my teenage years, I faced new trials as a young mother navigating an abusive relationship and being held against my will for 2 years until my family rescued me, But adversity became my catalyst.

After being rescued by my family from the abusive relationship I was in, I found a fresh start in a new city and secured a job in property management and real estate. For the next 15 years, I thrived in that industry, though my titles leaned towards executive administrator roles. My true strength, however, was my creativity—whether it was problem-solving, reimagining spaces, or elevating the visual appeal of our properties.

Eventually, I transitioned into the role that truly shaped my current path: working with a coaching company for Home Stagers. I spent 7 years helping build the brand and coaching business owners on how to show up differently on social media, attract the right clients, and ultimately build a business they love. This experience was invaluable; I learned the art of branding and strategy, helping others embrace their own uniqueness in a competitive industry.

Today, I bring all of this experience together to help female business owners in the home staging and real estate industries grow impactful, authentic brands. I’ve come full circle, from overcoming personal adversity to empowering others to shine. I’m most proud of building a business that encourages other women to step into their power, leverage their creativity, and craft businesses they love.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Through this journey, I’ve come to truly understand what leadership embodies. It’s about being a unapologetically bold boss babe—a role that takes heart, resilience, and integrity. A real boss babe lifts others with love and honesty, empowering rather than diminishing. She’s a problem solver, nurturing and uplifting those around her without stepping on anyone to rise. Authentic and principled, she faces challenges with adaptability, cultivates a thriving team culture, and embodies resilience.

These are the qualities I’ve woven into Boss Babe Creative, inspired by the powerful women who’ve paved the way before me—women of class, confidence, and courage. And I’m sure these qualities are in you, even if you haven’t fully embraced them yet.

So here’s my challenge: ask a trusted friend if they see these traits in you. If you find yourself nodding, feeling a spark or that telltale lump in your throat, then this message is for you. It’s a reminder that you already have what it takes to step into your power, to transition from corporate life to boss babe status. Embrace this realization, and let it be the fuel that propels you confidently forward.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

To anyone feeling stuck or unappreciated in the corporate world but too afraid to make a change, remember this: the drive to create, to lead, and to build something meaningful is already within you. Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment—take bold steps toward your dreams. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, learn from every moment, and never let anyone make you question your worth. Every woman has her own blend of creativity, confidence, and strength; it shines brightest through the journeys we embrace, the hardships we face, and the obstacles we overcome.

I’ve been there—broken, overlooked, and told I would never amount to anything. But here I stand today, strong and thriving. I’m happily married to my incredible husband of 17 years, my son and his wife are thriving in their careers and marriage, and I’m living my passion as a boss babe, dedicated to helping other women build businesses they love. This transformation wasn’t easy, but every step was worth it.

You can do this. Build the business you love, with the support of those who believe in you. It’s your time to step into your power.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bossbabecreative.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurielgraham/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurieLGraham/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurielgraham/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BossBabeCreative

Image Credits

https://poiemaandgracecreative.com/