We're putting 5 hardworking women in the #hotseat for Mother's Day to find out what inspires them, how they share their passions with their children, and how they've found success in business. Join us in celebrating their awesomeness #edgeworkstyle.
Meet Lauren
Lauren is the force behind Whole Living Lauren. She helps people feel their best and has a passion for promoting health using whole, nutritious foods, and a balanced lifestyle. Learn more about her!
What is something you are excited about right now?
Right now, I am really excited about the changing season and the weather getting warmer! There is nothing better than walking around our neighborhood (German Village) in spring and summer when everything is in bloom. My family and I really thrive being outside and love taking advantage of daily walks to the park…and of course, patio dining. We also have some travel coming up this summer and fall that I am excited to start planning for!
What inspired you to start your business?
My passion for food, health, and photography inspired my business! There were a lot of factors that led to taking the leap to officially start my own full-time business a little over a year ago. It was something I had been thinking about for the past several years or so but never really felt “ready”. Once I had my son, Rhys, I was craving more flexibility and creative freedom.
I officially started my business when Rhys was just 3.5 months old! It was a total whirlwind, completely overwhelming at times, and a little scary. But, I am a firm believer that you can’t reap big rewards if you don’t put yourself out there and take a risk. It has turned out to be the absolute best career decision for me. I love being able to continue my love for counseling clients to focus on positive behavior change while also working with brands and companies whose philosophies share a similar health alignment to mine.
I also love that I can focus on and devote more time to learning more about food photography. Having said that, I am thankful for having had so many years of “traditional” work experience under my belt. It exposed me to a wide array of health conditions, allowed me to build my counseling skills, and gave me tools to learn how to build nutrition programming. These experiences have been immensely valuable while starting my own business!
Looking back, what stands out to you when thinking about the choices or circumstances that have attributed to your success?
For me, taking the initial “leap” to just start was one of the biggest choices that have attributed to my success. If I would have waited until I felt 100% ready, I would have never started my business! Instead of putting pressure on myself to have it all figured out at the beginning, I had a rough idea of what I wanted to do and how to do it, but knew there would be a lot of learning and changes along the way.
Being open and fluid with ideas and decisions in the beginning allowed me to grow and mold my business in a way that made sense for both myself and the clients I work with. I am also incredibly fortunate to have a family who is totally supportive and encouraging. My parents help me a lot with my son and are my biggest cheerleaders. And my husband is the yin to my yang! He helps me a lot with the organizational side of running a business which I am incredibly thankful for…because admittedly, that’s not my strength.
Having a support team is crucial for me. It takes a village!
How are your kids involved in your business?
My son Rhys (who turns 2 in September) has started to become very interested in what I am doing in the kitchen when I am creating recipes. He takes great pride in helping me stir things and likes to “help” get everything out of the pantry that I need….and then some ;)
One of my biggest factors in deciding to start my own business was to have the flexibility to arrange my schedule so that I could be home with Rhys but also work and create. He is the foundation of why I do what I do. I hope as he grows up that he is inspired to work hard and create in whatever ways excite him.
Tell us about your home. What kind of space do you cultivate for yourself and your family?
Our home is a mix of original charm (it was built in 1890!) and modern amenities and décor. I am inspired by lots of natural light, clean lines, and neutral tones with subtle pops of color. I also have a thing for house plants. They add so much life to our indoor space and help bring me peace and calm.
I am inspired by many different styles and our home reflects that. My husband and I love to travel, so many things that we have displayed in our home are from places we have visited. We value experiences and love surrounding ourselves with things that evoke positive memories.
Become a Client + Get 10% Off
Lauren is offering all of our readers 10% OFF her 5-Pack of one-on-one nutrition sessions. Just click 'Become a Client' on her website and leave her a note with the code: Mothers Day 10. Also, take a look at some amazing recipes on her blog! Yum.
Make sure you check out all of the special deals being offered by the women highlighted for this special Mother's Day #HotSeat feature! Read each of their #HotSeat articles to collect all of the discounts and deals!
Save $25 on the Mast Stool
Lauren selected our counter height Mast Stool with a black base and White Oak top to serve as her #hotseat for this feature. Take $25 off the price of any Mast Stool in our collection with the code: HOTSEAT.
