Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Myers.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lauren. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started blogging over 10 years ago as an additional form of marketing for my freelance Graphic Design company. I used my first blog as a way to share the new projects that I was working on and to share behind the scenes sneak peeks of my process. After a few years of freelancing, I shifted my business model from service based to product based and began selling wedding invitations, greeting cards, and various paper products under the name Color Hug. It was then that I started using the email marketing platform, MailChimp, to keep my customers updated on new products that were being released. This was the turning point in my business journey where I discovered automation.
After learning more about automation and teaching myself how to use it to make blogging and business tasks run smoothly, I began blogging about it and other productivity strategies. I re-branded in January 2018 to Lauren Myers & Co. and now teach bloggers and solopreneurs that also work a 9-5 how to maximize their time so their blogs and businesses don’t get put on the back burner any longer.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road to where I am now has been… interesting! I am still on my blog/biz journey, but so far along the way, my biggest challenge was deciding to go through with my last re-brand. When I started Color Hug, I envisioned a paper goods company selling custom items and template designs. When I shifted my focus to being education based, the name Color Hug no longer felt right. I loved the name and was trying to hold onto it and MAKE it fit into the mold, but it just wasn’t working. Changing my name to Lauren Myers & Co. was scary because I didn’t know how it would be received by my audience. After taking the plunge, I soon found out it was one of the best things that I did for my company! After the re-brand, I began receiving more opportunities for collaboration, features, interviews, and partnerships. I realized that my name makes a better connection with my audience because it’s me!
For the young women starting their journey, I recommend finding a friend that is on a similar journey as you so you can talk to each other about obstacles, celebrate each other’s wins and just keep each other accountable. Yes, family can be great for this, but it’s better when you have someone who understands your journey personally because they are going through it as well. I also encourage you to be yourself. This is how you will make a better connection with your audience. When you try to be someone or something that you really aren’t, people can sniff that out. Social media shows the false side of life – people are tired of this and want to see real life again. This is why you should embrace who you are; your true audience will follow!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a task automation expert teaching women who blog and also work a 9-5 how to organize their time, automate boring tasks and keep their productivity level on 100. I sell digital done-for-you products and offer one-on-one services on my website as well as fun goods that bloggers can totally relate to (coffee mugs, notepads, etc.).
The thing that I am most proud of for my brand is that it is relatable; I get my audience. I understand the struggles that they go through since I also work a 9-5 and run a blog/biz on the side. I am in the thick with them, so when I learn a new strategy I am sharing it with them as well. Some bloggers do not truly understand how it is to have a family, a 9-5, and a blog/biz because they run their businesses full-time. They also may have a team that helps them. When you don’t have a team, you wear all the hats and have to figure out how to make it all work. I am most happy when I help my audience overcome a challenge after they have read one of my blog posts, emails or implemented one of my products into their process.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
My favorite apps that help to keep my blog and business running smoothly are Trello, Evernote, IFTTT, Zapier, Google Docs, Google Sheets, UNUM, Acuity Scheduling and Canva. I use some of these apps in my personal life as well. I use Trello for anything that needs to be planned out from birthday parties to vacations to Christmas activities!
I’ve recently started listening to The Sunday Jumpstart podcast, Nicole Walters podcast and Techish podcast for business.
I am currently reading and loving Michelle Obama’s book, “Becoming.”
Pricing:
- Blogging & Business Automation Setup Service – $97
- Blogging Schedule & Editorial Calendar Template – $25
- The Ultimate Blogging Workflow – $25
- Coffee Mugs – $15
- Notepads – $12
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LaurenMyersCo.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurenmyersco
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/laurenmyersco
Image Credit:
Kita Allen, Katrina Sullivan, Lauren Myers
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
