Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Woods.
Lauren, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey began in broadcast news. I had my eyes set on becoming a reporter and then eventually an anchor in a top market. Upon graduating, I quickly realized how challenging it was to get my foot into the door. Roughly a year after applying, I came across a Facebook post from an old high school classmate. He was pictured inside a control room, and I was determined to figure out how he got that job! Come to find out, it was not a job at all, but an internship! He told me about WVUA. It’s a mostly student-run news station that is owned by the University of Alabama. The program allows students to gain real-experience before even graduating. I knew this was what I had been waiting for. At first, I applied for small part-time roles, but then eventually, I just applied to volunteer/intern. I wanted it so badly that I was willing to work for free to get the experience I needed. After applying for the internship, I got a call back for an interview. I was beyond excited! I thought I was finally headed in the right direction. In my opinion, the interview went great! The hiring manager gave me a timeframe of when I would hear back. However, that time had come and passed… nothing but crickets!
I was devastated. I remember thinking, “They don’t even want me to work for free!” My mom tried to console me and suggested to send a follow-up email. I was adamant against it. I thought it was pointless. However, I did it anyway to appease my mother. To my surprise, I received a response that I did not expect. The hiring manager apologized and said that I was supposed to be on the acceptance email list, and it was a mistake that I did not receive an email earlier. (Thanks, Mom!) The rest is pretty much history! I started a few weeks later. I eventually got on payroll. I learned a little bit of everything, including producing. I ended up becoming a news producer instead of a reporter. Once my contract ended there, I got a producer job in Arkansas. I stayed there for two years and then came back to Alabama.
I worked as a producer for about 2 1/2 years, and then I realized that news was no longer for me. I quit my job. I went to a temp agency and was placed at a law firm. It was completely different from what I was accustomed to. I tried to make it work for a year and a half, but there was no denying that I was unhappy. While still working as a legal assistant, I began the job search again in late 2019. Earlier that year, I had met a former news anchor/reporter at a charity golf tournament. He had also left the news industry for a career in public relations. He gave me his card and told me to keep in touch. When I began my job search, I reached out to him for advice. He suggested that I reach out to local PR firms and gave me a shortlist of firms to contact. BGrace Media was on that list. First, I researched the company. I checked out their social media to get a feel for the atmosphere. I also checked their website for job openings but did not see anything, but I decided to reach out anyway.
I found Chasiti, the president, on LinkedIn and sent her a private message in early December. I told her that I was a former news producer looking to get back in the communications field. I asked if she had any openings and that even if she didn’t, I would still love to gain insight from her. She responded with a few follow-up questions about my experience. Then she suggested that we chat over coffee. Little did I know that the coffee chat was an interview! A few days later, she made me an offer, and I accepted! My first day was in January.
I had no idea at the time, but I reached out to Chasiti when she was looking to make personnel changes and just an overhaul of the company. She took notice of my hard work and dedication. Before I knew it, I was promoted to Vice President of Operations. I was completely shocked, and thinking back on it, it is crazy how it all worked out. I know that God played an integral role in making this happen! It was all Him, and I am so thankful for it all!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely NOT! Being in the news industry was one of the most stressful times of my life. Reflecting on it now, I remember being underappreciated, undervalued, and overworked. While in Arkansas, my newscast was nominated for an EMMY; the ratings rose on my show in two key demographics. My immediate supervisor and peers congratulated me, but there was not so much as a word from upper management.
Back in Alabama, my experience was not any better; actually, it was worse, and working overnight did not help the situation. I had also worked overnights in Arkansas, and by this time, I was tired and wanted a normal shift. I remember going to management and asking to be moved. I was told to be patient and that a change was coming. I later found out that the change did not involve me. Another producer with lesser experience was promoted over me. I was over it. I could not do it anymore. There were a lot of other issues happening behind the scenes as well that I no longer wanted to subject myself to. Plus, the stress was affecting my health. My hair had started coming out. I later learned that I had developed a Vitamin D deficiency, and I gained a lot of weight.
Life is short, and none of what I was going through was worth me going through it. However, I would not change my journey. I have been yelled at, belittled, and insulted on several occasions. Even with those horrible memories, I know that I could not be a VP had I not endured it all. God carefully crafted my career to prepare me for now. Plus, I met some of the most incredible people anyone could ever meet. Some of my fondest memories outside of work are a result of working in the news. God placed an awesome group of friends in my life, and I am truly blessed to have experienced life with them.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the BGrace Media Story. Tell us more about your work.
BGrace Media is a transcultural public relations and marketing agency. We are creative individuals that connect brands with Millennials, Baby Boomers, Generations X, and Y. We get people talking!
I am most proud of our company because we are truly leveling up! 2020 has been a good year for BGM! We have been able to secure more clients and solidify the BGM brand. It has been a rollercoaster ride for sure, but I am so happy that I was able to hop on the ride! What sets us apart is that we understand that clients entrust us with their livelihood. You cannot just “check the box.” We give due diligence to each client in making sure that their brand is given the proper attention it needs to grow and be successful.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plan is to keep getting better! When you have an awesome team that works hard and genuinely wants to win, the sky is the limit! I am looking forward to when COVID-19 is over, and we plan events again! Big changes?? Hmm… stay tuned and find out. 
Contact Info:
- Address: 2107 5th Avenue North
Suite 200 Birmingham, AL 35203 - Website: http://bgrace.media/
- Phone: (205) 537-1100
- Email: info@bgracemedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bgracemediallc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BGracemedia
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BGraceMedia
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bgrace-media-llc/
Image Credit:
D Jerome Smedley Photography
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