Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lauren Martin, Founder and CEO of Luminate Love, located in Charlotte, NC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Luminate Love exists to accompany women on their progressing journey of self-love. We accomplish our mission by curating products such as affirmation cards and a self-love journal to meet women exactly where they are.
Luminate Love is meant to touch any woman that may be seeking to find herself, whether she is looking to find her purpose in life, seeking her worth outside of work, or a mom trying to reconnect with who she was before the children.
Tell us about yourself
I have had a passion for uplifting women from an early age. During high school, I established Hickory Ridge High School (HRHS) Girl Up, a chapter of the Girl Up initiative. HRHS Girl Up was dedicated to teaching girls how to be advocates as well as fundraising for girls in developing countries. In addition, I created a chapter of Girl Talk, Inc in Harrisburg, NC. Through Harrisburg Girl Talk, I was able to lead a group of high school girls to serve as mentors to local middle school girls. It was during this time that I was able to develop and craft my skills in leadership, mentoring, and serving others.
Fast forward to college, and I established my own nonprofit, Wear Your Crown (WYC). WYC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that strives to create a safe space for college women to be inspired, uplifted, and loved by other strong women. We have collegiate chapters at UNC Charlotte and UNC Greensboro. Each chapter hosts discussion meetings to have relevant conversations on topics that are important to college women, as well as social events that help members to bond with one another.
My “why” that pushes me out of bed every morning is knowing that I can have a real impact on the lives of others and help them love the person they see in the mirror.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner thus far is continuing to put one foot in front of the other and not give up on my dreams, even when it would have been so easy to do so.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
For me, the hardest thing I have had to overcome is combatting my self-doubt. Whenever negative thoughts arise, I have to step out in faith and remember that I am exactly where I should be and I am just as qualified as anyone else.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don’t be your biggest critic; instead, be your loudest cheerleader.
- Just do it! Your idea/business will never be perfect so just take the leap.
- Run your own race! Do not compare your journey (or business) to others because they are not you. You have a unique purpose and skillset that the world needs, so don’t dim your light!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website:
https://luminatelove.com/
https://www.wycnow.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenluminateslove/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-martin2000/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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