We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauralee Schmidt a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lauralee, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Self esteem is an interesting thing. I’m one who used to feel powerful and strong in one scenario, and then the next moment feel very out of place. However, over the years I’ve learned that I do have a voice to be heard, and I do belong where I am. That strength has come from a variety of sources, but I do firmly believe it is inherent in your DNA, and I believe it takes years to grow into your full potential of that DNA.
My parents are the primary source of my confidence. They were, and still are, the most supportive units in my life. I was told from a small child that I could be anything, or do anything, and they’d love me thru everything I needed or wanted to do with my life. 43 years later, they’ve stood by every crazy idea I’ve had, every move I’ve made, and cheered me on as I’ve done it. I was luckily to have a support system like I had growing up. It embedded confidence into me from a young age. They involved me into church, rooted me in faith, but also gave me the lead to let me find my way. I believe that was important to my future self. They never said no to what I wanted to be a part of. They just supported and cheered me on.
I was a theatre and music kid. Outgoing, loud, impulsive, involved. And this is part of why I think confidence is coded in the DNA. My brother was raised by those same parents and had none of the confidence I did. It took him years to get there, but he got there eventually. And that was beautiful to watch. But I came out with dreamS of grandeur and loving life out loud. A lot of it was misplaced and labeled “she’s loud and bossy” as a teen and young adult. But I was overflowing with confidence and wasn’t sure where to put it. I eventually fell into artistry, and then being a business owner with my husband. He rounded off my confidence because he’s seen me weak more than anyone, and he has this ability to make me strong again. He just knows how to keep confidence instilled in me.
Confidence comes from deep within, but if the environment you’re in doesn’t allow it to grow and strengthen, it will evade you. And I truly believe once you lose things like confidence, joy, faith, it’s extremely hard to get it back.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I jokingly refer to myself as the Ruler of the Auto Gods & the Perfector of the Pretty. My name is Lauralee Schmidt, and I am blessed to own an automotive shop with my husband, plus own a makeup studio and greenhouse start up on the side. Years of being in the cosmetics realm as a pro artist,and also an executive, oddly translated well into my new life as an auto care owner.
I take pride in our family owned auto shop. It is my greatest pleasure to work alongside my husband to help keep families safe on the road. I love the relationships we’ve been able to establish in our community whether it be business to business relations, or just getting that oil change in before one of our families hits the road for vacation. Auto care is never where I dreamed my career would go, but I can’t really imagine being anywhere else.
My first passion, and longest career choice is makeup. I live, eat and breathe all things beauty. There is nothing more magical than taking someone who doesn’t feel great about themselves and creating a look that makes them shine. From movies, to backstage fashion week, to private sessions, I’ve been inside the makeup industry for over 20 years and it molded me for my next steps in auto care. It taught me attention to detail, which has benefitted me greatly for my auto path.
My last passion, and most recent adventure, is that of The Greenhouse Girls Project. It took a major spine surgery to slow me down, let me see that life was more than work work work, and that I needed to find something that made me feel alive and well. Gardening did that. And as I was off for 4 months healing, I built a business I could move forward with inside the plant world. I incorporated a friend into the adventure, and this spring, my brainchild popped up in the area and we had an outstanding first season. We sold out of all our starter plants, and started building those relationships for the future.
You can have more than 1 passion. And you can do them all really well if you prioritize right.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Along this life, I’ve lived and learned a lot. The 3 skills that have benefitted me both are as follows
1. The inability to hear the word No. I simply don’t allow it if it’s something I’m working toward. If someone tells me no, that’s fine. Someone else will eventually tell me Yes.
2. An inflated confidence. I simply believe I can. My husband always tells me he doesn’t know if my confidence is infuriating because it’s so inflated, or if it’s sexy and attractive.
3. Positive words. I speak positive words over my life daily. I’m not ignorant enough to know that bad things will happen, but I am wise enough to know my responses will effect the final outcome of situations.
I think if you can shut out the outside negativity, walk tall, and speak positively, you have a far better chance of finding successful relationships, successful careers and a happy life.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
There are moments in my life that just feel so overwhelming. I thought I handled life fairly well until I had a child. And while she is the most amazing blessing, the stress and anxiety of feeling overwhelmed all the time became very real very quickly. There are moments I don’t feel like I can balance being the best mom I can be, the best business owner I can be, and still be the best wife I need to be. It’s a circus at times, and the pressure grows. However, I try to keep things in perspective and step back to regroup.
I’ve learned I need a quiet slower start to my morning. I need a coffee in silence. So I feed the kiddo, and ask her to give me 15 minutes of mom time. She’s 7 now, so she knows the routine. She allows me that grace, and for that I am thankful. I think at this time, pray at this time, just breathe fresh air during this silence. It doesn’t matter the season, the temperature, or the weather, I do this outside with no shoes on. I need the earth under my feet first thing as I reflect on my day. I think it helps center and ground me for the day.
When life gets really intense, I pull away. I go write, medidate, walk in the woods, find some water to be beside, and just remember to count my blessings. Again, I try to keep things in perspective. So I look for what I can control and start be regaining a bit of control. Once I have some semblance of regrouping, I always feel a bit better and can start knocking out my to do lists. Life can get hard and messy. You have to lean into what feels authentic and joyful to you. And lifes too short to not be joyful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.schmidtautocare.com
- Instagram: lauralee_davis_schmidt
- Facebook: Schmidt Auto Care
Image Credits
Kelly Ann Photography
