Meet Lauren Burchett

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lauren Burchett. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lauren below.

Lauren, thank you so much for joining us today and appreciate you talking about a sensitive topic. It’s unfortunately relevant to so many in the community as layoffs have been on the rise recently, and so we’d appreciate hearing your story and how you overcame being let go?

It’s funny when you get laid off – everyone tells you it’s a blessing in disguise and in the immediacy of it happening, that feeling seems so foreign. You’re mad, sad, confused, stressed, exhausted, uncertain, relieved, in some ways happy and it feels like the vacation you’ve always wanted to take but never could. I didn’t feel the “ego-hit” that everyone talks about like “how could they do that to ME?” But rather, I turned inward and asked “who am I without a job?” I had wrapped so much of my identity around my job and career that the separation from it, combined with being at a crossroads in a relationship at the time, I had to look inward to make my way through. I asked myself “Who was I without a job and title?” “What did I want my life to look like?” “Did I want to jump right back into working or take time to reflect and find something that wasn’t “what I’ve always done” but something I truly want to do?” There was a lot to consider and reflect upon.

I was laid off in June 2023 after a combined 10-years at The Company I worked for. Despite knowing layoffs were looming, I never imagined that I would be impacted. Perhaps that was foolish of me as I would come to learn over the next 13-months that’d follow, there’s no certainty and I had no control over this outcome. I would come to see that my being laid off had nothing to do with me personally, it wasn’t about how hard I worked, how many hours I gave beyond the scope I needed to, all the sacrifices and burnout – I would come to see my position as the commodity I was to The Company. They paid me to work and make them money and that was the silent agreement. Did I make friends there – of course and some of the best I’ll ever have. But The Company was not and is not my friend – it was my employer and they were (and are) in the business of doing what’s best for them and shareholders and a reorganization and downsizing helps their bottom line. It wasn’t personal but it led me down a very personal exploration.

I used my time in unemployment to discover who I was without this career I had built over 23-years. To find who I was when I wasn’t trying to prove something or climb a rung on a corporate ladder. I dug deep, worked out to keep my body strong and my mind sharp, I went (and still go) to therapy every week to dig into the origins of my work ethic and drive, not to mention the validation working provided, but also to break down, to admit how hard it is to find work these days, and also figure out how to be resilient in a job market like no other.

I joined Never Search Alone groups and read the book. I took a course with the Consultant Code to dive deeper into possibilities of having my own business to help people sell successfully no matter and feel more confident selling. I dove into mediation, breathwork and soundbaths in combination with my workouts to relive my body of all the stress and anxiety that it held for years of wanting to prove I was seen as “good enough” in my career and many other aspects of my life. In doing all of these healing modalities, I started to refine what I wanted, how I wanted to show up every day, and how I saw myself and my value and worth. I chose people and opportunities that met me right where I was and where it didn’t feel like “work” but an equitable exchange. My perspective shifted and I launched my own sales coaching business (@thisisbirch) and have helped several smaller female run businesses/entrepreneurs refine their pitch/sales story so they feel confident asking for what they deserve and want in a business setting. I channeled my worth into helping others see and achieve theirs through a sales lens. I have been deliberate in the roles I’ve sought and pursued and I continue to search. I have felt the full spectrum of every single thing I have experienced – losing jobs I wanted, frustrations of the job marketplace and application process and celebrated my resilience amidst my struggle. I have chosen to feel it all fully so as to move through it. And, while my search for full time employment continues, I feel confident and trust myself enough to know what is right for me and hold out for where I can do meaningful work.

I have learned that losing a job is a form of loss and one that required me taking time to grieve and process. And with that grief came all the things I had lost or not gotten and healing those years of pain too. This process is different for everyone and impacted by finances, family situations, housing, health and numerous other factors. I was lucky in my situation, but not blind to the hardships and hard truths of being unemployed. It’s in and through my privilege and this experience I also gained an empathy and understanding I didn’t have before. It’s softened me. I lost more than my job through my unemployment journey – I shed an old self and way of being and working. And now I look ahead to see what this clearing has done and see a wide expanse of opportunity ahead.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I have a career spanning over two decades at some of the most iconic brands globally, I’ve refined a selling style that’s distinctly my own—a style that’s paved the way for unparalleled success.

I believe that great sellers forge genuine, creative, impactful partnerships and develop deep and enduring relationships. my style of sales transcends conventional boundaries and is fertile ground for creativity, authenticity, impactful connections and business growth.

This approach and belief has been my guiding star since my first sales job and led me to develop a blend of tools and strategies that not only spotlighted my capabilities as a salesperson, but sparked substantial business growth for the companies I worked for as well.

Whether it was weaving magic in the corridors of Disney, sparking innovation at Google, or creating unforgettable sports content and partnerships at ESPN, my mission has always been to forge connections that resonate and last.

I am a native of Los Angeles and now live in Nashville, a proud alumna of Scripps College, The Women’s College, where I received a degree in Media Studies. My sales journey has been a path marked by learning, growth, and the unwavering belief that when we empower others, we elevate ourselves.

I am an impassioned board member of The Fondle Project – a non profit organization devoted to celebrating breast cancer thrivers on their journey (www.thefondleproject.org), have started my own sales coaching business called “this is birch” (www.thisisbirch.com) and I envision a world where sales is not a term to shy away from, but rather, about making deeper connections, where every interaction is an opportunity to inspire.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

As it pertains to being laid off – I think patience, self reflection, and resilience are the traits that helped me through along with a healthy dose of support from friends, my therapist, and healthy outlets.

I think if this happens to you – and I hope it doesn’t – I’d say be really gentle with yourself and don’t be afraid to admit how hard it is and what you’re feeling. It gives other people an opportunity to really support you authentically and also a sense of truly knowing who you can lean on as you navigate these new waters. It is an adjustment on a multitude of levels and you’re going to feel and experience a lot.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

For me it’s been my own road of self discovery and reflection so that the back half of my life (I’m 46) is what I want it to be. I had to take a hard look at myself and where and how I’ve participated in the outcomes of my life I didn’t love – be it relationships or professionally and really explore of what I’ve always done is helping me achieve my life goals and desires. In doing this, which is not easy, I finally feel like I’m at a turning point- that the jobs I didn’t get were for a reason, that this time was indeed a gift because I don’t see when or how I’d have done this work as deeply and quickly if not for being laid off. And it’s allowed me to really tune in to my inner compass and learn to trust and listen to myself in ways I hadn’t before and chase after opportunities that will open new doors and help me live the life I envision for myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thisisbirch.com
• Instagram: @lauren_e_burchett @thisisbirch
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenburchett/

Image Credits

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