Meet Lauren Hickman

We recently connected with Lauren Hickman and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us today. We’re excited to dive into your story and your work, but first let’s start with a broader topic that might be stopping many of our readers from pursuing their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. How have you managed to persist despite haters and nay-sayers that inevitably follow folks who are doing something unique, special or off the beaten path?
Interestingly enough – I saw a message on social media recently and it said – “Entrepreneurship is risking it all for a dream nobody can see but you.”

When I started my entrepreneurship journey – there was so much excitement! I felt like I was going to take over the world! My dream and goals were going to executed to perfection and I would get all the business/customers in no time – and that just was not the reality first off. I have had to take so many public L’s I can’t even count on two hands – but what I have found for each person who has asked ‘how is that little business of yours going?’ or ‘are you still doing your business’ or ‘why don’t you give it up and just focus on something else’ – I anchor to my why.

I created my businesses (3 in total so far!) to create a space of realness, joy and put out positivity in the world. With now rounding year 5 of entrepreneurship – there are elements that have gotten easier, but areas that are still areas that are challenging.

I have found that with people ‘hating’ on my businesses – I look at it as I am really on to something, and they would rather me just stay at a lower level than elevating.

With all of the ‘hating’ that comes it has had a positive effect in growing my confidence in myself and what I can bring to the table. There is not a nay-sayer or hater that can’t really impact me the way it used to because I know I am on my God-given path. I anchor that to anytime something tries to shake me anyway from my journey.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
About Lauren Hickman – Owner of Speak Up La™ Inc.

I am the Founder & CEO of Speak Up La™ Inc. When I introduce myself, I like to say I am “Midwest born, West Coast raised and Southern Made.” I was born right outside of Chicago, IL. Spent childhood years in Hawaii and the finished upbringing California. Then made my way south for an unforgettable HBCU education – from living in all these various places has made me the unique person you see today.

I attended Fisk University for undergrad and Clark Atlanta University where I received my Master of Business Administration. Going to an HBCU was by far the best decision of my life. The friends and relationships built during that time (and still to this day) helps anchor and support me through my journey of life. Which was in part the inspiration to the creation of the Speak Up La ™ Show.

Back in 2021, I created the ‘Speak Up La™ Show’ that focused on showcasing & celebrating Black Excellence in real time. The show focuses on introducing you to many of my friends that share their life stories, and all just so happen to be HBCU Alum! The show showcases various paths from – Doctors, Lawyers, Educators, Art Gallery Owners to Entrepreneurs’ where they talk about their life but also provide advice to the younger generation. The show is currently available on YouTube on my channel @speakupla.

In addition to the Speak Up La ™ Show, I also have a podcast that is available on multiple platforms (i.e. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Anchor, etc.). In a few weeks I will be launching my new series “Best Advice Given” in which I will share some of the best advice and lessons received so far. In my podcast I focus on providing motivation and guidance to all. While also sharing my truths so that individuals know ‘it’s not just them’ going through some of life’s hardships.

A full list of my services can be found on my website www.speakupla.com. I created this business as a commitment to stepping out of my comfort zone & I help people do the same thing! Hope to connect with you soon!

Speak Up La™ Inc. is an international consulting business that fosters & grows businesses, advocates small business ownership, implements sustainable programming, designs marketing campaigns, coaches’ individuals & businesses in Corporate America while also producing media content via streaming, blog, vlog and podcasts aimed at motivating people to be their best selves.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three things that come to mind are 1. ‘Failure’ is going to happen 2. Find the silver lining in all situations and 3. Keep going. The best way I can touch on these items is a story about the first major event I had as an entrepreneur.

Early on in my entrepreneurship journey, I decided to host an event geared to helping the community related career prep services. I got facilitators, created a ton of marketing materials, planned out the whole day, had a whole food spread, had like 20+ committed volunteers to give up their Sunday to come help me and guess what – only two, yes, only two people showed up.

I was crushed. All the time and money spent and asking people to volunteer 4+ hours – I was so embarrassed that I wanted to crawl under a rock. To ‘fail’ in such a public way was hard. I wanted to quit entrepreneurship right then and there.

Thankfully all the volunteers knew each other so the ‘failed’ session turned into an impromptu networking/catch up session. Because we all were so busy – this was the first time in a while that all those individuals were able to be under one roof to chat freely and catch on life and work. The best part in the session was as a group they sat there and helped me strategize on how to make the next session better and how market it better.

I found the silver lining in that I was able to execute such a great event, even though only two people showed, I proved to myself that I was able to complete the task. It was also so encouraging that some many believed in my vision and that just because the first one failed, didn’t mean that the service wasn’t needed.

I will be honest in that I have not done the event again (thinking about revamping it this fall). Since I have kept going in my entrepreneurship journey, I have also learned various was that I can make the future event even better and more impactful!

Entrepreneurship is a true roller coaster. A lot of times feel like you are ‘failing’ more than winning. Keep going and never forget to anchor on your why you started in the first place. It may take a while but trust eventually things will turn around for the better.

And don’t forget ‘failure’ isn’t bad – it is a space where you learn and grow. Failure is what molds you into the person you are meant to be and the business that you are meant to create.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
My biggest area of growth over the last 12 months has been in setting boundaries and taking care of self-first.

I am a natural giver so whenever someone needs something from me – I would give with no questions; until one day I woke up, looked around and realized that I was completely burned out.

It was so bad to the point that even after going on two weeklong vacations – I would be back and within in day get back to the burnt-out feeling. It is not a good place. You cannot pour from an empty cup.

And boundaries are not just tied to people – you must look at this in the ways in which how you show up from yourself in relation to health as well. If you set a commitment of getting 8 hours of sleep, you need your 8 hours. So, setting a boundary to not watch tv until 2am to impact your day must happen.

My friends literally laugh at me because they have said ‘boundaries are my new favorite word’ but it is really that I needed to show up better to take care of myself. And once I set boundaries in place, it has helped me show up better for my friends, family and ultimately in my businesses as well.

I challenge anyone to set boundaries that work best for them. Yes, do I bend them at times, absolutely but I now have better systems in place to back on track quickly. Taking care of myself is my priority, it has truly been a game charger in how I show up in life.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Pose by LCG Photography; Speak Up La Inc.

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