Meet Lauren O’leary

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

Lauren , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I moved from Minnesota to NYC at 18 years old alone. I had a modeling agency and a part time job that I got working at a MAC beauty counter. I experienced so much that young living in a city like new york, trying to figure out the subway system, my way around, how to go on castings and talk to agents and directors, and also how to make ends meet financially in an expensive city like New York. I ended up spending 10 years total in New York, and I think that really grew my resilience. I was always independent growing up, and because of that I learned to depend on myself physically and emotionally and how to continue to get back on my feet and keep going.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I currently work as a makeup artist, content creator and beauty expert. I’ve been doing makeup and hair now for almost 20 years and most of my clients now are large companies for advertisements, commercials and tv. I also take private clients, and work with brands to create fun content about new launches and products. I have always been in the arts. I was modeling here and there and did some commercials as well . I’ve always loved to create. I love meeting new people, learning about them, hearing their stories, and making them feel special and beautiful. I think what makes me unique is that I have experienced the world on both sides of the camera so I can empathize with the models/actors in my chair. I also have a passion for trying new products in the beauty space. I have always loved testing and playing with things..it’s so much fun and brings out that inner child in me. Now-I am 26 weeks pregnant with a baby girl, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to take on this new role and continue to try to do it all!

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

I think resilience is a resounding theme in my life. I think it is so important to be able to bounce back from anything life throws your way because it throws a lot! I learned quickly how to take “no” for an answer, and just continue on like it was nothing and not the end of the road. That is really important. I also learned how to ask for what I want instead of just keep hoping it falls in my lap.
Another quality is hard work. I am not shy to working hard and hustling. For many years when I lived in NYC I didn’t have a tv, and when people asked me what I did for fun I thought, well everything, my life is fun because I’m chasing after the things I want and pursuing my goals and dreams. There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishing something you wanted.
Lastly, learn how to be a good friend. I think this took me actually a lot longer to understand than some simply because I was so independent. But- I have realized how important it is to show up for people, and check in with people, listen and be there for others. Having a strong support system is crucial in any area of life.

My advice for folks early in their journey is to make sure what you are doing is something you truly enjoy, ask for what you want, don’t take no for an answer, and continue to get back up and try again because it really does make you super strong.

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

My biggest area of growth in the last 12 months has definitely been my inner strength and ability to let things go that I cannot control. I have learned the hard lesson that I can’t force anything or change anyone, and to not let somone elses’ actions affect me so much. We can only control how we respond to things and how we carry forward. So let things go so they don’t linger and bother you, and the happier you will be .

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Katina Elizabeth Photography

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