Meet the incredible Lauren the founder of Free Range Work Co. who believes in the power of collaborative community where parents can excel in their careers and be around their children.
Join this empowering interview and learn the real meaning of:
– success
-the power of local community
– and not give a damn what other think about you.
Take it away Lauren:
Hi! I’m Lauren, originally from Surrey, now living in Twickenham, South West London. I have one son called Leo aged 2.5 years old now.
Why did you start this project?
I’m the Founder of Free Range Work Co. It’s a co-working club for people who work from home, and we also run an on-site creche for parents who want to join and bring their pre-schooler with them if they don’t have pre-arranged childcare in place already.
I started it originally because I was working from home and dropping my son off to nursery and it felt really lonely and sometimes hard to be productive working from home. I really missed the social side of the office, but didn’t want to go back to commuting!
What would you say, where does your passion come from?
I strongly believe in the power of local community, something we have lost a bit in modern times where we move around a lot more. I lived in Australia for 2 years in 2013-14 and found it interesting how the ex-pat community came together.
I’ve been through some tough times myself when I just felt so alone, and I’d hate for anyone to go through that because they are building a flexible working career.
Loneliness is one of the hardest things to deal with and research shows it also affects us physically. Working flexibly from home has so many benefits, I believe we just need more of a community to support each other to do it effectively.
What motivates you to do what you do?
I strongly believe in equality and the way our working system is set up currently, it does not support people to work flexibly. Especially parents- that is why I run a creche as a part of what we do. Until parental leave is equally shared and companies recognise that working flexibly actually makes people better not worse employees, I think we are going to see so many more people turn to self-employment and freelancing to enable them to achieve a good work/life blend.
What are some everyday challenges you are facing in your venture and as a mum?
It’s often the logistics around running the creche that can make it tricky- managing the toys, bookings and ensuring the nanny to child ratio is correct. Also the finance side- so far I’ve done all this self-funded, but it hasn’t been easy and I’m now seeking investment.
Especially as a mum and having limited hours available to put into this, I’ve had to accept that things won’t happen as quickly as I’d like. But it’s really got me better as prioritising my workload!
Which new skills have you learned since starting your business?
Definitely managing my own time, prioritising my workload and learning to say no to some things because there is no way I could do everything I’m asked or would possibly like to do!
I think the principle that 20% of the tasks drive 80% of the results is true- you just have to find the right 20%!
What specific mistakes did you make which kept you stuck and struggling?
Getting overwhelmed and not taking action- things like wanting my website and booking system to be perfect so trying out many different options and then having to delay launching because I hadn’t actually finalised anything. I’d say just get something out there and improve it as you go along, as chances are once you get feedback from actually making sales, you’ll want to change it anyway.
Please share a quote which fires you up.
Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.”
Sara Blakely:
What are your future aspirations?
To further develop and grow our co-working community and offer ongoing support for people starting or growing a new business.
A book that changed your life?
I’m not sure a book itself has had that impact on me- just thinking back, I think the immersive self-development events I’ve been to have had the biggest impact. I’ve done training with Landmark and Tony Robbins. It’s all about developing a resilient and positive mindset, and having integrity!
A course or a mentor you would recommend?
Tony Robbins– I think his events are incredibly powerful. I’ve completed 2 and hope to do more.
Sam Burgess of Small & Mighty– I’ve done some business coaching with her
Laura of Power of Mum– She’s just the loveliest coach whilst being straight-talking and immediately getting what I’m struggling with.
Would you be able to share with our audience 3 Lessons you have learned by running your own business?
- Numbers on Instagram don’t really matter
- Word of mouth is really powerful
- Believe in karma- help others and it’ll come back to you (but do it because you want to help!)
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Care less about what other people think because they are all thinking the same stuff as you!
It’s OK to be a bit different.
You don’t need to do things the way everyone else does or the way things are expected to be done.
What does success look like for you?
As Tony Robbins says “success without fulfilment is the ultimate failure” so for me it’s feeling contented, happy, having time with family and time to relax without money worries. Yes I’d love a big successful business, but only if it contributes to those points!
Free goodies just for our readers.
You are up for a treat, you can grab a free 20 min virtual cuppa with Lauren and talk about your marketing struggles and see if she holds the missing piece in your marketing puzzle.
And by the way, Lauren is running a FREE Marketing declutter Workshop- Let’s do this! on Friday the 22nd of May 2020 at 10:30 am to 11:30 am via Zoom. She will be covering the following topics:
- Creating a simple one-page marketing strategy
- Considering what works best for your personality type
- Website- top tips around setting up an effective website
- Social media top tips
- Create the best funnels (what even is a funnel?!)
- Email marketing
Please don’t forget to reserve your spot if you are interested as space is limited!
As well as a Free Insta-Clarity Workshop on Friday the 29th of May at 10:30 am to 12:00 pm via Zoom. Please book your space as it is limited.
Here you will work through a 2 page workbook and gain clarity around what to post on Instagram that will get your message across and resonate with your audience. It’s a mixture of mindset, marketing and strategy with a few insights into Instagram tips and tricks that you may not know.
Thank you so much Lauren for taking the time doing this interview with me, if you could tell our audience where they can go and see more about you:
Instagram – @freerangeworkco
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/freerangeworkco
Twitter @freerangeworkco
Website- www.freerangework.co
FRWCo WhatsApp No for Qs/chat: 07368 698425
Ii you want to explore more stories of ordinary women who are doing extraordinary things? On Felicity Magazine, you can learn how Sarah Tucker went from The Voice UK to starting her own business and empowering others to create a work balance life around children. Or find out how Peggy MacSweeney from You and Your Stories started her own story telling photography business after made redundant from her corporate career and is now helping other entrepreneurs telling their brand stories through photos.
Remember if we want our society to thrive we need more women to thrive. That’s why we invest in the success of mums because we know that each woman who succeeds gives back even more to her community and family.
Please do share these stories with others women who are dreaming B.I.G that their dreams deserve their attention too, and that they too can make it.
Isn’t it an incredible gift you can give your mama friends and anyone who your life touches!
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