Meet Lauren Smith - Toronto Business Babes Chapter Leader
Meet Lauren Smith! Owner of Modern Collective and the Chapter Leader of Toronto Business Babes, the Toronto chapter of Business Babes Collective.
Lauren is a passionate event planner, connection creating expert, and lover of all thing’s events & travel. Lauren helps busy entrepreneurs create in-person connections with their online community so they can strengthen their relationships, provide incredible value, and turn their community into raving fans.
Excited to learn more about Lauren? Check out the interview we did with her below!
How did you get started in your business?
Went to school for business + event management so I knew I always wanted to be in the event space! When I graduated school I got a position planning events for some of Canada’s top financial institutions and I was hooked! I worked my way up the ladder and ended up running the events department for a few massive national brands. I LOVED what I was doing, but hated who I was doing it for so I left and after a few short stints trying to find my footing I couldn’t find the happiness I was looking for until I decided to go out on my own! Now I do everything that I loved before but for all of my clients.
Favorite hobbies or passions outside of business?
My rescue pup! If I am not working, I am on an adventure with her.
What keeps you inspired?
Helping my clients achieve their goals + working towards building my dream life!
What is one of the most challenging hurdles you've faced in business?
COVID LOL being in the events + travel space, COVID really grounded me and stopped my business on all front but it also gave me time to work on some of the things I had on my to-do list forever.
How has COVID affected your business and how have you pivoted?
I essentially stopped all work. I had client events that had to be moved, no new clients were being onboarded and all of my other events came to a huge halt! We pivoted to some online events but have really used this time to take a look at the business and how we can overall be better going forward. It was almost the pause I needed – had I continued at the pace I was at before I would have burnt out so quickly!
Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 years?
I love this! In 5 years I would love to have a little family. I’ve ALWAYS dreamed of having kids but I have been so dedicated to my career growth in my 20’s I haven’t made space for that. Entering my 30’s in August this year and those thoughts definitely have changed. I will always be a career girl I think, it lights my soul on fire to build a business but I absolutely want a family too so I am excited to navigate what that looks like! As for my business, I still want to be doing what I love and building events for my clients but I want to be more high level and not as hands-on with the travel of EVERY client. I also want to build out a travel agency and have that be a big focus, on top of my coaching and courses so I’ll still be super busy and have my hands in lots of projects, but I think the more high level and less in the trenches (at least that’s the hope!!) Oh and traveling lots!
What do you do to educate yourself as an entrepreneur? (Books, podcasts, courses, etc.)
I LOVE podcasts, I try to listen to one a day. I also have a coach who’s content I am obsessed with, and I am always surrounding myself with people who are smarter than me so every conversation is a learning opportunity. I love it when women come together to support each other. Example - something I know nothing about but is easy to talk about to a friend of mine is a great way to bond us together. Just like something that I am really good at and my friend doesn’t have experience in is another great conversation starter. It’s one of my favorite parts of being an entrepreneur!
What are your top 3 tips for business owners who are just starting out?
1.Hire a coach! I know that this can be a heavy investment but it’s SO worth it. If you can’t afford the ticket price right away, find a few that you really resonate with and get on their email list, download their free resources, and watch all of their webinars. Over time you will start to get familiar with the way that they teach and really see if they are a good fit for you – it will make the investment easier when the time comes.
2. Surround yourself with a strong support system. If you don’t have one, find one immediately. Starting a business can be really lonely and scary at times, your support system will make all of the difference.
3. Jump before you’re ready. If you wait for the perfect time, you’ll be waiting forever and will always come up with excuses why now isn’t the right time.
Interested in learning more about Lauren and her business Modern Collective? Head here to learn more today!