Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Nelson.
Hi Lauren, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I moved to Dallas six years ago from Haiti. I met my now-husband in Haiti where we started our nonprofit back in 2014. We lived there for almost 2 years before coming back to the US. Dallas was a big adjustment for after growing up in Baton Rouge, La to the Caribbean. If I’m honest though, the tex Mex truly won me over and now I can’t see myself living anywhere else!
I fell in love with the business behind the social media world in 2017. I began teaching myself photography and videography as well as gleaning from a few incredible creatives and business owners I built relationships with. Over the years I had incredible opportunities to work alongside influencers, celebrities, and well-established businesses. I had always dreamed of having my own agency and creating a culture that made others feel empowered, successful in their small beginnings, and encouraged to dream bigger. There’s nothing more powerful than having someone in your corner who believes in your dreams no matter where you are in the unfolding. At the start of 2022, I officially launched my agency, Creative Parlor. We are focused on social media management, content creating, brand/talent management. We have clients in Dallas, Houston, and Canada. They range from influencers, authors, business owners, and life coaches.
I’m a wife, mother of 3 boys, business owner, and COO of our non-profit. Our focus in Haiti is recusing kids from trafficking, in which we currently have two homes and a social goods business. Our charity work remains a passion and still plays a big part of my world. Creative Parlor is a dream of mine that has come to life. I believe content creating has the power to influence people for the greater good. Sharing your story online has the ability to change someone’s life for the better. I wear many hats, but I love what I do and the people it’s connected me to!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve faced countless struggles to get to where I am now. I’ve made mistakes that I’ve had to learn from, I fought anxiety and depression having three unplanned pregnancies while pursing my dream or still having to focus on whatever job I was currently doing. I remember feeling hopeless and wanting to give up both with our charity work and in the creative space. But the truth is, how we respond to difficult situations, setbacks and even our own anxiety makes all the difference. Choosing to get up when you want to throw in the towel, makes you stronger. Failure is a part of the journey and I’ve learned to take those moments and grow from them. Being a mom brought its own set of struggles. It was a challenge trying to find a balance between pursing my dream, working, and being a wife/mother. I didn’t always balance things well which brought its own chaos, but the journey has made me a better business owner, leader, and mother.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My agency focuses on social media management, content creating, talent management, and branding.
Social Media Management:
We love to sit down with individuals/businesses and find out what their social media needs. What has worked or hasn’t worked. We strategize at the beginning of every month and have consistent communication throughout. We set goals, watch analytics, work alongside their marketing team or we market for them.
Brand Management:
Many brands are working with affiliate links and are networking with influencers to get their product out there. We offer packages strictly for brands who need someone to communicate between them and an influencer, monitor how links perform, create content for the links, etc.
Content Creating:
We do photography, videography (editing for both), and graphic design. We create ads for certain clients and monitor how these ads are performing. Whether you are on YouTube, TikTok. Instagram or Facebook, we can create whatever you need.
Talent Management:
We work with influencers on their brand deals, connect with the right ad agencies. We also offer special packages on overseeing their platforms success rate and have monthly meetings to discuss what we need more of / less of.
Mini Branding / Web Design
Creative Parlor is unique because we have a spot for everyone. We appeal to the creatives and to the business owners. We offer affordable packages for the small business owners who need an extra hand but don’t have a large budget yet. I’ve seen several non-profits and small businesses lack in the creative space because they couldn’t afford it. We want to change that! The world is changing so quickly and everyone deserves the chance to tell their story online in a unique way.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Find people who aren’t just like-minded, but find people who will challenge you to go higher. It’s easy to have a “yes” man in your corner. It’s not always easy to have someone who is truly for you and will push you when you want to quit. But if you are going to truly succeed, don’t just succeed alone. Let your success be unto the success of others. Celebrate the small wins as well as the big ones. After all, the smaller ones are what make up the foundation that your dream stands on.
Contact Info:
- Email: lauren@creativeparlor.com
- Website: https://www.creativeparlor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativeparlor_/
Image Credits
Afritina Coker
