Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Sanchez.
Lauren, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to be two things: a writer and an entrepreneur. The writing came from my love of stories — I’ve always been fascinated by how people think, what drives them, and how ideas connect. The entrepreneur side came from watching my dad build a business from the ground up. I saw the pressure, the setbacks, the long hours — but I also saw the freedom and creativity that came from building something that was truly yours.
My uncle once told me, “If you follow what makes you curious, you’ll always find work that’s fascinating.” I took that advice seriously, and it led me down a path that, at the time, didn’t look linear — but in hindsight makes perfect sense.
I started in digital marketing agencies back when Twitter (now X) was first emerging and businesses were just beginning to understand social media. My first “big girl” job was at a publishing firm where I was hired to write to cat bloggers. I remember thinking, “How did I end up here?” But to do the job well, I had to learn how to speak “cat.” I had to understand what that audience cared about, what mattered to them, and how to connect in a way that felt authentic.
That experience shaped everything. It taught me that marketing isn’t about what you want to say — it’s about what your audience needs to hear.
From there, I worked with small businesses that launched everything from real estate startups to nonprofits. I saw firsthand how exciting — and overwhelming — growth can be. Later, I spent 12 years at CBRE, the world’s largest commercial real estate firm, where I moved across roles in business development, corporate communications, marketing, leadership development, and HR. That chapter gave me a rare vantage point: I learned how large organizations think about growth, systems, leadership, and strategy at scale.
Looking back, I can see now how I was fortunate to gain a 360-degree understanding of how businesses grow — from scrappy startups to global enterprises.
Eventually, I began to notice something. The small business owners who needed strategic guidance the most often couldn’t access it. They were doing everything themselves — posting constantly, hiring freelancers, trying agencies — but still not seeing consistent results. They weren’t lacking effort. They were lacking clarity.
That realization led me to start Lauren Sanchez Consulting.
Today, I work selectively with solopreneurs and small businesses who are ready to grow but feel stuck. Instead of endless posting, expensive retainers, or generic outsourcing, I become a strategic partner. We turn scattered marketing into clear, intentional strategy that actually brings in customers. My clients don’t just get marketing done — they gain confidence, direction, and consistent leads without burning out or breaking the bank.
Outside of business, I’m a wife and mom of three. Motherhood was the biggest identity shift of my life. When I first became a working mom, I realized success looked different than I had imagined. That tension — between ambition and responsibility, drive and devotion — led me to write my book, This Wasn’t the Plan: What Motherhood Taught Me about Work, Worth, and Wanting More. I wrote it to help other working moms feel seen and understood, and to share what I’ve learned about redefining success, reclaiming time, and building a life that actually feels like your own. I’m incredibly proud that it reached #1 Top New Release in six categories on Amazon.
At the core of everything I do — whether consulting or coaching — is this belief: growth should feel aligned. You can build a successful business without losing yourself in the process. You can pursue ambition without abandoning your values. And you can create strategy that works without constant hustle.
Curiosity started my journey. Perspective shaped it. And now I use both to help others grow intentionally.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t know any entrepreneur who would describe their journey as completely smooth. There are always learning curves—and I’m still learning every day.
The transition from employee to entrepreneur was one of the biggest mindset shifts of my life. When you’re an employee, there’s structure. There’s a paycheck. There’s external validation that tells you you’re on the right track. When you’re an entrepreneur, you have to create all of that yourself. You have to believe in what you’re building long before there’s evidence that it’s working.
I remember early on, there was a stretch of about eight weeks where I hadn’t earned any income. Eight weeks can feel very long when you’re used to stability. I remember joking to myself, “Maybe I should sell Beanie Babies… would that be more profitable?” It was half humor, half very real uncertainty.
I also had to learn how to put myself out there in a completely new way. I had spent years helping companies grow, but promoting myself felt different. It felt more personal. I had to learn how to talk about what I do in a way that felt authentic—not forced or salesy. That required a lot of growth, both professionally and personally.
What ultimately changed everything was getting clear. Clear on who I was here to serve. Clear on the problems I solve. Clear on how to communicate that in a way that resonates.
I became a student of marketing in a whole new way—not just from a strategic perspective, but from firsthand experience. I often use myself as a testing ground, experimenting with platforms, messaging, and strategies before ever recommending them to clients. That process allows me to bring insights that aren’t theoretical—they’re proven through real-world application.
At the same time, some of my best learning has come through collaboration with my clients. Many of them are incredibly innovative and willing to try new approaches. The most rewarding projects are the ones where we work together to test, refine, and discover what truly works for their business.
Looking back, the challenges were necessary. They forced me to build resilience, trust myself, and develop the clarity and strategic perspective that I now bring to my clients. And it’s one of the reasons I care so deeply about helping business owners move through that same uncertainty with more confidence and direction.
We’ve been impressed with Lauren Sanchez Consulting, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Lauren Sanchez Consulting exists to help small businesses grow with intention, not guesswork.
I work with solopreneurs and small business owners who have reached a point where doing more isn’t the answer. They’ve tried posting more, outsourcing more, or following generic marketing advice—and they’re ready for a smarter, more strategic approach.
My role is to bring clarity to what actually drives growth. That includes defining the right positioning, identifying the highest-leverage opportunities, and building focused marketing systems that consistently attract and convert the right customers. I don’t believe in marketing for the sake of visibility alone. Every strategy we implement is designed to support measurable business momentum.
What sets my work apart is that I operate as a strategic partner, not a task-based vendor. I help clients make informed decisions about where to invest their time, energy, and resources so their business can grow in a way that is both effective and sustainable. The goal isn’t just to increase activity—it’s to increase traction.
I’m known for helping business owners see their business differently. Often, the most valuable shift isn’t a new platform or tactic, but a new level of clarity about what matters most and what doesn’t. That clarity allows them to move forward with confidence instead of constantly second-guessing their decisions.
In addition to consulting, I’m the author of This Wasn’t the Plan: What Motherhood Taught Me about Work, Worth, and Wanting More, which reflects my belief that meaningful growth—whether in business or in life—comes from alignment, not pressure. That perspective shapes how I approach my work and how I support my clients.
I’m most proud of building a brand grounded in thoughtfulness, trust, and results. My clients know they’re not getting generic advice—they’re getting strategic guidance that is tailored, honest, and designed to move their business forward.
I work best with business owners who are ready to grow and are open to thinking strategically about their next chapter. They don’t need more noise. They need clarity, direction, and a partner who can help them execute with purpose.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is my family. They are the center of everything I do.
They’re the reason I chose this path—not just to support them financially, but to show my children what it looks like to build something of your own. I want them to see firsthand what it means to take a risk, to believe in yourself, and to create something meaningful through persistence and intention.
Entrepreneurship is unpredictable, but it’s also deeply fulfilling. It teaches resilience, creativity, and ownership. Being able to model that for my kids is one of the greatest privileges of my life.
Family has also changed how I define success. It’s no longer just about achievement—it’s about alignment. It’s about building a life and a business that reflect what matters most, and making decisions I can feel proud of both professionally and personally.
Beyond my family, I care deeply about helping others build meaningful work. I believe many people feel called to create something—to bring an idea to life, to serve others, to make an impact. Through my consulting work, I have the opportunity to support entrepreneurs in growing their businesses and turning their vision into something real and sustainable.
That’s incredibly meaningful to me. Because when you help a business grow, you’re not just helping one person—you’re helping the families they support, the customers they serve, and the ripple effect they create in their community.
At the end of the day, what matters most is building something that lasts—both in the life I’m creating with my family and in the work I do to help others grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://laurensanchezconsulting.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lsw1006/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenswong/
Image Credits
Photographer: Cris Medrano.
