ELLEN ADES
LAUREN TOBIAS WAS IN THE HANDMADE HAIR ACCESSORY BUSINESS. EVENTUALLY, SHE DECIDED TO EXPLORE HER CREATIVITY ON A LARGER SCALE AND KNEW A CHANGE WAS NEEDED. LAUREN TOOK A JOB WORKING AT A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION AND LOVED INTERACTING WITH FAMILIAR CLIENTELE.
It was great for the mother of three youngsters, because it allowed her to be home when her children got off the bus each day. After several years, Lauren began to crave a challenge. She wanted to achieve but had no idea “what?” so she called PROPEL.
Lauren explained, “When I heard the words interior design I wanted to pursue it, but didn’t believe I could. I was intimidated. PROPEL changed my mind, gave me confidence and urged me forward.” Today, Lauren owns LT Designs (@laurentob_designs). She has two assistants and has just signed a lease for office space. When I asked how she feels about the way everything has turned out, she responded, “I like my life. I feel fulfilled. I love my work and feel proud of what I have accomplished so far.”
Many people ask, “How does PROPEL work?” Women who want to earn or begin careers contact PROPEL. Some women know what they want to do and some do not. All clients fill out preliminary paperwork before they are assigned a coach. The coach gets to know the client and is there to provide guidance as needed. Lauren’s husband, Abe Tobias said, “The most significant thing PROPEL did was give my wife the initiative to start something. She knew she had a partner when she began her business, which is the most difficult time.”
Some clients require training or education to enter a professional field. Some just need guidance. In every case, PROPEL is here to collaborate with each woman, providing her with the opportunity to be supported as needed. During Lauren’s journey, she was encouraged by her PROPEL coach to take an internship in interior design while still in school. Lauren said that was excellent advice because it gave her the opportunity to accelerate her learning. As she continued her education, someone contacted her to take on a design project. She discussed everything with her coach up until that point, and knew she could access additional guidance as each fork in the road appeared. This, together with the experience she was getting, built her confidence. Completion of her first project resulted in additional referrals and she felt it was time to leave the internship and start building her own design firm. Posting on Instagram and working to deliver value to her clientele drove business. Lauren believes if you do your job well, there are clients for everyone.
Anyone in business should remember that it’s a big world out there, and there are potential clients outside of our immediate community. Designers should keep this in mind, as Lauren does, if they want to build a broad clientele. She intimated that her ideal client is someone who communicates her likes and dislikes accurately, trusting LT Designs to deliver an inspired vision.
Lauren is surprised by how much more confident she feels now. She thinks of herself as a professional. “Getting certified, being supported by PROPEL and at home, and gaining experience made the difference,” Lauren said. She shared that every woman needs a support system at home. In Lauren’s case that is her husband. “He is my best friend, my main support and my best sounding board,” she said.
Lauren acknowledges that it is challenging to start a business. The stress of finding clients and trying to be home for the children can be taxing. “Everyday I try to be a better wife and mother because each day my business takes some of my focus away from my family. I have to prioritize what’s important. Thankfully, my husband is a ‘hands on’ Dad.” It’s difficult, but Lauren and Abe make it work.
Lauren said, other interior designers in the community have been very supportive. They offered advice when it was most needed. In that same spirit she added, “I intend to pay their generosity forward by trying to support other up-and-coming designers.”
If you are interested in a career or if you are in need of career guidance, please reach out to PROPEL to help you take the steps to fulfill your professional goals and dreams. Call PROPEL at 646-494-0822 or email info@thepropelnetwork.org. You can also find them at Instagram @PropelNetwork.
Ellen Ades is a career coach at PROPEL.
