Meet Laura Kronen | Entrepreneur & Homeschooling Mom

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Kronen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
WIthout a doubt, homeschooling my children was the most important thing I have done as a parent. I believe that family is everything, so sharing so much quality time with my sons while they were growing up, introducing them to everything the world has to give, is something I have never regretted, even for a second. My sons feel the same way.

Homeschooling gave them both a thirst for knowledge, a strong passion for what interests them, and the ability to practice it daily. It also empowered them to question everything, instead of being told what and how to think. Homeschooling let my children go at their own pace and focus on what was important to them while at the same time learning real-life skills, building confidence, developing a deep respect for others, and giving back to their community and to society. Being home also permitted them to be “kids” for so much longer – enjoying the outdoors, exploring, and playing games without the peer pressure of growing up too fast.

My children accomplished so much in such a short time because they went at their own pace. My oldest son earned his associate’s degree in political science before graduating high school and my youngest is on track to do the same with an associate’s degree in music. The impact that homeschooling has had on my children and family is immeasurable. My sons are the salt of the earth – intelligent, well-rounded kind, witty and talented human beings who continually seek out the type of people and places that resonate with their soul, their faith and their love of learning. Mission accomplished.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am a true entrepreneur at heart. From making a killing selling donuts, coffee and newspapers on the side of the road during the gas strike lines of the 1970’s, to my snow shoveling business in junior high school that employed my younger brothers, to my chocolate making business in high school, to my jewelry making business in college, to creating kids party games that I sold on Etsy, I was always hustling and always looking for a creative outlet. After graduating college I ended up working in the (not-so) glittering world of fashion and public relations where I traveled the world going to fashion shows and dressing celebrities and even doing some modeling myself. It was fun, but the truth is, I really didn’t enjoy working for someone else. But, I wasn’t sure what I should do next.

Having my first child is what inspired me to start my first company, Baby is a Star, Inc, and create my first “big thing” – a children’s video series that competed with Baby Einstein, called Baby Road Trip. It was a series of educational videos that took little ones on musical journeys to different destinations like the City, the Beach, the Jungle or the Circus. This video series was my “other” baby and I poured my blood, sweat and tears into it. There were many companies making offers to buy my brand. I ended up picking one and thought that it was a good decision. It wasn’t. The guys who I partnered with (who had a stake in Clifford the Big. Red Dog) promised me the world, but ended up being slimy and shady and fighting among themselves. Their partnership broke up and my series was shelved and I couldn’t do anything about it unless I had an endless supply of cash for entertainment lawyers, and I didn’t. That was one of my first major business lessons and possibly my only major life regret. I am still bitter about it.

Soon after, I had my second son and it inspired my next brainchild: Belly Ups – an accessory that holds up your pants when pregnant. Again I had companies interested in buying my brand because it was so successful. I had thought I Iearned from my past mistakes, but I didn’t realize there were other mistakes to make. The company that bought Belly Ups ran it into the ground and they went bankrupt. I was able to sue this entity without offering my first born as collateral and I got my brand back. But, the damage was done. I went from being in hundreds of boutiques and major retailers to having two accounts left due to their customer service incompetence and trying to cut corners and make a cheaper product. I’m still in the process of getting the brand back to what it was, but it’s hard to go backwards when your mind is already two businesses ahead.

After moving from NYC to Atlanta, and being inspired by listening to Tony Robbins speak at one of his shows, I got certified in Life Coaching techniques including NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and hypnosis and started my current company, Be You Only Better. Almost overnight I had a full book of business specializing in helping people build self confidence, improve relationships, live a healthier life with diabetes (or whatever is challenging them), as well as help other entrepreneurs bring their dreams to fruition. Additionally I have developed a coaching program to teach other people to become effective life coaches. Also under my Be You Only Better umbrella I authored and published two books – Too Sweet; The Not- So-Serious Side to Diabetes and Homeschool Happily, Yes You Can!

And, just to keep life interesting, I also consult with a number of pharmaceutical companies in the diabetes realm on their product development and marketing, homeschool my children, am a ‘Momager” for my sons budding music career (www.brettryder.com), as well as do UGC work for many different brands including skincare products, health apps, consumer products, fashion, and travel – all while working on my next big idea. Every day is different and exciting and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I jump out of bed every morning enthusiastic for what the new day holds.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would definitely bring my friend to one of my favorite spots in Atlanta to spend the day – the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. There is always a one-of-a kind exhibition on display and it is a beautiful spot to unplug and enjoy nature while we catch up. I especially love the Gardens in the fall for ‘Scarecrows in the Garden’. A few years ago I designed a scarecrow for that event and have another one in the works for either this fall or next. That is my favorite time of year!

Other outdoor activities would be taking a walk or cycling on the Atlanta BeltLine from Krog Street Market to Ponce City Market and absorbing all of the unique murals and artwork along the way. And, of course, grabbing an Acai Bowl from Playa Bowls for lunch and some margaritas and Tex-Mex at Superica when the sun goes down.

I would absolutely take my friend to see a concert at State Farm Arena, the FOX or the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta. This is the summer of live shows for me! Duran Duran, The Cure, Culture Club, Bret Michaels, Pantera, Depeche Mode, and Morrissey are all on my list to see this summer and fall!

My friend would have to accompany me to my workouts because I cant give that up even when a friend is in town- so we would be hitting Pure Barre on Old Alabama Rd in Johns Creek. I also hope my friend plays tennis because we would have to hit a bit and then go watch the tennis greats play live at the Atlanta Open at the end of July.

Other restaurants that we would definitely go to are my favorites – Poor Calvins for a yummy dinner and Long Island Tikis or Lychee Martinis – or both! And DelBar – a new location just opened in Alpharetta and it is incredible.

And of course, we would cap off every night anywhere my son, Brett Ryder, might be performing – Rock-N-Taco, Truck n Tap, or the new Olys Tavern in Johns Creek

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout goes to Type 1 Diabetes for attacking my pancreas 30 years ago. It might be an unconventional shout out in that it didn’t exactly show me any love, support or encouragement over the past three decades, but it has definitely shaped who I am in life.

It gave me self-discipline, the ability to fight adversity head-on, strength and perseverance to never give up on anything, and the grit I need to overcome any challenge. It also gave me a strong sense of empathy for those with struggles and those that are fighting the good fight.

Living with Type 1 also inspired me to author my first book, Too Sweet: The Not-So-Serious Side to Diabetes (followed by Homeschool Happily: Yes, You Can!) Lastly it fulfilled one of my life purposes of connecting and supporting people with the same diagnosis as me to improve their health and wellness through my Life Coaching services and speaking engagements.

Website: www.beyouonlybetter.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/beyouonlybetter

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurakronen

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/laurakronen

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@SuperCoolHomeSchool