Meet Lauren Fitzgerald | Baby + Toddler Boutique Owner

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

Hi Lauren, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
This is a tough one. For a really long time I felt I was doing almost everything halfway. When I was working I was popping in to check on my kids. When I was with my kids I was checking on my business and making sure everything was getting done and where it needed to be. It was a terrible way to do things. Now – I’m either clocked into work or I’m clocked into personal time. I try my best not to intermingle them too much. If I need to check something from work I sent an internal clock for myself. Check on what I need to and then clock out and I’m back to what I was doing.

This separation can be so difficult – but let’s be real what isn’t difficult as a business owner when you first implement it – but it pays off. I feel like when I’m on my personal time with family or doing something for myself I can really enjoy that time. When I’m working I’m so much more productive because I’m not popping in and out of the office every half an hour to check on things.

Another thing that has really helped with work life balance – OUTSOURCING. As an entrepreneur trusting someone else with any part of your business can be TOUGH. But it has really helped to free up some of the time sucking tasks for me so I can focus on expanding the business or prioritizing family time when I would otherwise be tackling those items.

I’m at a point where I feel like I’ve hit a really good balance, knock on wood!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Talk about a loaded couple of questions! I think the thing that sets my shop apart from so many others is this community that I have built with my customers. When someone joins my Facebook group they’re joining a community. We celebrate each others wins, we offer encouragement and so much more.

Now, hear me out because this may be unpopular, part of the reason I am where I am is because I stopped thinking soooo much and started doing. If you wait for the perfect time, the perfect environment, etc, you’ll always find a reason to push things off. Instead of waiting until I felt everything was perfect I launched my business with limited products, limited releases, and loads of discounts while trying new items. Not only did this get the ball rolling, it created trust with my customers. They have learned and grown with me. They also know I’m the first person to admit if something doesn’t pass my quality test and that I will do anything I need to in order to make it right.

The lessons that I’ve learned along the way have been innumerable. I think the biggest lessons that I am still working on learning is overcoming imposter syndrome. It’s a doozy. We see it all the time. Women entrepreneurs are often referred to as “boss babe” not business owner. They’re asked about their “side hustle” and not their company. Reframing these conversations has been a challenge but it opens a conversation that I think needs to be had. For a long time I did think of Shop Lauren Fitz as a “side hustle” so shifting my mindset and reframing the conversation has been pivotal in overcoming imposter syndrome.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A hike of the Roswell Mill is a must – out of the way but so worth it. Of course an afternoon at New Realm Brewery. Dark Horse is a must for drinks and the live band karaoke. Walking the Beltline with cocktails at Ladybird.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This list could be so long but without my husband, Zach, there is no way I would have been able to build the business that I have. From helping me around the shop, to being my biggest cheerleader, to holding down the house on those long days.

Website: www.shoplaurenfitz.com

Instagram: @shoplaurenfitz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/879576179059046