Meet Lauren McDonald | Founder of Urban Business Directory

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

Hi Lauren, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is my community. My community is the spark that ignites the fire in me to serve small and disadvantaged BIPOC owned businesses. Every service that the Urban Business Directory provides impacts the community. By helping small BIPOC businesses, the Urban Business Directory is closing economic gaps, re-circulating the black dollar within the community, and empowering individuals to pursue their dreams of entrepreneurship. Without my community, my business wouldn’t be possible.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Urban Business Directory is a Black business directory and full service marketing agency that specializes in increasing the visibility and enhancing reputation for BIPOC owned, specifically black-owned businesses.  We help small black businesses market their business at affordable prices, usually half the national average price of standard marketing agencies, without compromising quality or customer satisfaction.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting Atlanta for a week, I would take them to a mixture of Atlanta and its surrounding cities’ iconic hot spots such as the World of Coca Cola, The Georgia Aquarium, the MLK National Historical Park, and the Atlanta Beltline. I would also explore Atlanta and its surrounding cities’ eclectic and hidden little gems such as The Fernbank Museum, Krog Street tunnel, 54 Columns, and Cascade Skating Rink, and the CDC Museum.

I would insist on my friends eating at some excellent restaurants such as Suite Food Lounge, Negril, Hattie Marie’s BBQ, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, and Sublime donuts.

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 husband, Zevi. So many people have the idea that being an entrepreneur is very easy or they believe that it’s normal for success to happen overnight with very little effort or sacrifice. However, it’s the exact opposite. Effort and sacrifice are required in order to be a successful entrepreneur and I am grateful to my husband for supporting my dreams and being the best life partner that I could ask for. We run a busy household which can be extremely overwhelming; yet, he is the anchor that keeps our family at bay. My husband’s support, love, wisdom, experience, and presence has enabled me to be a more successful business owner, loving mother, affectionate wife, and empowered woman.

Website: www.urbanbusinessdirectory.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanbusinessdirectory/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-lacey/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ubdmarketing

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urbanbusinessdirectory

Image Credits
Aiva Genys Farrahn Thomas