Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Golden.
Lauren, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a wife and a mom of three, marketing nerd and iced coffee enthusiast (half sweetened with soy milk). I am also the founder of The Free Mama Movement where I help mamas work from home on their own terms and live a totally awesome, guilt-free life. You see, I’m on a mission to make sure no mother has to choose between family and financial stability.
So, how the heck did I get here?
About five years ago, I looked around and realized I was working a decent paying job that I didn’t love while my two babies were in daycare and my husband was off building a business. I wasn’t showing up as the mom I wanted to be after working my full-time job, then tackling a brutal commute and housework. I wasn’t showing up as the wife I wanted to be, partially because I resented my husband for getting to pursue his dreams and also because I was so, so tired. But it wasn’t until after I suffered a miscarriage a year later that I had the courage to do something about it.
It sounds a little woo-woo, but I heard a voice in my head that asked me what the heck I was waiting for. And at that moment, I knew I was ready to live life on my own terms. Actually, do it, not just talk about it. I quit my job 1 week later and have never looked back.
I spent two years creating a very successful freelancing business from home. I learned a lot of lessons about self-employment the hard way – like the importance of contracts, pricing, and crystal clear communication around expectations and boundaries. I was quickly making more than I had been at my previous job. Plus, I was working fewer hours, and on my own timeline. At the risk of sounding cheesy – I knew I was onto something and that if I could do it, other people could do it, too.
In 2017, I launched The Free Mama Movement, a thriving community of over 15,000 thousand women who don’t want to sacrifice time with their babies in order to provide for them. I’ve taught hundreds of mamas on how to build a freelancing business from home with my online courses and group coaching programs. Last year, I achieved a lifetime goal of becoming a #1 international bestselling author. It hasn’t been a straight and narrow journey, but it has been a quick ride to make a lasting impact and I’m so incredibly proud of what I have built with the support of my husband, my business coach and my team (6 of whom are former students of mine!). And if I’m honest, we’re just getting started.
Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not. I don’t believe there is such a thing as a smooth road to success, mostly because we typically don’t get the clarity of seeing the entire road when we get started. Instead, the path gets clearer with each step – and misstep – we take.
But here’s the deal, we make things way harder than they have to be.
There are external challenges – like the time my Facebook ads account was disabled for a month and it felt like the world was ended. Of course, it was not, and it gave me the opportunity to diversify my traffic sources for my business, something I wasn’t previously doing. These external challenges are tough, but they happen and are often completely outside of our control. Instead of letting them break you down, try to figure out the lesson and keep moving.
There are also internal challenges – we like to call this mindset. Unlike external challenges, internal challenges come from the noise in between the ears. The stories we tell ourselves, like “I’m not good enough” or “no one would pay me that much” or “people are going to think you’re nuts.” If you’re struggling with the negative self-talk or allowing fear or imposter syndrome to hold you back, invest in tools and resources to help you blast past them. I work with a mindset coach. Journal. Meditate. Listen to podcasts or audiobooks that fire you up. Surround yourself with positive people. And remember, if a thought isn’t serving you, go ahead and tell it to shove off because you have an impact to make in this world.
We’d love to hear more about The Free Mama.
I’m passionate about showing other moms how to start and run a successful freelancing business from home. Hundreds of families today are happier and more fulfilled thanks to my online programs. I also run The Free Mama Matchmaker Service, where I connect graduates of my elite online program with entrepreneurs who need their specialized skills.
In addition to my self-paced programs, I also work one-on-one with motivated mamas who want to get their businesses up and running fast. My talks on freelancing, building a business and making over your mindset, and other relevant topics resonate with women around the world via my thriving community of tens of thousands of women on Facebook and my new YouTube channel.
I believe what makes me stand out is that I practice what I preach. I am a product of my own business and brand, openly sharing my own story — along with plenty of practical advice for anyone looking to leave the 9-5 behind and make a real living from home.
I’m most proud of the women I serve. So much so that I travel around the country to get to meet them in person and hear about their own journey. In this digital, fast-paced world, it makes me feel more connected to them and to my own mission.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Hiring my business coach is the scariest decision I’ve ever made. And it changed my life.
I invested the money I didn’t have (read: credit card) to work with this woman because I knew in my gut that she would be the person to help me create an online business that helped tens of thousands of women. Since then, I’ve been a part of two other coaching programs and here’s what worked well for me:
First, hire someone who has already achieved the goal in front of you. This may seem obvious, but there are a lot of people out there who are coaches or mentors and they may know a lot of great strategies and have wonderful advice, but there is something special about walking the walk.
Second, make sure they’re “your person” on a personal level. This is a chemistry thing. Do they understand how you tick? Would you want to be friends with this person? Make sure they get you well enough so they know when to push you, when to let up and when to cheer you on.
Finally, when it comes to networking in general, become known for something. I teach what I call a “power pitch” which is a one-sentence statement about who you help and what you help them with. The more people know what you do, the more they can connect you with the people you’re meant to serve. When you meet others, make sure you give more than you take. Don’t approach others with a “what can they do for me” attitude. Come from a place of service, and give freely of your time and energy to the people you want in your circle. I promise you it comes back ten-fold.
Contact Info:
- Website: thefreemama.com
- Email: hello@thefreemama.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/laurengoldenfreemama
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenGoldenFreeMama/
- Twitter: https://www.youtube.com/c/LaurenGoldenfreemama
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Free-Mama-Control-Schedule-Money/dp/1513626418/
Image Credit:
Leslie Anderson, Mama Bear Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
