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

Hi Lauren, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have been involved in Marketing related activities since high school. During both undergrad and graduate schools, I majored & minored in Marketing which sharpened my skills and grew my passion in the field. Working in retail, I got a front row seat to how big brands market their products and services. That created the thought that I wish there was a way small businesses could implement these same techniques to grow their businesses. That is how the Marketing Consulting was started. The Event Styling side of my business came from my love of hosting and seeing my guests’ reactions when I would put an event together!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When it comes to being a creative, what I have learned is to just be yourself. Do things that make you feel good and that you can look back on and be proud of. THAT is what sets you apart. I know in this social media age, it’s so easy to look at what others are doing and compare ourselves. I tend to gather inspiration from documentaries and magazines; timeless pieces. That is what I convey to my clients as well. Market yourself and your brand in a way that is authentically you; don’t try to keep up with trends. (I hate trends honestly). I’m an extrovert so meeting people and making friends came natural to me which has benefitted me greatly. Most of the clients I have worked with either knew me directly or knew someone I was connected to. Social media marketing is great but nothing beats word of mouth!

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?
I would like to shoutout my sister, Kris Keys, who is also a creative. She is a Fashion Illustrator and Designer; mimicking the things she did as a child is what developed my passion for fashion & art. I have an amazing tribe of family and friends who have supported all of my endeavors. I would also like to thank my client, Jasmine Williams of JW Desserts, who was recently featured and nominated me!

Website: ellevatedconcepts.com

Instagram: @ellevatedconcepts

Facebook: Ellevated Concepts + Solutions

Image Credits
Noah Stewart (@shotontheblock)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.