Meet Lawrence Hines | Branding and Marketing Consultant, Mental Health Advocate and Author

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

Hi Lawrence, how do you think about risk?
In my life when hesitation was steep in fear to take a risk to better my life, the thought of removing myself from groups of people that I thought I needed to be around to go to the next level in my life or career, at time’s anxiety would paralyze me from doing so. If anyone would have told me that I would end up leaving a place of employment that I thought it was a dream job, moving to an entirely different city and state (the Concrete Jungle, NYC), and going to therapy for depression. I would have looked at them like someone talking about a fairytale. When I took a risk to challenge the failure of “what if”, my life has turned out better than I could ever imagine.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am currently a Marketing and Branding Consultant, Mental Health Advocate, and Author, though it has not been an easy journey the journey has definitely been worth it. Born and raised in Dallas, TX, where I was introduced to the Marketing industry by happenstance after graduating from high school. At the age of 30, upon my first visit to NYC, I decided that I needed to relocate to NYC. Not only to take my marketing experience to the next level but, also to pursue my own marketing firm. Before moving to NYC I worked for the Dallas Mavericks and struggled with leaving, also even though no one knew but I was also struggling with depression. About 6 months after moving to NYC, I started going to therapy for the first time in my life. Due to the challenges of my life started to become too much for me to handle on my own. Since being in therapy for the last 8 years, I have been able to start my own consulting business, along with becoming a mental health advocate, and I just finished my first book on dealing with the negativity of religion, black culture, and stigmas from society.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The first thing I would explain to my best friend is they have 2 days to be tourists. On the 3rd day, we would ride the NJ Transit (train) to Downtown New Jersey for lunch at Dinosaurs BBQ, then we would take a short train ride over to Newport Centre Mall located in Jersey City, NJ (they always have some amazing deals and it’s tax-free). We would then head back to my place to refresh, change clothes, and head to a rooftop for drinks and dinner along with some bar and lounge hopping. On the 4th day, we would walk the Brooklyn Bridge, then have lunch in Dumbo, Brooklyn, take a boat ride around the city then back to my place to change and refresh. After we change and refresh we would have dinner at Zona De Cuba (Bronx,NY). After dinner head back to Brooklyn to a friend’s private rooftop kickback. On the 5th day, which would probably be “Sunday Funday”. I would cook them a nice Sunday morning breakfast, laugh, and talk about the past days while figuring out what we are going to wear to brunch and most of Sunday Funday. For brunch, we would go to Tavern Rooftop, after brunch we would head over to The Standard, Highline (rooftop, amazing views of the city). Then we would head back up to Harlem to Harlem Hookah, after Harlem Hookah back to my place for a quick refresher and outfit change to head to a Caribbean house party in Brooklyn to wrap up Sunday Funday.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to give a shout-out to is my best friend and dad. If it wasn’t for the love, understanding, and encouragement of my dad I would not be alive. My childhood was overwhelmingly challenging at times. At one point when I was ready to commit suicide, a conversation that my dad had with me eased the rage, hurt, and disappointment that

Instagram: @Lawrencehnyc

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

Twitter: @Lawrencehnyc

Other: Brand: @IsayIamMindset (owner)