We recently had the chance to connect with Laci O’Reilly and have shared our conversation below.
Laci, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I wake up with my 2 year old, fix her breakfast and wake up my 10 year old for school. After coffee and breakfast I sit down at my computer for some content creation. I spend about 2 hours editing video, creating digital graphics and editing pictures for the various companies I do content creation and social media management for. When my daughter goes down for her nap I use that to me to record video for my personal social channels. I do book recommendations and reviews, and general book related content. I also have a cooking channel which is convenient since I make 2-3 meals every per day.
After I have recorded my son usually returns from school we all have a snack together. We play with the 2 year old, or read. They will watch a show together while I cook dinner, we eat together as a family, read, play a game or watch a movies after dinner till the kids go to bed. Then I will finish up any final touches and schedule any content that didn’t get done earlier in the day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Laci, I have a masters degree in digital marketing and I do marketing consulting, social media management, and brand guidance in Denver. I do not own a marketing firm, nor do I want to. I think having in house marketing is better for every company. But not every company can afford an in house team. However, on the opposite end of that sometimes marketing firms have so many clients in so many niches that brands don’t get the same level of dedication and research. So I act as an in house marketer for a few select clients at a time. My time is precious so having the ability to balance my home life and work life is important to me.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was pretty much who I am now. It took me a long time to get back to this. But I think my 13 year old self would be proud. I strived to not care what other people thought of me. I was a little weird, a little witchy, a little unhinged and crazy! Then I was made to get a job “grow up” and leave childish pursuits behind. And acknowledge that other people’s opinions about me mattered. It was a dark time. But then in my mid 20’s once I was a mom, people appreciated that I was a little weird. And I learned that by being myself, I would actually attract the people that are like me, and appreciate me. So it’s not so much that I don’t care what others think, but I only listen to the ones that support me for me!
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
That I was strong enough to get through anything. I have lived below the poverty line, where we didn’t know where our next meal would come from, going to the food bank every week to get through. In a relationship where he valued himself and the things he wanted more than things like making sure the rent was paid. I struggled leaving that situation, moving home with my parents as a single parent. Going to college as a single mom while working full time to give my son a better life. Learning to value myself and my time in a way I never had before. Getting out of debt. And meeting my husband who supports me and makes me feel like a super hero. To now having the ability to have a work life balance. Suffering taught me I can do anything, and that my time is precious.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends and family. I am fiercely loyal and if I consider you part of my circle I would do just about anything for you. Even to my detriment.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people talk about how wild I was. That it seemed like I wasn’t afraid of anything. And if someone needed their spirits lifted or wanted to have a fun adventure I was who they called.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/book_lor?igsh=MTN1aml1NDN0bWJ5NA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laci-oreilly?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@book_lor?si=Sah6nGlPApnRmGnH
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@book_lor?_t=ZP-90JIOUrxSb1&_r=1
https://www.tiktok.com/@wayward.witch.kitchen?_t=ZP-90JIQOFMnJ1&_r=1
Image Credits
I took th se various photos, they are various props, for my personal channels, action shots for the bar I do SMM for, and a photo of my computer with a graphic I created.
