Lulu Buck shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Lulu, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A “normal” day for me doesn’t really exist for me. Each day feels uniquely full of purpose, joy, and creativity. My days are often a beautiful blend of work, inspiration, and balance, stretching from busy weeks to full, meaningful months. Very few of my days are ever wasted.
Some days take me traveling and exploring new places, while others are rooted in creativity, writing, painting, or dreaming up my next project. I’m most fulfilled when my day feels purposeful, when I’m building toward the future and creating something that will touch others. The days in my career job feel the most normal and predictable. Even there no two days are the same.
The moments I treasure most, though, are those spent with my family, whether it’s a cozy evening at home or a lively gathering filled with laughter and tradition. I’ve learned that “normal” isn’t really part of my vocabulary, and that’s exactly how I like it. Every day is different, and I’m deeply grateful for every moment of this full, lively, and wonderfully unpredictable life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I feel like I’m living two full and incredibly rewarding lives. One is my career as an educator of 27 years, which has given me so much joy, knowledge, and purpose. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats, from teacher, school administrator, district coordinator, and consultant for the Colorado Department of Education. Each role has shaped my perspective, strengthened my skills, and deepened my understanding of how to support students and educators. But what I cherish most are the lifelong relationships I’ve built and the moments when I know I’ve made a real difference in someone’s life. Those connections and impacts are what make this work so meaningful to me. Every great educator knows this feeling; this is why we do it.
My other life is just as fulfilling. I am also a children’s book author and consultant for child-centered environments. I’ve published three books, with many more on the way, and each one is created to spark imagination, nurture empathy, and help children see their own value and uniqueness. Beyond the pages, I work with educators, parents, and caregivers, sharing strategies and tools to create spaces where children can thrive emotionally, socially, and intellectually. This work allows me to combine creativity with purpose in a way that truly fills my soul.
Being an author gives me a chance to extend the lessons and values I’ve created in my educational career to a wider audience. I’m constantly inspired by the children I meet, the families I work with, and the educators who bring these ideas to life in their classrooms. Every book, workshop, or consultation feels like an opportunity to leave a lasting impact and to encourage curiosity, confidence, and compassion. I feel incredibly lucky to live a life where my passions for education and storytelling intersect, where every day is a chance to teach, inspire, and create.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
This is such an interesting question because it invites so much reflection. As a child, I carried two beliefs about myself that I no longer hold. One was that our paths are fixed, that we had to choose early on exactly what we wanted to “be” when we grew up. I remember the pressure and anxiety of those questions, feeling like the decisions I made then would define the rest of my life. But over time, I’ve come to realize that life isn’t about locking ourselves into a single path. I am constantly asking myself that question, “What do I want to become next? This excites me, because there are so many more roles I want to explore, so many skills I want to learn, and so many ways I want to grow. Every day feels like an opportunity to be more than I was yesterday.
The other belief I’ve let go of is the idea that I am “dumb.” Growing up, I was often labeled as not being smart, placed in special classes, and left questioning my own abilities. Those messages could have defined me, but instead, I’ve discovered that I am not only intelligent, but also creative, innovative, and uniquely capable of making ideas and thoughts visible in ways others can understand and feel.
Letting go of these limiting beliefs has been very liberating. I’ve embraced a life of possibility, curiosity, and self-confidence. I now approach each day with the understanding that learning, creating, and growing are lifelong journeys. Every experience, every challenge, every opportunity becomes a chance to expand, to evolve, and to contribute in ways I could never have imagined as a child. The freedom from those old doubts has allowed me to live fully, pursue my passions boldly, and continuously reinvent myself in ways that are deeply meaningful.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Oh, this is a tough but important question. I would have to say that my greatest fear was not being liked, and for many years, it held me back and made life miserable. I wish I had recognized this earlier in my life and career, as it would have spared me a lot of disappointment and stress. No matter how you live your life or what you accomplish, people will always have their opinions and judgments. When I was younger, I was a people-pleaser, constantly running myself ragged to meet the expectations of others, often without boundaries or self-care.
Over time, I learned you have to live your life for yourself. You do not owe loyalty to anyone who does not value, respect, or support you. Embracing this truth has made my life far richer and more meaningful. I am very picky about who I allow into my innermost circle, and only surround myself with people who respect me, challenge me, inspire me, and push me to grow. Those relationships elevate all of us, creating a space where success, joy, and authenticity flourish.
I’ve also learned that harsh or negative judgments from others are rarely about me. They often stem from jealousy, negativity, or a lack of kindness. Choosing to live authentically allows me to attract the people who do the same, and it has brought so much joy to my life. I often share this with students and young audiences during my keynotes: “Hang on to the people who are genuinely happy for you when you succeed, because they are very rare. Live life for you and ignore the negative noise.”
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. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes and no. The people closest to me know the raw, real me and that part of me that’s still working through grief, disappointment, and constantly reinventing herself. That side isn’t bad, it’s just honest and unfiltered, and only a few trusted people get to see it. Every once in a while, a glimpse of that raw me comes out publicly, but usually it’s through my art or writing, where I can express feelings in a way that connects with others.
The public me is a little different, especially for kids. When I’m with them, I need to be their cheerleader and source of inspiration, to put aside anything heavy and just show up fully for them. Kids need encouragement, positivity, and someone who believes in them, and that fully shapes how I present myself in public.
On social media, people usually see the adventurous, joyful, in-the-moment me. My posts reflect when my heart is full, when I feel proud, or when I’m celebrating something in life. It’s still genuine. It’s the part of me that chooses to focus on the joy, share gratitude, and connect with others through positivity and inspiration.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely! I’m actually smiling as you ask this question because the first person who comes to mind is my Dad. He instilled in me a work ethic and integrity, always modeling what it means to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. He pushed me and my siblings to be our best selves and to give our all, not for recognition, but because that’s who we are.
One of the most powerful lessons I learned from him is that we have to praise ourselves for the work we do. We have to take pride in our own efforts and in the dedication we put into everything we pursue. If you can’t look yourself in the mirror and know you gave it your all, then what’s the point? True motivation comes from you, and the only competition that matters is with yourself. You have to be striving to be better than who you were yesterday. This is coming from a man who taught himself English and got through medical school to become a psychiatrist in the United States. He is an incredible and humble man who never seeks praise. I am grateful he has taught me this as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lulubuck.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lulubuckster/
- Linkedin: Lourdes Lulu Buck
- Twitter: @c_lu_lu
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BucksBooksConsulting
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