Meet Layne Pratt of On the Agenda

Today we’d like to introduce you to Layne Pratt.

Layne, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The idea to launch On the Agenda came to me at an unusual time: as I was rocking my one-year-old to sleep for an afternoon nap. It was a particularly warm day in the middle of April earlier this year, about a month into the COVID crisis. The idea took me by total surprise at first. To be honest, I never planned to start my own business; I assumed I would always work a traditional 9-5 job. I loved my career and fully expected that I would work full-time until I retired (and when you are as “Type-A” as I am, a plan is a plan!).

Then COVID hit. I found myself juggling a demanding, full-time job while also trying to watch my very young children. While there were certainly days when being both a full-time mom and full-time employee felt impossible (my children joined me for more Zoom calls than I can count!), I was also – quite unexpectedly – overwhelmed by how much joy I found in spending the entire day with my children.

For the first time in a long time, I was there for every little moment! Every new discovery, picked flower, scraped knee, and snuggle. As the weeks turned into months, I knew I could never go back to a 9-5 job. I knew I was meant to spend my days with my babies, at least while they were young.

And thankfully, I also knew I had valuable skills and experience that I could offer as a business owner. It took less than a week to decide to leave my job and launch “On the Agenda,” and that decision has been one of the most terrifying, precious and transformative decisions of my lifetime. I now run a thriving business doing work I enjoy for clients I adore, and I spend my days enjoying the simple things in life with the little people who have my whole heart. I am thankful.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
“Nothing worth doing is easy.” It’s a phrase we’ve likely all heard so many times that it has lost some meaning, but the truth in that statement hit me like a freight train when I decided to abandon my stable, comfortable salary and venture out on my own. I worried about if I had the physical, mental and emotional energy required to be a mother, a wife, and a business owner all at once. I worried if I would find clients. I worried if I would keep clients. I worried if I’d make enough money to cover our budget every month.

If you haven’t caught on yet, I’m basically a professional worrier. It’s one of my most authentic personality traits (for better or worse!), and there were a handful of hard days when my worries felt all-consuming. Thankfully, along with all that worry, God also gifted me with a heck of a lot of perseverance. I knew that I had decided to take this risk because it was best for me AND my family, and that I had the skills and experience I needed to be successful. I’ve been reminded through this process that sometimes (a lot of the time, actually), the “right” thing and the “hard” thing are the same.

Beyond my own “stick-to-it-ness,” (which on its own would have never been enough to make this work), I am blessed by an incredible community of support that has lifted me up and helped make this new path possible. My husband has been my biggest cheerleader from day one and has worked with me to develop a totally new schedule for our family, with him pulling extra weight in certain areas. I’ve encountered countless professionals, many of them other moms like me, who have been generous with their time, wisdom, and advice. I know each person was put on my path for a reason — to help show me the way forward. I owe so much of what On the Agenda has become to them. You each know who you are.

On the Agenda – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
If you’re like me, you believe that how we spend time – whether it be in a training or professional development session, around a boardroom table, or during a strategy session – speaks volumes about who we are, what we value, and ultimately, how successful we will be as leaders (and as human beings).

With this concept at its core, I founded On the Agenda to provide my clients with high-impact training and meeting design to help them increase organizational productivity, inspire and engage their people, and drive toward better outcomes.

My work is highly specialized for each client, but often includes the design of professional development sessions, training opportunities (online courses, e-books, webinars, etc.), board meetings, strategy sessions, retreats, or workshops. I also do a fair amount of content creation for my clients given my background in business and journalism.

On the Agenda is unique in that it was founded on a set of core values that I hope to see reflected more broadly in the world. I am committed to delivering outstanding work, putting people first, operating with transparency, and cultivating a culture of collaboration.

These values help shape the brand’s unique identity and serve as a compass to guide every action and decision. They set a clear vision for how I do business – in big and small ways – even (and especially when!) when no one is watching. Ultimately, these Core Values serve as my most sincere promise to my clients, and I hope they see them shine through in our work together.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
In order to define success, you have to know yourself and your values. Success looks different for each person, and your own definition of success should reflect your greatest aspirations, strengths, and dreams — without limits!

For me, success looks like a life lived authentically and in alignment with my values. One of the best parts of running On the Agenda is that the brand is so deeply authentic to who I am, and in turn, who my clients are. I can’t say often enough how much I adore my clients; they are truly some of the most inspiring people I know. It is a blessing to partner with like-minded individuals who are passionate about their work, and eager to “dream big” with me about how we can use our expertise to make the world a better place for everyone. What could be better?!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ontheagendallc.com
• Phone: 614-579-1217
• Email: layne@ontheagendallc.com

Image Credit:
Erin Murray, Parker Cruz Photography

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