Meet Trailblazer Lauren Bridges

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Bridges.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in a small town in GA, and always dreamed of moving far away and pursuing my love for fashion, It always seemed like a dream, and something I’d never achieve. I put my dream on the back burner for a while and went to college, where I received two degrees. One in Sociology, and the other in Paralegal. While going to college, I waited tables and managed a boutique. It became exhausting at times. For the last three years, I’ve wanted to move to Colorado, and I made it my goal last year to save up and go for my dreams. I just recently moved to Fort Collins two months ago and it was the greatest decision of my life! The happiness I feel is unreal! I am now learning how to build the business and working towards my dream of owning my own boutique.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When starting your journey, it’s important to write down your goals and dreams, This helps you stay focused and on the road to success, Dream boards are also a great way to remind yourself to not give up. When things get tough, remember that you didn’t come this far to give up. Reward yourself when reaching goals that you set for yourself, this helps build self-love I like to say! Last year, I treated myself to traveling all across the country. It was amazing. It’s also super important to surround yourself with people who support your goals. It’s nice to have people to talk to and guide you along your journey! Bad days will happen, but remember your worth and how far you’ve come. God’s got you!

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I got the wonderful opportunity to work as a stylist and manager at Rustic Thread Boutique in Fort Collins. I spend my time styling women and making them feel beautiful! We are a California meets Colorado clothing boutique, and I love my job. I am also an Instagram influencer on the side as well. I strive to empower women through my platform with my witty anti-guy captions and self-love posts. I feature everything from fitness and travel, all the way to fashion. One thing I take pride in about my page is the fact it’s very genuine, I don’t feature things that I don’t truly like and I also don’t edit my body. Companies that support good causes are always super fun to work with. I’m always looking to give back. Between managing the boutique and working through Instagram, I stay pretty busy, It’s just super important for me to stress to young ladies to be their own boss and work towards their dreams!

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’ve learned that just talking to people who are successful helps you with your journey. Learning their story and asking questions can help you a lot. I believe in surrounding yourself with like-minded people so that success is always around you. Don’t be scared to ask for advice or constructive criticism- because this helps you improve yourself and only get better at what you’re doing. One day, you may be able to help someone who has questions or needs guidance. It’s a wonderful feeling!

Contact Info:

• Email: laurenbridges26@gmail.com
• Instagram: laurenevebridges

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