Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Ward.
Hi Laura, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m a lover of home decor especially handmade & grew up attending outdoor markets & roaming the local thrift shops. I have wanted to start my own business for a long time & once my daughter was more independent, I wanted to have the kind of business that she could be a part of & work alongside me as she got older. We were already shopping the local markets & thrift shops, so why not have my business be curating handmade decor? I moved back to the Austin area after a 25-year absence & began exploring the “city” it has become while returning to areas that made it such a desirable place for different types of creative people. It has been easy to find the products I sell because of the abundance of talent in the city. What I sell appeals to most people of all ages & can be found in many of our homes. They are truly one-of-a-kind & make special gifts because they are not massed produced but made by small-batch makers with interesting stories. I am currently a moving pop-up shop selling in Austin, Greater Austin & Dripping Springs. You can find me at breweries, distilleries, coffee gardens, local markets, wineries, co-working spaces & private events.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road & the pandemic shut me down for a big portion of 2020. My pop-up shop is a moving brick & mortar. I take it to different locations such as breweries, distilleries, co-working spaces, etc. & sell to their customers for the day. I break it down & start all over again at another location. It’s grueling physically & there are many unknowns once I am set up & ready to start the day. Did the venue promote the event, will weather be a factor, will people show, will they shop? I’m walking into so many unknowns.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My former profession before I had my daughter, Audrey was in social work. I was a children’s caseworker in a domestic violence shelter for families & also worked in a residential facility with children who have either been permanently removed from their families or born into the foster care. I had the opportunity to also work with children on the autism spectrum in the public school system.
As for my current business, Laudrey Rose is one of the only small moving pop-up shops of its kind in the area. I work alongside actual makers at the events where I pop-up. I am a Curator. I don’t make the products I sell. I specifically search for the type of products I am looking to sell, then purchase wholesale from the maker. I sell them under my brand, Laudrey Rose. I always give credit where credit is due & that is to the makers. I love to discuss the handmade process of each of the products with my customers. There are also several products I sell that have been customized by the maker specifically for Laudrey Rose.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My former husband is an entrepreneur & has been very helpful when I have encountered various hurdles. I also have a local woman in business group that has been excellent support when I have needed help with the mechanics of running a small business. Also, working with other small businesses that pop up beside me at events. I am extremely lucky to work in a world with small business owners who help each other & offer support & encouragement when I need it most. We all look after one another. I live in a neck of the woods that is pro woman, pro woman small business owner & I could not be happier about it. Last but not least, I have such amazing customers who are fun, kind & loyal. As hard as having a small business is, I love going to work & meeting makers, customers & everyone in between. I love my job!
Pricing:
- From $15-$200
Contact Info:
- Email: laudreyrose@outlook.com
- Website: https://linktr.ee/LaudreyRose
- Instagram: laudrey_rose_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laudreyrose/
