Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Steele.
Hi Lori, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in South Florida as an only child with two incredible parents who made me believe I could be anything I wanted to be – and they backed it up too, encouraging me through all the wonky steps along the way to where I am now! I set my sights on Florida State University, where I ended up choosing Marketing in the Business School as my major and Communication and Psychology as minors. I always had this vision of being the NYC career woman, but Carrie Bradshaw style. Well, I got my chance to taste that life Junior year in college and landed the dream job “a million girls would kill for”. No, it wasn’t working for Anna Wintour, but close – I landed an internship in Macy’s Herald Square in the buying department, very Rachel Green. But once I arrived in the Big Apple, the bright lights of the city faded quickly as did what I thought being a Buyer would be like – it wasn’t quite all fashion shows and shopping for designer labels. So I switched gears and went for a broader marketing degree. Yet I am still so grateful to have had that firsthand experience and the chance to have tried that life/career on for size. I’d love to say I quickly fell right into where I am now – building full-scale marketing programs and helping businesses build their brand – but how many of us are lucky enough to find their sweet spot right out of college? I’ve had many passions that have influenced the path I am still on. The learning and growing doesn’t stop in my field, fortunately! When I graduated in 2005 the world was just starting to conduct business on the web and social media was just emerging as a marketing tool for companies – primarily in the B2B space, and primarily on Twitter. I like to say I grew up in the industry because when I graduated, the world of marketing was 2 parts traditional (billboards, magazines, mailers) and 1 part digital (eCommerce, websites, and social media). So, I tried several things on for size over the years, working for megacorps to small startups – moving across the country quickly after graduation for a relationship (I know, a tale as old as time), gained event planning experience, and then moved back when said relationship (spoiler alert) ended. However, all of the amazing people I’ve met during my different professional experiences gave me a chance to hone in on my passions, which are three-fold: content strategy, event planning, and philanthropy. And I have been blessed to do both here in town with an amazing organization called Seedling. This is when I first started my consulting business. What started as a purely philanthropic event led me to partner with this amazing organization and get my feet wet with independent consulting. And while consulting is just a small part of what I do professionally now, it is wonderful to have such a wide variety of experience in all aspects of marketing that allows me to quickly help companies of all sizes with various marketing goals and initiatives once they bring me on board. It is very rewarding to simplify what often seems complex and overwhelming when I meet business owners who know that they need a marketing plan but don’t know where to get started. I draw on all of my unique experiences and the variety of public, private, and non-profit organizations I’ve worked with over the years to craft recommendations to help those businesses succeed.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think I have been very lucky to have worked with so many types of organizations and people over the years, but it definitely has not been smooth sailing. I have survived multiple layoffs, multiple moves (Florida, New Mexico, Austin), and most recently my best friend passing away in 2019 (my mother) the same year that I got married. Follow that immediately with the global pandemic and yet another layoff. But somehow, I always seem to land on my feet – and amazingly somehow better off from where I tumbled from. I remind myself that the one constant is change. So when things are really good, enjoy it! Because that will change too. I lean a lot on the strong community of women I’ve befriended in Austin. They are truly an inspiration and the best hype-squad around. Living in Austin has opened my mind to how to maintain balance when the inevitable struggles of life are knocking on your door. And fortunately, during one of the worst times of my life (the slow yet quick passing of my mother in 2019), it was also the best time of my life. This same year I married the person who gives me strength and support each day, and believes in me just as she did. So I feel very blessed even when the job or other personal losses inevitably come along.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My specialty is content strategy and planning events (both personally and professionally). I think my quick wit and creative nature quickly make working with me both fun and productive – this is what I am told sets me apart. I mean, it is marketing – it should be fun! So I come packing a highly organized and detailed creative plan while saving room for fun and whimsy wherever I can. I’m the person who does what she says she is going to do so I think that helps me earn trust quickly with colleagues and clients. I have high expectations for myself (and often others), so that can be a double-edged sword. But I think that sense of pride elevates the level of professionalism I deliver both in and out of the boardroom.
Any big plans?
So, yes – big, BIG plans. I am almost 8 months pregnant at the time of writing! This is my first child, so while transitioning jobs once again, I am also getting a nursery ready, planning for the holidays, and figuring out what my professional life will look like on the other side (sometime in February or March). I do look forward to continuing my career and finding that balance between being the best mom I can be and maintaining my individuality and passions. Like I mentioned, I have a wonderful support system – and, fortunately, a husband who is an old pro with fatherhood (this isn’t his first rodeo). So I really think I will be able to achieve both – career woman and super mom – with minimal obstacles. But maybe that is my naivety showing. I’m not saying it will be easy! I don’t have blinders on when it comes to that – but I feel confident at this point that “I’ve got this”.
