Ep.43 Small Town Roots and Big Dreams: Julie’s Blueprint for Growth and Giving Back

1/ Meet Julie Laperouse – keynote speaker, corporate trainer, founder of Screaming Peacock, and living proof that betting on yourself CAN pay off. Her story? Packed with courage, imposter syndrome, hilarious detours, and Cajun spirit.👇2/ Julie grew up in Jennings, LA, raised by a hardware salesman dad & a teacher mom. Building furniture with her dad, inspired by her mom’s impact – you could say making things & teaching people run deep in her DNA.3/ Her first hustle? Babysitting (turns out, she only REALLY likes her kids 😉). But at just 14, she was ALSO a COUNTRY RADIO HOST in a red barn, thanks to a small-town millionaire who…get this…left his fortune to the radio station. Schitt’s Creek vibes, anyone?4/ Legendary moment: Before leaving for LSU, a local entrepreneur told Julie, “If I could buy shares in people, I’d buy 1,000 shares of Julie Guidry.” That belief stuck. Sometimes you need someone outside your family to tell you: “I SEE YOU. I’d bet on you.”5/ But let’s get real: The whole “bet on yourself” thing isn’t always easy. Julie wrestled with a “scarcity mentality” around money – raised in a classic 80s/90s home where hard work was king but money was tight.6/ Taking risks? Oh, she did. Julie & her husband moved to a city where they knew ZERO people, bought a failing business in an industry they didn’t know, AND got married—all at the same time. “We were unconsciously incompetent – didn’t even know what we didn’t know!”7/ That muddy period saw them driving forklifts & patching warehouse roofs themselves, learning the pressure of being at the top. Payroll on personal credit cards, absolutely praying things would work out. Spoiler: They DID.8/ Fast-forward: Julie’s path included consulting, chamber of commerce work, running major projects, and raising four daughters. Each pivot came with doubts: “Am I qualified? Do I belong?” Helloooo, imposter syndrome.9/ What helped? COMMUNITY. Julie says her success is thanks to the “personal board of directors” around her – her husband, mentors, colleagues – who repeatedly said: “Julie, I’d bet on you. Why aren’t you betting on yourself?”10/ Sometimes you need coaches, not just cheerleaders or critics. People who’ll say: “What’s the actual roadblock? Let’s plan for worst case & see if it’s really THAT bad.” #EntrepreneurMindset11/ Since going full-time with Screaming Peacock, Julie’s realized: entrepreneurship = doing EVERYTHING, not just the fun parts. Booking, delivering, marketing, planning. “I looked at the whole sales cycle & realized: I AM the whole circle!”12/ Cheat code? When in doubt, Julie picks up the phone, talks to her network, asks for opportunities – and the pipeline fills. Remember: You have more jurisdiction over your path than you think!13/ On generosity: Julie models micro-acts of giving, teaches her kids to be good humans, and believes in purpose “glimmers.” Sometimes your purpose isn’t one grand thing – it’s those small moments of kindness.14/ Her advice to younger self? “No one is better than you.” Imposter syndrome? It NEVER really goes away, but now she names it, owns it, and moves past it. Inner doubts = normal. Don’t let them run the show.15/ Final life lesson: If you can’t find your grand purpose, seek glimmers of purpose in everyday moments—a smile, a check-in, a helping hand. Little things DO matter.16/ Where’s Julie headed? Training locally, speaking nationally, making an impact with her new Training To Go series. Most importantly: showing her daughters you can build a wild, imperfect, fulfilling life if you bet on yourself.17/ If you needed a reminder today: Bet on yourself. Find your people. Seek purpose glimmers. And maybe, be a bit more of a Screaming Peacock. 🦚💥— If this inspired you, SHARE & TAG someone who needs a nudge to bet on themselves!#Entrepreneurship #Purpose #Leadership #WomenInBusiness #BetOnYourself #RealTalk