SDH 035: Bold is the New Black with Lauren McKeague

It is hard to find a job right out of college, let alone start a business, yet Lauren McKeague defied the odds. Immediately after she graduated Columbia College of Chicago in 2007, she took a leap of faith and created her own clothing company, Pink Slip Boutique. Pink Slip Boutique began as a special occasion dress boutique and blossomed into Ready To Wear, and even accessories, with a goal of dressing women for life’s most special moments. Not only is Lauren the owner, but also the buyer, and helps with the operational work. Lauren has utilized technology to expand her company online as well as use her creative ingenuity at local universities through the Pink Slip University Rep program. TRENDSETTING TOPICS How Lauren left the corporate world to start her own fashion boutique The transition from a brick and mortar business to online The technological tools that help her manage her store Managing her business without a business degree/background Strategies for keeping her creative ideas in check The most amazing part of being a business owner, as well as the hardest part What she reads to inspire creativity BOLD QUOTES: “I knew that corporate America was not going to be my thing and just knew what I really wanted to do.” “I had this idea [of owning my own business], I wanted to do it; I just didn’t really think much about it. In my head there wasn’t ‘this isn’t going to work.’ I just started [my business plan] and went with it.” “I had no idea what I was doing when I started, I was only 24 and failure really wasn’t an option. I don’t know if I was naïve; I wish I could say why I was so disconnected from the enormity of what I was doing at the time.” “For me this is never about the money, it’s about how good I feel after I accomplish something.” “I like to take direction from people who may not be in the field, because it brings in a new aspect.” “I put my energy looking into [inspirational materials] that are a little more timeless, or beautiful to look at. Those are the things that inspire me more than hearing how someone else did something; I like to make my own path.” [Connect with Lauren: Twitter (@pinkslipdresses & @LaurenMichelleM), Instagram (@pinkslipboutique), Website:Pink Slip Boutique,] RESOURCES: Shopify Big Cartel Light Speed The Pink Slip Rep Program The Art and Flair of Mary Blair - Mary Blair Girl Boss - Sophia Amoruso