VENTEUR spoke with Lauren Boyd, who started her legal career leading negotiations for a Fortune 100 technology company before founding her law firm, Guide My Business, about her entrepreneurial journey. After working with hundreds of companies of different sizes, one thing remained the same–the ability to curate culture and empower senior leaders to foster resilience in a simplified way.
Quinn is Boyd’s the team management solution that ignites your org chart, team assessments, and SOPs to foster frictionless growth. She is driven by her passion for making an influence at every level actionable at the heart of all she does.
I have learned the value of progress over completion. After years as a founder, I realized that my vision would naturally evolve, so the idea of having everything perfect was a never-ending (exhausting) pursuit. Now I allow my progress to pace the evolution and remain open to possibilities.
It can be easy as an entrepreneur, especially when you are bootstrapping your venture, to believe that doing everything yourself will save you money. Instead, I realized that my profit increased when I stayed in my lane and invited others in on my journey. Not only was not doing business alone more profitable, but it was also vastly more rewarding. If we want to think about connection through the lens of investment, both time and money, the return on investment in each relationship has always paid off.
Intuition is hands down the number one reason for my success. I have even noticed when I have resistance to the path that my intuition may be leading me down. Unfortunately, life has a way of making the sign increasingly apparent the longer I resist. Most recently, I was forced to make a tough decision that I knew deep down was needed for months. When I finally took action the next day, the source of my initial resistance was answered.
I believe there are seasons in life and business where we must lean in one direction more than others, but I tend not to feel content with too much of the same, so no season lasts too long. Furthermore, I always define my current boundaries and implement tools to enforce them to ensure no season gets too out of balance. Lastly, I believe that my commitment to both personal and professional growth allows me to grow to meet the demands of each level, even if it feels daunting at first.
Video response by Alexis Haselberger, Time Management and Productivity Coach
I thought I had to have it all figured out by myself and that all my decisions were forever. The answer to all three of my mistakes was embracing evolution. Evolution of myself and my business. I am not the same person I was when I launched my law firm, and the world isn't. I am very humbled by the level of perfection I thought I was trying to achieve.
First, systems. It's ideal if you have a plan for anytime you or your team does more than one. It's a win if you can build a strategy around it the first time. Second, systems and documentation are living–meaning they should be seen as something that is dynamic and will evolve as your business does. Lastly, your team makes your business possible, even if your team right now is a supportive spouse, friend, or local barista–be sure to recognize them accordingly.
I believe it's less about facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles and more about facing our daily doubts. When I think of quitting corporate law to bootstrap my law firm, navigating maternity as a founder (and employer), followed by starting a software company, while each felt insurmountable, they were catalysts for immeasurable growth beyond what I thought was possible.
Be unapologetic about your boundaries, especially since no one can honor the boundaries you aren't willing to communicate or enforce. I have found over time that some boundaries have become a signature of mine, while others serve me in a season.
Even if we are unprepared for the lesson, one day that experience will serve a purpose.
Life is too short to do what you think others expect from you when in reality, they probably think of you very infrequently, but when they do, don't you want it to be in awe because you lived full out?
Free yourself to focus on the parts of your life (and business) that make your heart content or race with excitement.
I think there is a learning curve to the understanding we are in the driver's seat and just how limitless the opportunities are. First, we must evaluate as early entrepreneurs how we are modeling corporate norms, then intentionally set new standards for ourselves, which will often take a bit to sink in.
