Lauren Crowder shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Lauren, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
In the past I was guilty of modeling my goals as a creator after other people which led to a lot of comparison and moving inauthentically. I’ve recently realized that I can define what my path as a creator will be so that I can put my energy towards what truly matters most to me, and I believe that will help me even more in attracting the right opportunities and audience.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a Kansas City transplant who was raised in Fort Worth, but really set my roots in KC and fallen in love with the community here. My day-to-day life is being a stay-at-home mom to 7 and 4 year old boys, but I’ve always felt the need to fill my creative cup which led me to creating Bread and Kale Enthusiast. My story started out like a lot of my peers in the sense that I wanted to become a social media influencer and food blogger at a time when the OG’s were really standing out and a lot of people were trying to follow that wave. I started with my Instagram @breadandkaleenthusiast and a website. It’s taken me a while to realize that what makes me unique is my drive to be truly authentic. If it doesn’t feel aligned, even if its a great opportunity, I would rather pass than force anything. I want to make content for local brands that align with my interests while also sharing lifestyle content that speaks to my audience of millennial women. I’m still operating my Instagram, but I’ve transitioned my website over to Substack where I’m feeling more creative pull and freedom. Anyone who loves honest motherhood, really good food, thoughtful consumerism (emphasis on supporting local), and trying to find the humor in it all is after my own heart and would hopefully enjoy what I’m putting out into the world.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I think this would have to be my husband, Taylor. We started dating when I was about to turn 19 so we’ve really grown into adulthood together. Even in moments that I doubted my potential, or path he was always there to see the best within me.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
During the first couple of years doing Bread and Kale Enthusiast I definitely fell into the comparison trap which can be discouraging enough to quit sometimes. It really took realizing that I shouldn’t try to emulate anyone else’s style, or path because it will only feel genuinely fulfilling if I am staying true to myself. I now choose to define my success instead of allowing it to be controlled by outward opinions.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think the creator industry has become so fixated on metrics that it takes away from the genuine connections that should be built. I would rather have less followers or likes, but know that each one of my follows or comments on a post are from someone I’ve authentically connected with. It could take me the next 10 years to hit 10,000 followers, but I’ll know that each one is a real person who hopefully benefits from being a part of my community.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
I feel truly giddy whenever a brand, especially a local Kansas City one, reaches out organically to work together. Supporting local brands is what really fulfills me the most with content creation, and it is always such a honor to have one recognize my efforts then want to collaborate.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breadandkaleenthusiast/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breadandkaleenthusiast
- Other: https://substack.com/@breadandkaleenthusiast
