this is lauralece 827
This story picks up the day after I graduated from Auburn on May 6, 2018. I had an amazing internship and apprenticeship in Nashville, Tennessee, at redpepper, an advertising agency. What an experience living in another city for three months, stepping out of my comfort zone, and meeting new people! Before I knew it, my time there ended, and I had no permanent offers. I was discouraged to have to leave redpepper and move back home.
Soon after in October 2018 I accepted a position with a small Marketing firm in Auburn, Alabama. Although discouraged at how my job search had turned out, I was so eager and excited to start this new position in Auburn. A month into my new job, I made the decision to resign. I was returning yet again to my hometown, even more discouraged and defeated. The life had been sucked out of me. My big dreams and ambitions had been ripped right out of my hands. I had thoughts of hopelessness that I wasn’t smart or creative enough. I questioned God daily on my PR and Marketing degree.
Once I was back home, God and I started restoring and renewing what I had been stripped of. Not being easily defeated, I began applying for every job that crossed my path. I found myself in a season where fear, doubt, the unknown and rejection tried to take place in my heart and soul. A season that was filled with job application after job application, interview after interview and no after no. Rejection tried to define me.
I battled constantly with the enemy attacking my mind, my thoughts and even my relationships. After the new year, I prayed and fasted for God to lead me and guide me. Yet, even when my dad mentioned to me, “What if you start your own business,” I resisted. The beginning of February, I became the part-time PR and marketing manager with Kimberly Smith Events in Dothan, Alabama. I had found a place where my opinions mattered, my thoughts were heard, my ideas were received as phenomenal and my guidance was needed. God used this opportunity to instill in me once more the confidence I had lost. Also, I returned to Nashville to help a wedding planner. Nevertheless, I still could not let go the thought of what my dad had said.
Throughout the months of January and February 2019, I prayed on what my purpose was supposed to be. Through prayer and fasting, I learned if it’s not God’s time, you can’t force it. Likewise, when it is God’s time, you can’t stop it. I had been frustrated, anxious, doubtful, you name it, I experienced it. I wondered, “God, did you really say this?” “God, are you really gonna come through?” “God, did you mean this?” I knew Him so I knew it. I knew He could and would. I started to believe He would. I chose faith. No matter what I felt, even in my doubt and insecurities, I chose faith. I didn’t see a way, but with God, I believed there was a way. I chose to do it. I decided to start a new venture, lauralece 827.
If you know me then you know I love a good and meaningful heart tug. So, naturally building and naming my business was something I didn’t take lightly. There had to be purpose, passion, life, and love. Combining Lauren’s first name and my middle name, I created lauralece and used our birthdays to form the number. After all my asking, seeking, and praying, my heavenly Father led me to Romans 8:27 which says, “And God, who sees into our hearts, knows what the thought of the Spirit is; because the Spirit pleads with God on behalf of his people and in accordance with his will.” His words were and continue to be my affirmation. He knows my heart and has created in me the desires to be an entrepreneur, to have a passion for creating, to love people, to want to hear stories, to be a writer, and to create a legacy for Lauren–all through the outlet of lauralece 827.
Looking back, God’s hand was in and over my business the entire time. I didn’t and still don’t understand, but I believe with everything my God is still good. I know this because I have seen Him move through the death of Lauren, through heartbreak, through rejection, through confusion, through fear and through the unknown. Losing Lauren taught me my God is my strength and he does heal the brokenhearted. He is still here today, and because I allowed Him to make the calls, He and (my family) are the reason lauralece 827 is here today.