Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauryn Hock.
Hi Lauryn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started blogging in the winter of 2013 (back when I was in college) when I was bedridden because of a talonavicular joint fusion surgery on my foot. During that time, I was looking for something to keep me occupied during the winter break spent recovering in bed. It was then that I began my blog, but I mainly posted DIY beauty and tidbits about dating my now-husband. After recovering enough that I could stand, I began to incorporate more outfits of the day on my blogposts.
When Lauryncakes.com began, I was a junior in college going to school for two teaching degrees. I graduated in 2015, starting a teaching career later that summer. For four years, I ran my blog as a side hustle (it had evolved to include fashion and travel at this point), while also teaching full time as a special education teacher in a high school setting. Eventually, I was burnt out working in a high-needs field, also teaching at a low-income school, and decided to pause my teaching career to pursue blogging and marketing full time!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No story is a good story without struggles! Along the way, I have dealt with getting many, many proposal rejections, unsavory comments from online (and in real life) bullies, taking a self-taught and often longer approach to learning the ways of my business, and a lot of personal obstacles that lead to my growth. Ultimately, the journey has taken a winding, and sometimes bumpy, road, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything because it has molded me into a stronger person.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve always been a huge advocate for women empowerment. It comes from growing up and feeling like I was on the outside looking in. I never felt like I fit the standards of fashion, beauty, friendship, entrepreneurship, etc.
As my blog, Lauryncakes, grew, I decided to make a space for women where they have a voice and where they can continue to strengthen it. My goal is to help womxn find their confidence, even if they don’t fit into specific boxes that society deems “the ideal woman”. Everyone is welcome in the Lauryncakes community, but I connect the most with women, who like me, had to dig deep to understand that beauty is more than skin deep– it’s in the way you treat people, how you love yourself, and about always being open to learning more.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I guess you could say that I lucked out in being taught the value of hard work, to dream big, to be inclusive and kind, and to never turn opportunities down. Luck for me is about always shooting my shot and eventually getting a ball in a basket. For every yes, there are at least nine other nos. You don’t find luck, you make it!
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@lauryncakes.com
- Website: www.lauryncakes.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lauryncakes
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/lauryncakes
- Other:tiktok.com/@lauryncakes
