Creative business owner Laurel Smith had a dream about making jewelry before she even possessed the knowledge or tools to do so. Over the next 14 years that dream grew into the reality that is Laurel Denise today. However, its God-given purpose didn’t become clear to her until years later. Laurel’s story reminds us that understanding your purpose and calling takes time.
In this episode, you’ll learn about how, in that season, she also experienced a shift from achieving to slowing down so she could make space for her calling as a mother. If you’re a mom with a dream, you know that’s not easy. Laurel shares the secret of how she learned to focus her time and energy so she could pursue her creative dream of jewelry making and her passion and calling to motherhood.
IF YOU HAVE EVER WONDERED IF YOU COULD HANDLE MOTHERHOOD AND A DREAM, THIS WAS THE EPISODE FOR YOU.
Laurel Smith is the owner and creative director of Laurel Denise, a shop that creates meaningful, handmade jewelry, home goods and accessories meant to encourage, inspire and remind women of what they cherish most in life. Laurel believes in encouragement over competition and prides herself on selling kind, joyful, and honest products. Laurel started the business in 2005 and now employs four women in her studio and a few local moms in her town to help create some of the handmade jewelry while their kiddos sleep. In her limited free time, she loves spending time with her two kids and husband, reading the latest popular fiction novel, or listening to her favorite podcasts.
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CONNECT WITH LAUREL:
Website || Instagram || Facebook
MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:
Books:
Road Back to You by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile
Podcast:
Don’t Mom Alone by Heather MacFadyen
SCRIPTURE:
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work
in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 1:6 (NASB)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
~ Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)
THE GIVEAWAY FROM LAUREL DENISE
Laurel has generously offered one of her newest products, this digital download with “daughter of the king” in her signature tiny-handwriting. To get yours, just email Laurel with “Devoted Dreamers Podcast” in the subject line and she’ll handle the rest. THANK YOU, LAUREL!!
Available through May 31, 2019
If you do grab one of these, be sure to tag me and Laurel on your Instagram post showing where and how you’re displaying it.
MAIN TAKEAWAYS & TIMESTAMPS:
2:32 – an intro to Laurel’s jewelry business
3:45 – her God-shaped dream began in 2005 at a time when she was flailing
5:30 – it began with a dream in her sleep and then lots of research about how to make it a reality
7:27 – she began by experimenting with different tools and ideas
8:03 – a desire to do something creative was the original fuel
9:11 – this dream may have saved her a lot of heartache and money spent going down the wrong path
10:15 – how she came to understand the purpose of her dream years later
12:18 – the challenge of running a business as a mom with two young children
13:00 – about Laurel’s handwritten products (and my hilarious on-air mix up about one of them)
15:25 – Laurel’s favorite pieces & the lessons she wants to teach her daughters
17:49 – God’s timing and the comparison battle wages on, even for someone who’s been in business over a decade
20:02 – some projects just aren’t for you or they aren’t for right now
22:01 – Laurel’s Enneagram (3) and what she’s learning about herself
23:44 – the realities of working alongside mothering two little girls
27:02 – figuring out that it’s not in my power but it is in God’s power and He can do what you can’t
28:45 – favorite verses of scripture
29:54 – severe post-partum depression and the verse Laurel clung to in her second pregnancy
31:40 – advice to chase the thing that you’re willing to give up your free time for
33:00 – focus in on that one thing
33:58 – write down every idea in one journal and use that space to flesh them out
35:12 – she started making a different product, but all along her purpose has remained the same
36:00 – hire help at the very first opportunity you can
36:57 – hiring help can give you space to get organized and get beyond the anxious parts
39:18 – Laurel’s annual strategy to focus in on learning one big thing each year
41:43 – for her nothing good comes from listening to podcasts about someone’s amazing business
43:40 – the “daughter of the king” digital download
47:30 – I forget the strength I have in the Lord; this business has grown that reminder in me
51:04 – my takeaways, thank yous and a little behind my “why” for The Devoted Dreamers Podcast
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The Devoted Dreamers Podcast is produced by Jonathan R. Clauson.
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