Wednesday Wonder Woman – Lauren Armes

Eeeek!  I could not be more excited to share this interview with you!  I have been a big fan of this woman and her incredible work for a while now and am thrilled to be able to introuduce Lauren Armes, founder of Well To Do London.

When you were a little girl, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a fashion designer. I used to draw long limbed women and then take the sweet wrappers and craft them into wildly outrageous ball gowns. I was a creative kid, but very meticulous, and would cry if I coloured outside the lines.

What do you do now?  For work?  For fun?

Now, I run an online wellness publication for Londoners who opt for a healthy urban lifestyle, infused with fun and flavour. I also host a monthly event series for wellness entrepreneurs and health conscious startups. I’m incredibly intrigued by the global wellness movement and how the industry is evolving. I guess I explore every facet of it for fun…

How did you get into your area of expertise?

I started out working for an industrial aerosol manufacturer in Australia for whom, after graduating from university, I found myself travelling the world establishing global distribution channels – predominantly in mining dominant countries. I got a lot of high level experience in negotiating deals, and a whole lot of insight into what it takes to run a successful global company. When I moved to London in 2013, I consulted in various roles across different industries – knowing, deep down, that I wanted to build my own empire. It started as a side project but in October 2014 I left my corporate job to focus on building  my own business – and so, here I am today.

What obstacles have you faced in following your dreams and how have you overcome them?

I never thought I’d get to where I am now, even though deep down I knew I wanted to be the boss. I suppose it’s often the fear of admitting to our deepest desires, that stops us from getting to them. In terms of obstacles, I think fear of failure has often gotten in my way. As soon as I realised that in order to fail, I had to at least try, I just stopped thinking too much about the future and went for it.

What’s the best part of what you do?

Being in control of how I spend my time, and with whom I spend it. The flow-on from that is that I get to meet incredible people who are building world-class businesses and changing lives as they do it. I love that there is no longer a distinction being life and work. I love what I do and would do it for free – the fact that I get paid is a massive bonus.

What advice do you have for other women who might want to follow suit?

Get to the core of why you want to achieve what you want to achieve (even if you don’t know exactly what that is yet) – and go from there. Then, I’d say show up every day. For at least a year. If not five years. Success doesn’t happen overnight.

What’s your morning routine?  

I wake up slowly. I usually stay in bed for 10 minutes and peruse my emails. I live on the other side of the world to my family, so I often wake up to news from home and that’s a great way to start the day. Then, I shower, have breakfast and sit down at my computer to organise my day. I get a clear to-do list in place and then try and stick to it as best I can, though I’m still working on that discipline. When you start your own business, I think it takes time to find your groove… at the same time, things change so quickly so having a routine doesn’t always work.

3 things that are on your ‘to do’ list today?

Blitz my inbox down to zero, lock down my panel for The Welltodo Life Series in September, and pick up  my dry cleaning.

What are you working on at the moment?  Next project?

I’m finalising a business plan to take Welltodo London to the next level. That’s about all I can say about that right now. 🙂

One woman you admire and why?

My late Grandmother, who lived to the ripe old age of 100. She said that the secret to a long and happy life, is to always look for the best in people. I’ll carry that with me forever.

Three wishes?

I wish for contentment, success and an eternal summer.  

Who do you turn to for advice?

A handful of people, from business mentors to close friend and family members. I can also pretty much run anything by my boyfriend. He doesn’t always have the answers but most of the time when it comes to advice, I usually know the answer – it just helps to flesh it out with something trustworthy.

Who do you turn to for a shoulder to cry on?

My mum, my boyfriend, or sometimes complete strangers.

Favourite book?

A Once Courageous Heart by Kylie Johnson. It’s a poem about connection, love, heartache and estrangement. It’s so very moving and beautifully crafted.

Favourite movie?

The Holiday – tacky, I know. I just love Jude Law.

Favourite childhood game?

Probably battleships…

Fantasy career? Why?

This is it!

Words for Monday motivation?

“Get up, dress up, show up.”

#FeelGoodFriday song?

Memories and Dust by Josh Pyke

Favourite quote?

“Replace fear of the unknown with curiosity.”

Thanks so much Lauren!

x Louise

Contact Lauren

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