Lauren Clark
Courtesy of LC Designs NYC
Age || 25
Company Name || LC Designs NYC
Title || Owner
Company Start Date || February 2019
Years living in New York || 6 months
Social handles || @lc_designsnyc
Website || LC DESIGNS NYC
What did you want to be while growing up?
An interior designer.
What’s the best piece of advice you were given when you were starting out?
“Just do it. You have to start somewhere.'' I was so hesitant to post anything online because if something wasn’t perfect or exactly how I thought it should look, then I wouldn’t post it. My mom kept telling me to just start and that it wasn’t going to be perfect right away and that’s ok, but to just start from somewhere. Sure enough, she was right!
What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in starting and or running your business?
Working early mornings and late nights and weekends. Sleep basically and carrying one million bags of produce at a time too.
How do you define success?
Feeling 100% confident with your work. It’s something I’m still working on!
Courtesy of LC Designs NYC
What is your go-to motivational quote?
Wake up with determination. Go to bed with satisfaction.
How did you first come up with the idea to start making these food boards?
I’ve always been super into home design. So I started making charcuterie boards as props for table settings and was also just always putting them together for holidays and photographing them. It was always a fun way to use my love for design. My mom actually suggested that I start selling them which I thought was a ridiculous idea but here we are!
Do you have a personal motto?
Fake it till you make it.
Which women inspire you?
My mom and her ability to balance approximately one million things at a time while also being my #1 supporter.
Courtesy of LC Designs NYC
What is your workspace like?
It totally depends on the day! If I’m not in the kitchen prepping food then I’m likely at a local coffee shop handling the backend of the business, or maybe at Fairway shopping for my produce.
How do you overcome moments of self-doubt?
I honestly just keep going. If I let myself stop and stay idle, then I tend to freak out. I’m someone who needs to constantly be doing things in order for me to stay sane. If I’m having moments of self doubt (which I certainly deal with, more often than not), nothing keeps me on track more than putting some music on and making a board, wherever that may be. Seeing a final product product that I’m happy with, restores my confidence and really turns the self doubt off.
What is the hardest part about being your own boss?
Staying motivated and being your biggest cheerleader.
How do you handle situations where you feel overwhelmed?
Honestly, put on some Fleetwood Mac or Jersey Boys and keep going. Or if I’m feeling like I need more than that, then a nice Y7 class always helps calm me!
What is the most important thing you’ve learned since starting out?
That running your own business is difficult. Being your own boss, yes, is great, but also super challenging at times when you have to keep yourself motivated. Oh, and also balancing this business with my part-time paralegal schedule.
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.