MADE INC
HOW I MADE IT WITH JASMINE BROWLEY &
lauren bealore
MADE BY JASMINE BROWLEY
careers are which makes it easier for us to disseminate information to our members .
On why Y . A . B . has gained so much success
We ’ ve all heard the phrase , ‘ pay it forward .’ But have you ever met someone that fully embodied it ? Lauren Bealore has built an impressive career by narrowing the gap between business and politics , currently serving as a corporate relations and events manager of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters . But that isn ’ t enough for her . Frustrated with hearing from her network about the lack of viable business resources for minority-owned small businesses , Lauren and two college peers formed the non-profit organization Young , Ambitious and Beautiful ( Y . A . B .) in 2012 .
Lauren recently sat down with How I Made It to speak to how her day job and passion project collide , workplace prejudices and how she plans to change the landscape of small business ownership .
On why she and her college peers started Y . A . B .
I noticed that there was a lack of access to resources in my community that essentially make businesses sustainable . We wanted to break out our areas of assistance in three buckets : Business & Development , Community Engagement and Mentorship , and Personal Development .
We each cover an area fits where our personal
Right away we impress on our members that they shouldn ’ t treat their business as if they ’ re side projects even if employed somewhere else . We give them the tools needed to to create an enterprise and that has been spread throughout our network , which now , thanks to our traveling workshops , spans nationwide .
On why she chose to become involved in politics
I come from a confident family . We don ’ t really have a problem with positioning ourselves as leaders in most situations . I tend to treat mostly everything I do with the same passion . As it turns out , those passions , politics , relationship building and creating inclusion pipelines all align with the mission of Y . A . B .
On how being a minority in her field affects her professionally
I enjoy breaking barriers and challenging status-quo . As the only African American in my role across the entire national Michigan League of Conservation Voters , despite what most might think , I ’ m used to being the first one or the only one . I just make sure that while there , I make the best impression possible .
On advice she can offer to aspiring professional millennials
It ’ s possible to successful and multi-passionate . Just be sure to move with intent and strategy and success will follow .
For more information on Y . A . B ., please visit IAmYAB . org .
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