Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Kaufman.
Hi Lauren, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Unconventional is a good word to describe how my life has gone. I met my husband in middle school, started dating him in freshman year, got engaged during senior year at 17 years old, and married him right after graduation. We moved to Santa Cruz, California into a shoe-box of an apartment but we’re so happy because it was ours, and we were together. When the whole world started to shut its doors at the beginning of 2020, it felt like, for the first time in a while, I didn’t know what I was going to do. I had been working as a social media manager for the past year. My client was no longer able to travel to do her work and had to shut her business down, letting me go. I decided to start posting on Instagram about what I am passionate about and make interesting photo edits to go along with my captions. It seemed like overnight I found an entire community who embraced me and we supported each other’s works. I quickly started to grow my page and worked with large brands such as JC Penney and World Market. With the experience of content creating under my belt, I was able to start reaching out and offering my photography and videography services to companies that needed content for their website and social pages. My husband and I packed our home into 3 vehicles and drove across the country for 6 days to the beautiful Shaker Heights.
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?
Unfortunately, in the summer of 2021, my Instagram page was hacked and I lost access for 3 weeks. Because of this, my engagement rate (the amount of followers to content interactions) took a steep dive downward. I also had a change in my niche which resulted in a lot of lost support from my previous community. I felt hopeless. However, I had started creating content on TikTok consistently in the early summer of 2021 and this has now become almost 2x’s as successful than my Instagram ever was. I have the right target audience and so much support. My success on TikTok has sparked inspiration for me to start a small business this year which is currently in the works! My drive to be an entrepreneur stems from as little as 7 years old, when I wanted to become a dress designer, made plans to open up a shop in my small hometown village, and got a professional mannequin for Christmas one year. And now, at 20 years old, I am working each and every day to prove to that little girl that her dreams of owning a small business can and will come true through hard work, prayer, and dedication.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am definitely known for my emphasis on making Cottagecore content across my social media platforms. Cottagecore is defined in many different ways, however, the core definition an aesthetic or way of living that reflects a slow and simple life, caring for nature and animals, and working on handmade projects such as embroidery, cooking/baking, knitting, making natural self care products, etc. On my Instagram, I share photos of my outfits and home that reflect my way of living and sharing small details in the caption about what is happening in my life. On my TikTok page, I make entertaining videos around the theme of Cottagecore and to help others cultivate a Cottagecore wardrobe that they feel confident in. On my Youtube channel, I make cinematic videos about the stages of life I am in, current struggles, victories, and behind the scenes look at my content.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people do not know the debilitating health concerns I have struggled with my entire life. Some of my earliest memories are of me on the floor, cradling my stomach and my mom struggling to understand what was wrong. We found out when I was 15 that I have an intolerance to wheat, dairy, gluten, and sugar… all things I had been eating my whole life. Everything I ate made me extremely nauseous and I developed an eating disorder as well as a phobia known as Emetophobia. From 2017-May of 2021, I had mid abdominal pain that hindered me from doing any physical exercise including workouts, walking around the neighborhood, or even going to the grocery store. The last straw was on May 11th, 2021 when I was hospitalized from the pain of my stomach. I believe that God answered my prayers when I saw a documentary explaining the negative impact that the meat and dairy industry have on our physical and mental health as well as the environment. My family for generations have been meat eaters and I haven’t gone a day without having some sort of animal product. Well, just like that, my husband and I went completely plant-based and a miracle has happened, my stomach pains have COMPLETELY stopped!!! This is a huge victory in my life and has allowed me to go on photoshoots, video shoots, create art, explore our new city, and live my life PAIN FREE! I give the full glory to Christ for this miracle.
Pricing:
- $150 per professionally edited photo for your company’s use
- $400 for fully filmed and edited video for your company’s use
- Please inquire with Lauren via her email (laurenemilykaufman@gmail.com) for pricing information
Contact Info:
- Email: laurenemilykaufman@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenkaufman2/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvX-i4vwe5yfEepdtWbtUbg
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenkaufman2?lang=en
Image Credits
Lauren Kaufman
Garrik Kaufman
