Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Woods.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey has not been a cakewalk; that’s for sure. There have been many ups and downs, and honestly, the journey is still evolving. However, one thing I am certain of is that God strategically planned it all. I attended and graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Go Blazers! When I first set foot on campus, I had no idea of what I wanted to do in life. I remember meeting with my academic advisor, and she was always suggesting various careers. None of them interested me. It got to the point where I was coerced into declaring a major, which I cannot blame her for, since I was beginning my junior year undeclared! I wanted to be a marriage counselor. I was advised to major in something other than Psychology, since I would have to return for graduate school and cannot use a psych undergrad degree on its own. I decided upon Communications after remembering a broadcast experience in elementary school.
When I took my first major class, I fell in love with it. I loved the notion of getting my camera, going out in the field, and capturing people’s stories. Needless to say, becoming a marriage counselor slowly became a distant memory. Like many students when they graduate, I was ready to enter the workforce and take on the world! However, the world did not want to take me! It took nearly two years post-graduation before landing a position in my field. Even then, it was an unpaid internship! However, I was determined, and I worked hard to get noticed. The unpaid internship eventually turned into a paid internship, which prepared me for my first “big-girl” job in Little Rock, AR. After two years in The Natural State and returning back home to Birmingham to work for three more years, the news industry began to wear on me, especially since I had been working overnight for over 5 years.
I also didn’t like the idea of frequently moving just to reach a higher market for better pay. My family was also preparing to welcome my nephew Noah. I remember thinking, I don’t want him to grow up without knowing me, so I began searching for my exit, and I found it in Public Relations. I officially made the switch in 2020, and I love it here! I first got my feet wet at a local PR firm. I stayed there for 3 1/2 years. I learned so much from that experience, both good and bad. When I left, many colleagues asked whether I would launch my own firm.
My quick response was always, ” No!” I had no desire to start my own agency, but people kept asking. So, I began to listen and consider it. Then on July 17, 2023, The Serenity Agency LLC was born. I did not tell anyone at first. Only a few people knew: my parents and the people who showed me how to set it up. I was quiet about it all. I worked at small businesses before, but actually having one on my own was something else entirely! Plus, I still had a job. I was trying to navigate building my business while learning a new role. To be transparent, I am still figuring that out today. After I left the PR firm, I began working for an affordable housing organization, and today I work at a civil engineering firm in marketing and communications.
I’ve had many jobs. Consequently, each job has prepared and shaped me into the person I am today. Even before I began working in news, I served as a cashier at Chick-fil-A. I learned the importance of customer service and how to deal with sometimes difficult people. From hospitality to journalism, news was truly one of the hardest chapters of my life, but it laid the foundation for my career. I learned so many valuable, transferable skills. From writing, time management, capturing video- the list can go on. From news to PR, my writing improved, and I worked on websites, social media, branding, and more. It is also at this time that my love for event planning blossomed. In the last nearly 7 years, I have planned concert series, galas, conferences, award ceremonies, and one-day summits. Those opportunities came through my job at the time and, for some, through my agency! Most recently, I planned, designed, and coordinated a wedding! I am just so grateful!
All my roles are connected and intertwined because, had I not experienced the trenches of producing countless newscasts overnight for several years, I wouldn’t be as thorough and knowledgeable when planning and executing detailed, complex events and strategic PR plans. Though much of my career was challenging in many ways, both before and after news, every transaction at Chick-fil-A, every newscast I produced, every thought-out social media content calendar, and every event Run of Show has prepared me for this very moment in my life. I am so proud of my journey, and I do not regret the path, nor would I trade it.
Yes, for a long time, I have been quiet about The Serenity Agency. Now, I am starting to get LOUD! God has blessed me with this gift, and I want to share it with others. I am excited for the future and look forward to building more brands and elevating more experiences.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. One struggle that comes to mind was constantly having to prove the value I bring, particularly when leaving news. It was difficult to convince hiring managers of my skill set. It took about a year and a half before I could make the transition before anyone was willing to give me a chance. During my time in news, and later in my career, I was often overlooked for promotions when I was clearly doing the work and doing it well, with data to prove it. It is very difficult to put on a smile and perform at your best while in an environment where you’re not appreciated. However, as the late great Maya Angelou would say, Still I Rise.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Serenity Agency LLC was established in July 2023. It combines two things I enjoy most: event planning and PR! The name Serenity is an homage to my paternal great-grandfather, Jerry Woods, and maternal great-grandmother, Lizzie Ann Robinson. Poppa Jerry, as many called him, was known for his kindness. Lizzie Ann, or Big Granny, was known for her humility. When around them, you felt a sense of home. I hope to bring that same peace to clients when I provide services. What sets us apart is our commitment to excellence, great customer service, and a personal touch in every project. I am most proud of the wedding we just coordinated. It was a full-service planning event. We handled all the details. From event design and vendor coordination to the ceremony timing, everything was intentional. The design was so pretty! The bride asked for Black, gold, champagne, and ivory. We delivered an elegant, lush ambiance that was simply beautiful. We cater to individuals, as well as corporations and non-profit organizations. We have experience with galas and community celebrations. Our team has also planned and executed strategic PR campaigns.
What does success mean to you?
Consistency. Showing up when you feel like it and when you don’t. Doing your best every single time and remembering that “whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theserenityagency.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theserenityagencyllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theserenityagencyllc/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-serenity-agency-llc/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mzellewoods?_r=1&_t=ZT-9ArVSA3c5a1
