06 Aug 2015
by Elle
in Awesome, Be True To You, Blogger, Blogging, Business Owner, Celebration, DIY, Enjoy Life, FOCUS, Fun, Good Place, Happy, Joy, Lauran, LauranSmith.com, Life, Life Is Good, Love, Passion for writing, Peace, Positivity, Self-Reflection, Smiling, Social Media, Thoughts, Words, Writer, Writing
Tags: August, Blogger, Choosing Joy, For Lauran, Lauran
It’s been a MINUTE since I’ve written on my own blog! Yes…I know…life can sometimes get insanely crazy, but I will no longer neglect my responsibility here!
Thank you for being so patient…and thank you for your support! Got plenty of updates for you:
- I am now a Brand Ambassador for Voice Of Hair! Follow them via Instagram as well! I am not a Contributing Writer for their blog, and I also submit pictures via their site to show case the newest and latest hair styles.
- I also have a published piece via Jet Magazine! I was able to submit a post regarding a few simple business tips.
- I am an official third quarter blogger for The Boss Network! This is a network that has been sited by Forbes and Inc Magazines as one of the top ten networking sites for women in business!
- I am back into runway modeling, and loving it!
- I am also back in the studio singing and recording, with a show this month with my Uncle Kirk Whalum!
To say that I have been busy, is an understatement, however it is NOT a complaint! My gifts are making room for me to move and grow, and I appreciate being handed the opportunity to serve in such ways. I will be posting more on my opinions about some of the things that are happening in the world as well. So much has happened since I last SERIOUSLY blogged, and my views on so many things are different…would LOVE to share and get your feedback.
Have an amazing Thursday! Feels so good to be back!
Follow me via IG at @lauranslane.
03 Jul 2013
by Elle
in Awesome, Enjoy Life, Exclusive, Fun, Good Place, Good Times, Joy, Life Is Good, Music, PRbyELLE77, R&B
Tags: Concert, Gary IN, Jo Jo, K Ci
30 Apr 2013
by Elle
in "On The Inside", Accountability, Altitude, Assignment, Attitude, Be True To You, Better Decision Making, Blogger, Blogging, Business Owner, Challenge, Character, Desires, Faith, Feelings, FOCUS, Good Place, Happy, Have Faith, Joy, LauranSmith.com, Life, Life Is Good, Love, PRbyELLE77, Smiling, Social Media, Straight Talk, Thought Processes, Thoughts, Time, TIME TO GO, Value YOU, Writer, Writing, You
It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, and in all honesty, it’s been by design! I needed to take a mini break to get settled in my newest role…
FULL TIME ENTREPRENEUR.
Yes…as of April 1, 2013 (April Fool’s Day lol) I quit my job in “corporate America”. It came out of nowhere. Nope…I didn’t give two weeks notice; nope, I have not a single regret. I politely told my mgmt person this simple phrase: “I think I am going to have to make my last day here TODAY”. Imagine the look of shock on his face when I said that! I was confident in my decision, had already taken a peak at my financial situation, and decided that I had to act NOW. And I did!
I’ve been happy ever since.
Thing is, in order for me to truly get the weight off of my shoulder, I had to open the door of LEAVING that job. I was MISERABLE (I’m sure some of you have viewed past posts which made reference to my disdain for that place…), and I could not “find joy” in having to be there for seven hours and forty five minutes of my life, day in and day out, anymore. I thought about how much money I had been making there, and let out a sigh…the money was great, but not enough to keep me from being unhappy. I just know that I could no longer take the misery!
I left…and not 10 minutes after I was gone, I received two referrals to manage social media for their brands. For a while I had been working full time on BOTH–the corporate job and my career–and I was completely worn out. One had to go…and it was NOT going to be my PR Firm…
In order for me to receive the vision TOTALLY, I had to open that door of “the money is good at this job though”, walk ALL THE WAY out of it, and activate my faith. My spirit is free now. I may not be making the same amount of money that I was bringing home from the corporate job, but my clientele is picking up tremendously, and I have yet to be worried about making ends meet. I refuse to worry about what God has already done!
I challenge you to Open That Door. The door to working out, establishing your place in society, being open to love, mending a friendship, saving more money…whatever the “door” is for you, go ahead and open it. A huge part of your life’s work is to strengthen what already exists inside of you.
Be free to be who you are; my testimony is simply that I chose to Open That Door. Here’s a look at my door: http://www.prbyelle77.com
01 Mar 2013
by Elle
in Blogger, Blogging, Fun, Instagram, Life, Life Is Good, PASSION, Passion for writing, Positivity, PRbyELLE77, Tribute, Writer, Writing
Tags: Celebrating ONE YEAR, PRbyELLE77
PRbyELLE77 is celebrating its ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY for the entire month of March!
Celebrate w us!! Do this photo challenge via your Instagram pages! Don’t forget to use hashtag #elle77pics!

Thanks so much for supporting us!
Happy Friday!
16 Feb 2013
by Elle
in Assignment, Be Professional, Be True To You, Best Part, BizTipsbyELLE, Blogger, Blogging, Business Owner, Enjoy Life, Exclusive, Good Place, Happy, Keeping Track, Lauran Smith Dot Com, LauranSmith.com, Life Is Good, New Business Owner, PASSION, Passion for writing, Positivity, PRbyELLE77, Social Media, Stay Tuned, Tips, Weekend, Words, Writer, Writing, You Are What You Attract
Tags: Biz Tips, Elle, PRbyELLE77, Social Media Marketing and PR
Today is Saturday! Which means that #BizTipsbyELLE will be posted throughout the day at the PRbyELLE77 FB Site! Make sure that you “like” the page!
Also, PRbyELLE77 will turn one on March 1st! We will host an anniversary photo challenge via Instagram, and we are also celebrating a phenomenal man in the month of March! Information regarding the competition will ONLY be posted via the PRbyELLE77 FB Site!

I certainly appreciate your endless support of the blogs and my business!!
Sincerely,

ELLE
18 Jan 2013
by Elle
in 7BloggerDays, All About Me, Animated, Awesome, Blogger, Blogging, clothes, Colors, Dark Skin, Eating, Enjoy Life, Faces, FOOD!!!, Good Place, Good Times, Happy, Jan2013, Joy, Lauran, Lauran Smith Dot Com, LauranSmith.com, Life Is Good, Love, Moments, Passion for writing, Photography, Photos, Relationships, Scrambled eggs, Smiling, Time, Words, Writer, Writing

Lauran hiding her face
Here is a photo of me at a restaurant called Waffles in the South Loop area of Chicago, IL. My significant other took this picture, trying to catch me on the sneak, but I am always watching…so this is the shot he took! And I was being bashful! LOL
14 Jan 2013
by Elle
in 7BloggerDays, All About Me, Awesome, Blogger, Blogging, Joy, Lauran, Lauran Smith Dot Com, LauranSmith.com, Life Is Good, Love, Social Media, Writer, Writing
Tags: 7BloggerDays
I absolutely ADORE social media…so much that it’s now a career!
I initially wasn’t interested in Twitter or any of the media outlets…once I joined, I fell in love! I’ve connected w old friends, gotten information on events of my interest, and joined several professional groups…all because of social media!
If you’re interested in hiring a Social Media PR Firm for your brand, click here!
Lauran
11 Jan 2013
by Elle
in "Jobs" Are WHACK, "On The Inside", 7BloggerDays, Assignment, Awesome, Be True To You, Blogger, Blogging, Business Owner, Challenge, Enjoy Life, Faith, FOCUS, Fun, Joy, Lauran, Lauran Smith Dot Com, LauranSmith.com, Life, Life Is Good, PASSION, Passion for writing, Patience, Peace, Positivity, PRbyELLE77, Thought Processes, Time, Triumphs, Writing
One of my most favorite moments is when I decided to start my own business!
I was hesitant to do so in such a trying economic time…but one day, while on a brief medical leave from my job, I formulated my plan! I also recall being selected for jury duty, and thinking to myself “there is a chance that I will NOT get called; let me take my notebook and write out some ideas”…and that’s exactly what I did! I did not get called that day for duty, so I spent a FULL 6 or so hours writing out my vision for my company.
Well, I’m coming up on a ONE YEAR of being an entrepreneur, and it feels great! I woke up this morning to an email from someone soliciting me for their brands, plus emails from clients updating me on things that they need…that instantly made me smile. I LOVE what I do, and I am grateful that I did not let the financial hardships of the world cut into my dreams! Once I got over my initially hesitancy, I discovered that everything needed to “Just Do It” was on the inside!!
I am a better woman for staying focused on my goals! I challenge you to do the same!
22 Nov 2012
by Elle
in Celebration, Enjoy Life, Family, FOOD!!!, Health, Life Is Good, Love, PRbyELLE77, Smiling
Tags: Thanksgiving
I’m thankful that my grandmother Drop’s surgery was successful.
I’m thankful that my family is MY family.

I’m thankful for entrepreneurship.
I’m thankful for little babies.
I’m thankful for marriage.
I’m thankful for my blog.
I’m thankful for the various opportunities that I’ve been given.
I’m thankful for the peace of mind of maintaining friendships.
I’m thankful for the peace of mind when I’ve severed relationships!
I’m thankful for music and singing.
I’m thankful for the love of my life.

I’m thankful for puppies!!!

I’m thankful for knowing how to “throw down” in the kitchen!
I’m thankful for the ability to hear what’s not being spoken.
I’m thankful for my smile AFTER July30.2012!
I’m thankful for my company!

If I keep going, I’ll type until my fingers fall off.
I’m SUPER thankful for that last breath that I just took, as it surely may have been someone else’s “last breath”.
Thank you, Dear God, for all you’ve done! If you never do anything else, I thank you!!

ELLE
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