Lauren Goman

I think I'm pretty easy to work with. I've never entered a space, whether it be sports, work, or school, where I've had an issue with somebody that hasn't been able to be resolved. I think just being genuinely kind and giving people the respect that you would expect for yourself has been the biggest thing for me. I also think being able to confront issues respectfully is crucial. Knowing how to communicate feelings effectively has been key, and honestly, it has never led to further issues. I always try to treat people with patience and kindness, recognizing that everyone has other loads on their backs and might be going through something behind the scenes. Those values of kindness and respect are what get me through tough periods of time and help me work well with others.

I think the best advice I've received is being willing to learn. I think people get into the industry and they feel like they have so much to show people, and they want to prove themselves, which is totally fair and normal. But I think being willing to kind of learn under someone and be the not, well, quote-unquote, the least important person in the room is important. You can step into a leadership role when it's right, but I think just being humble and knowing that you have a lot to learn when you go into the industry has been really good advice for me.

I would say that I personally had a great support system. My family was super supportive of me going into a creative field, but some people don't have that privilege. I think you have to have a lot of confidence, and whether you have it or not, you will build it. You just have to trust that process within yourself. I think finding your personal style is so important. Everybody's trying to find themselves in college, and I think it's even more important as a creative that you find yourself. That can feel stressful and overwhelming at times, but as long as you're true to yourself and you have good intentions, it will come naturally. That confidence that comes with it truly changes the game and will make you feel so powerful, even outside of creative spaces. I think just trusting your intuition is key. If you feel like you have what it takes, you do, and you will make it work. It transformed my confidence levels. So I would say just trust the process, build confidence, and also lean on others around you for that confidence too, if you are able to.

I think naturally you come across challenges just working with so many other people, and at the end of the day, it is a business with a real physical budget. We have to meet deadlines and make enough money. At times, we were met with struggles of a small business. We dealt with money issues and sales issues, so trying to collaborate and brainstorm ideas on how to develop new ideas that would bring new customers in is really difficult. Really putting yourself in the shoes of a target consumer of the brand is also really difficult. You can't just be producing and designing for yourself, no matter how well you think it would go. We came across a lot of issues that are the same issues that a small business would face. Given that we are all students managing other jobs and other credits, you get definitely a mix of personalities and stress levels. That's where those values of kindness and respect come in, just always recognizing that people have other loads on their backs and that they might be going through something behind the scenes. Treating people with patience and kindness was crucial in getting through those tough periods of time.

I grew up in Duluth, Minnesota, and I think Minnesota Nice is very true and accurate. One of the traits that has gotten me far in my industry so far is that I'm very cognizant of other people around me, how they feel, and making them feel understood. Even within the roles of leadership that I've had, I think making people feel understood and that their ideas are still valued, whether or not they're in a leadership position, is really important. I also think that integrity and sticking to your values, even when there's tough situations around you, is crucial. I have a minor in sustainability, and I think that correlates into integrity in the industry as well, like having transparency and evaluating your community and the people around you. Those values of kindness, respect, integrity, and transparency are what guide me in both my work and personal life.