Her Story
About Lauren
Lauren Kocer is an accomplished business owner and sales professional based in Minnesota. She is the owner of Pegasus Surfaces, a company she founded about eight months ago that specializes in floor coatings, concrete coatings, and related services for both residential and commercial spaces. Prior to starting her business, Kocer gained experience in home improvement through a sales role where she performed strongly and advanced to a management position overseeing the interiors division. Her earlier career path included serving as a house manager and personal assistant for a family in Pennsylvania, working on staff at a new church where she led outreach and community events, and serving as executive director of a non-profit organization for approximately one and a half to two years, where she helped build the organization from an idea into reality. Kocer holds a degree in leadership management from the University of St. Thomas. She attributes her success to faith, belief, a drive for excellence, and the ability to balance big-picture vision with attention to detail. Her core values include choices matter, truth wins, and growth always.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lauren
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say faith and belief. Everything that I do, I want to achieve excellence in. I have a unique ability to see big vision but also be very detailed. I contribute that to my success, of having the ability to see the overarching vision and believe in that dream but then also knowing the details that go into it.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
You can't let fear stand in your way. If you take the risk, understand that you're gonna need perseverance. A lot of people miss out on their success because the road gets hard and they give up too soon. Growth should be a constant. Take every moment, take every situation, and make sure that you're having a takeaway from it that can be used to fuel you into the future.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
What you put in is what you get out. Focus on owning who you are, your strengths and weaknesses. Get better at your strengths. Look inwards, evaluate yourself honestly. Don't get stuck with the current situation. Be determined to get to where you want to go. Do not be afraid to ask questions. The fastest way to get better is to ask as many questions as you want.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is building your reputation when you're new. Finding the right people and the right employees. Making hard decisions like letting someone go if they're hindering the company, because the mission is to create opportunities for many. I can't teach you to care, that's the bottom line.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Choices matter, truth wins, and growth always. We have 3 core values at our company. I didn't want to use some corporate jargon that people don't remember. These are definitely my personal values.
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