Life & Work with Lauren Froman of Grand Rapids

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Froman.

Hi Lauren, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey began at Grand Valley State University, where I earned my degree in Advertising and Public Relations. That’s where I first started to understand the power of storytelling through social media and community engagement. If I had to pinpoint the true launchpad for my career, it would be interning with ArtPrize during my junior year. That experience completely lit a fire in me. It showed me how powerful events, community-building, and creative expression could be in bringing people together. Whether it’s elevating the stories of people, brands, or entire communities, I realized I didn’t just want to help tell these stories, I wanted to help create the experiences that left a lasting impact.

Before that, I spent nearly a decade working in customer service and retail, which honestly taught me just as much. I learned how to connect with people, how to think on my feet, and how to really see what people need. That foundation was invaluable.

Since then, my career has taken me all over the country. I’ve worked on a wide range of projects, everything from arts/film festivals, concerts to corporate conferences, music events, social media campaigns and hospitality. A lot of these experiences have been gig-based or freelance contract work, which has not only allowed me to travel but also helped me build an incredibly diverse network and skill set.

At the heart of everything I do is a genuine love for people and meaningful connection. I’m deeply passionate about giving back through volunteerism and draw endless inspiration from music, travel, wellness, and the outdoors. Growing up along the shores of Lake Michigan instilled in me a lasting appreciation for nature and the strength found in community.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road but I’ve come to learn that the most meaningful paths rarely are. My career route isn’t the traditional one, especially here in West Michigan where the norm tends to be: go to college, land that 9 to 5, climb the corporate ladder, get married, and have kids, usually in that order. Now let me be absolutely crystal clear: there is absolutely nothing wrong with that life. In fact, 20-year-old me was headed for that direction and at the time, I was content with that plan.

But life has a way of nudging you toward discomfort for a reason. When you start stepping outside of what feels familiar or expected, you realize just how many possibilities are out there. It’s definitely a “high risk, high reward” kind of journey, and with that comes moments of isolation or second-guessing, especially when you feel like you’re charting a course few around you truly understand.

While I do love people and community, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of setting boundaries. I am usually a “yes” person, but as I get older I’ve had to get more comfortable saying no. I’ve learned the importance of protecting my time and energy, and recognizing when I’ve gotten all I need from an experience. That hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been essential for my growth, both personally and professionally.

The hardest chapter, without question, was when COVID hit. I’m someone who thrives on connection, in-person energy, and running events and suddenly, all of that came to a halt. Like so many others, I lost my job and I questioned everything. But what I did have was my health and my amazing village around me, and for that, I’ll always be grateful. That season taught me resilience, how to pivot, and how to slow down when the world demands it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work lives at the intersection of storytelling, connection, and community building. I specialize in social media management, event production, and team development, basically anything that brings people together and creates an impact. I’ve had the privilege of working with an array of different organizations. Right now, I’m working with Michigan State University to help grow their public-facing programs through their annual Science Festival, which has been such a rewarding way to bridge education, creativity, and outreach.

As mentioned above, I have a passion for volunteerism. With that being said, I am incredibly proud of the work my friends and I have done through building The Grateful Team. We are a cycling team that benefits Make-A-Wish Michigan that helps grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. It started as a small group of passionate riders and turned into something truly special. We have won awards, raised significant funds, and built a supportive, inclusive community that rides with purpose. That experience has really shown me the power of leadership and what can happen when you gather the right people around a mission that matters; I carry this energy in my professional work as well.

Outside of that, I am in the process of growing my own platform rooted in adventures, travels, and hospitality by sharing authentic experiences that inspire others to explore and live more fully. It’s been such a creative outlet and a chance to blend storytelling with my love of the outdoors and meaningful experiences.

What I think sets me apart is my ability to walk into a room and genuinely connect with people whether it’s the CEO or the intern, I treat everyone with the same level of respect and curiosity. I’m proud of how I can rally a team, bring out the best in people, and create a vibe where work doesn’t just get done, it truly thrives. My versatility allows me to shift seamlessly between roles, projects, and industries, but no matter the setting, I try my best to lead with heart and hustle.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is making sure people feel heard, seen, and supported; whether it’s a client, a team member, a creative collaborator, a family in need, or just a neighbor down the street. Everyone deserves to feel like they matter, and I try to live by that in both my personal and professional life. That sense of connection and mutual respect is at the core of everything I do.

I also care deeply about creating space for people to grow, to try something new, and to fail forward. I’ve worked across so many different industries and communities, and the common thread is always the human side of things. Titles do not matter to me. Energy does. Intention does. I want people to feel like they belong, like their contribution means something, and that someone is rooting for them.

On a broader level, what drives me is the impact we can make when we use our voices, platforms, and skills for good. Whether that’s raising money for local community organizations, creating content that inspires people to explore new things, or helping a brand tell its story in a meaningful way, what matters is that it’s authentic, uplifting, and rooted in purpose. I believe that how you treat people and how you show up says everything and that’s the legacy I want to leave behind.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://laurenfroman.my.canva.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lofro54
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenfroman/