Women at Work: Laura Brunton

I challenge you to scan Laura Brunton’s LinkedIn page, website or any social media channels and not feel happy. Give it a go.

Laura is the whole powerhouse package: driven, business-savvy and practical, while still being compassionate, family-focused and unapologetically positive. I was blown away by her positivity the second I started reading her content, and I hope you will be, too. Please enjoy this very special entrepreneur edition of Women at Work.

What is your title, and how would you describe your job?

I am the CEO & Founder of Totally You. I am a business and leadership coach and I ignite female business owners to live their legacy. I am an inspirer of radical authenticity and outrageous joy. I am a huge supporter of women in leadership and entrepreneurship and am happiest when I am supporting, celebrating, and hyping women up for the queens that they are! I am also a mum of three young children and wear many other fabulous hats too!

How did you end up starting your own company? Did you study something towards this, or learn on the go?

I loved my 15 years as a human resources leader within a large engineering and consultancy business. When Covid and lockdown hit, I found myself home-schooling two young children and taking on more and more responsibility at work and I found myself hitting burnout. I resigned as I knew I wanted to follow my passion for coaching and mentoring and as a coach.

I realised that I had to take my own advice and use my own tools to create a life where I could live fully and authentically with an abundance of joy.

I finished my coaching qualification during this time and was able to bring in my Masters in Project Management, degree in business and chartership in HR (CIPD) to create a unique and irresistible offering that served individual and corporate clients who were going through major change and wanted to work with someone of my background, ability, and mindset to get fantastic results.

What do you love about your job?

Soooo many things! Firstly, without a doubt, my clients. They are ambitious, clever, action-taking and heart-centred leaders who are thriving and are absolutely committed to growing and evolving in their careers and life. Truly inspirational.

Secondly, freedom! Time freedom, financial freedom, location freedom, creative freedom — I could go on. I can honestly say that I work with who I want, when I want, and how I want. And the majority of the time, this is from my front room! After spending so long in full time education then employment, I feel like I’ve broken free of the matrix and can truly live life on my terms.

And finally, I love how I work every day on creating and expanding my living legacy. I know I am making a difference to lives, incomes, dreams, relationships, families etc right now and that will create a ripple effect for generations to come. I am also so motivated by the fact that as an entrepreneur I have to be across all things and I am always learning about technology, strategy, social media, selling & marketing etc so I can stay one step ahead: there’s never a dull moment!

What do you find to be one of the toughest things about running a business?

Ironically, the very same thing that I love: technology, strategy, social media, selling and marketing! I know where my zone of genius lies and that is when connecting deeply with my clients. The peripheral business activities are essential and as they continue to scale, I will be able to continue to delegate on these areas.

Also, entrepreneurship is addictive in my opinion! There are limitless opportunities when you’re the boss. The challenge is then finding a work life balance, or as I prefer a work life blend, that allows me to be present and in the moment with my family when I always know I could be doing something else to continue growing the business.

What are some things people don’t perhaps know about working for yourself?

That especially in the early years, it is much harder than you can imagine. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes. There is constant juggling, trial and error, mistakes, lots of comparing yourself to people further down the line than you. You’ll get ghosted, you’ll get a lot of nos, some of your friends and family may not fully support you in business even though they do love you, and that at least once a day, you will think ‘what the hell am I doing? Can I really do this?’

And my answer is ‘Yes, yes you can.’ Because the highs are glorious!

Where does your energy come from? How do you make sure you’re not pouring from an empty cup?

I genuinely have super high levels of energy naturally, despite being a sleep-deprived mum of a 6-month-old baby! I am so fired up by my vision and mission and I consciously curate my life and business to create joy for me and those around me. I am extroverted and I love meeting new people. I love being creative and resourceful, and I love the spontaneity and variety in my business.

I am always 100% honest — I wouldn’t say that I’ve completely cracked it (truly, has anyone?!) and that I don’t have moments where I’m overstretched or overworked: I try to ensure that where I can, I get to the gym, I eat nourishing food, I grab sleep when I can and I try to be kind to myself, even though my natural tendency is to always strive for more! I am totally me and feel so aligned across my life right now.

What or who are your go-to resources for learning and inspiration?

So many! I am the biggest geek.

Some core books for sure are:

• Untamed by Glennon Doyle
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Careergasm by Sarah Virmont
• Ikigai Héctor García
• High Performance Habits Brendon Burchard

People

• Mel Robbins
• Gabriella Bernstein
• Tony Robbins
• Glennon Doyle
• Brene Brown
• Stephen King
• My mum Jacqueline & my husband Jeff

Podcasts

• SuperSoul Sunday Oprah
• Steven Bartlett
• Brene Brown

Where can people get in touch with you or read more if they’re interested?

• Linked In: Laura Brunton | LinkedIn
• Instagram: Laura | Business & Leadership Mentor (@totallyyoucoachlaura) • Instagram photos and videos
• Email: laura@laurabrunton.com
• Website: The Ignited Leader Collective (laurabrunton.com)