Reflecting On My Decade in St. Louis
This is a repost, slightly revised from its original post on LinkedIn.
Earlier this fall, the St. Louis Business Journal asked me to complete the sentence: St. Louis would be better if...
"Everyone who came here was greeted as warmly as I've been."
Last week, I co-chaired the St. Louis Art Museum Gala. I am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate some significant milestones of a place that is very special to me and so many of us in this region. The museum is simultaneously world-class and a local gem in our backyard of Forest Park.
The front facade of the museum's main building has inscribed over its doors: DEDICATED TO ART AND FREE TO ALL
What St. Louis does so well, and far exceeds many other cities, is cultivating a community that increasingly has access to its parks, arts, and culture scene. And continues to think about how it can only expand that access for the future. It's a passion space for me, a community builder, and it fuels the creativity in my work. If you raise your hand and show up, you can contribute to this community with impact. I've learned that in the best ways and did so by starting small.
Coming up on ten years in STL, I feel gratified that Mark and I have built a meaningful life here. I arrived in the summer of 2014, knowing only Mark and a few of his friends, who have become some of my closest people. I've made the best friends of my life in this city. And I continue to meet new people who delight and challenge me in beautiful ways. I am where I am in life and business because St. Louis has been and continues to be a tremendous part of my journey.
St. Louisans have only swallowed me up and nurtured me to continue to be the best person I can be, personally, civically, and professionally. What a gift that is. It's a gift that we can all pay forward. No matter how big or small.
Reflecting on this past year…
I’m pausing in gratitude just as much for the highs as for the lows throughout 2023. This business I’ve built over the past six years has surprised me and taught me many things thus far, not least finding my voice and continuously showing up to be heard, continuing to respect the power of relationships, nurturing these relationships, listening to those I serve, my community and friends, to never to stop learning and reflecting, that opportunity is right around the corner especially when it looks unclear at first, to trust my gut, and that it takes a village to grow.
It’s also taught me to sit in moments with more calm, self-grace, and presence, particularly regarding the pride and privilege of my work after great (big and small) successes have occurred.
And so, as we move through this wildly busy time of year, I want to take the time to thank you for being a part of my work that is far beyond a job… for opening and reading these emails, for the replies, likes, calls, texts, and DMs of support and encouragement for me to share more with you, and for welcoming me into your closet… in person, virtually, and by way of this newsletter.
What I’ve always known, since the beginning, is just how impactful it can feel to be wearing exactly the right thing at precisely the right moment and feeling like your absolute best self. Watching this happen is the greatest gift of all.
Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season. x Laura
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