Meet Laura Murray | Freelance end-to-end marketer and artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Murray and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process is a lot like a highway map. I’m talking genuine Rand McNally: large enough to spread apart with the length of your arm, red lines squiggled in every direction to show which roads to take. That’s my thought process. I went to college for Psychology and Studio Art, so I launched a custom artwork business for a little while. When that didn’t pick up enough traction, I spun off into sewing: I love to sew. Handmade children’s clothing was the name of that game, until I had my own children (ironically enough). Later, I went back to school to complete my MBA, and realized what I did wrong: I didn’t solve enough customers’ problems with my product offerings. So, my most recent side hustle is to provide freelance marketing services to other side hustles. I want others to find success without making the same mistakes that I did before I learned how to create a small business framework and marketing story brand. Freelance marketing is a business that evolved, like following the roads on a highway map, where there’s no “right” way as long as all roads lead forward.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Marketing Manager with over 15 years of experience serving nonprofits and local government. Currently, I work for a private school as a one-woman marketing shop, but am searching for my next big role to pivot out of nonprofits. Since I have many in my network with great ideas for side hustles, I’ve been consulting on business development and marketing strategy. After graduating, I went into full immersion mode and have been looking for all the best things in the field of Marketing to upskill. Adding certifications that are relevant to my role such as Google Analytics and Content Marketing through Hubspot Academy have been a priority when I’m not teaching others about marketing basics.

Having navigated the “multiple irons in the fire” mode-of-operating for several years in nonprofits, I am comfortable in fostering forward growth in objectives that have many moving parts. Recent challenges in the realm of “not accepting failure” have included navigating the merger of two schools in the Valley as chief communicator on behalf of both leadership teams, raising over $2M in funds working as a Marketing Director for a nonprofit, completing my MBA as a full-time student, and personally navigating the uphill process of growing my family – all while building my freelance business strategy and working full time as a Marketer in a one-woman department.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Tough question – I have only lived in the valley for 4 years, so I don’t feel like I know nearly enough local spots to have a good gauge on where to go. My shortlist would include:

– Pizzeria Bianco, bonus if it’s paired with a baseball game or visit to the museum
– Mingle and Graze, and
– Hidden House

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents. Throughout every step of the way – whether it was supporting my tuition in art school, encouraging my creative pursuits, or cheering me on through grad school – my parents have always been ready to lend and ear and empathize with my learning journey.

Website: laurahippensteel.com

Instagram: @lahippensteel, @liketwoesinapod

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/lahippensteel

Twitter: @lahippensteel

Facebook: facebook.com/lahippensteel

Image Credits
Ivy Studios Photography University of Arizona