Meet Lauren Schneider | Social Media Strategist + Content Creator

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

Hi Lauren, how do you think about risk?
For me, the role of risk-taking in both my career and my life is one and the same. It comes down to a simple philosophy: you never know if you don’t just try.

In social media, the risk isn’t just that a piece of content will fail. It’s the constant uncertainty of a landscape that changes every single day. The strategy isn’t to go viral; it’s to stay true to your company’s purpose and to be willing to take chances to get there. You have to be comfortable with a new reel getting only 20 views because that same effort might lead to a different video that truly connects with your audience. You have to keep trying new things and evolving, because if you aren’t growing, you’re standing still.

And I’ve found that the same principle applies to life. Real growth doesn’t happen with one big, dramatic moment. It happens in baby steps—with the courage to try something new, to be vulnerable, and to see what works. The real risk isn’t the failure; it’s the regret of not even trying in the first place.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always said that my business philosophy is “collaboratively bossy,” and I truly believe that’s what sets me apart. A lot of clients just want you to take over their social media and do whatever you want with it, but that’s not what community is all about. For me, it’s about having a clear vision—like an oldest sister who knows what’s best—while also making sure my clients and their audiences feel heard and valued. My work is not about creating content that is “aesthetically perfect” or “fake;” it’s about fostering genuine, long-term connections that stay true to a company’s purpose.

My career wasn’t a straight path. For a long time, I fought against the idea of being an entrepreneur, even though my dad, who is an entrepreneur, told me from day one that it was what I was meant to do. I put it off and worked for other people until I was laid off in 2020. All of a sudden, businesses started needing social media help, and I started saying yes to everything.

I’m incredibly proud that I have now been in business for myself for five years. My business was born during the global pandemic, and I’ve always told myself that if I can make a business flourish during a worldwide pandemic, I can pretty much do anything. Clients will come and go, but the hustle and the foundation are what’s most important.

Starting my business during that time was not easy. In the beginning, I had to learn the hard lesson that some people will expect you to do things for free, but this is my full-time job and what pays my bills. I had to learn how to stand firm and value my work, even if it meant losing a potential client.

Another big lesson I’ve learned is how to ask for help and delegate. I’m constantly cutting videos and putting together content for multiple clients at a time, and as much as I want to keep all of my money, it’s important for me to pay people to help me. I’ve had to learn how to not do everything myself so that I can continue moving and growing.

My journey has also taught me to listen to my own needs. I’ve realized that I can’t be a social chameleon anymore and that the real work is protecting my peace, my brain, and my mental health.

My success is not my own; it is the success of my community. I am a firm believer in the power of word-of-mouth marketing, and it’s how I’ve gotten almost all of my business. There was one point last year when I knew I needed to add a couple of clients, so I simply put a video on my personal Facebook page asking my community to support me and suggest me to local businesses who needed social media help. That post brought me clients I am still working with over a year later. My community has truly stepped up for me.

My brand is a testament to resilience and the power of an authentic story. It’s an honest account of my professional journey and my mental health journey converging into one. I want the world to know that it’s okay to not have it all figured out. It’s okay to be a work in progress. And it’s a beautiful thing to learn what you need, who you are, and to be brave enough to put yourself first.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would absolutely have my best friend visit during the month of May. There’s no better time to be in Indianapolis—the entire city transforms into a celebration unlike anything else.

First, I’d have my friend stay in a downtown Airbnb. I have a good friend who owns one, and it would be the perfect way to support a small business while being in the middle of all the action.

As a four-year ambassador for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy 500, my first priority would be to show them what “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” is all about. This isn’t just about a race; it’s a month-long celebration of our city’s heritage.

Our itinerary would be built around the Speedway itself:

We’d visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum to see the history and tradition up close.

We’d attend a practice to hear the roar of the engines and feel the energy building up on the track.

We’d check out some of the local events around town. It’s so fun to see restaurants do themed things during the month of May, and it’s a beautiful thing to witness neighborhoods decorating and hosting porch parties. The whole city just comes to life.

While May is all about the race, there’s so much more to Indianapolis that I’d want to show them. I’d use downtown as our home base to explore the city’s vibrant neighborhoods.

Food & Drink: I’d take them to the Fountain Square neighborhood to get a feel for the local arts scene and grab dinner at a fantastic local restaurant. We’d also have to make a stop at the Mass Ave district to grab some drinks and a meal at one of the many unique restaurants there.

Exploring the City: We’d spend time visiting some of the city’s other great spots, like the White River State Park, the Canal Walk, and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail that connects everything together.

By the end of the week, they would understand that the Indianapolis 500 is more than just the largest one-day sporting event in the world—it’s the soul of our city and a truly special experience to be a part of.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
For me, the biggest shoutout in my story goes to the very thing I’m committed to building every day: community.

On a professional level, my success as a marketing strategist isn’t about solo achievements; it’s about helping local businesses build an authentic community around their brand. I’ve found that my “collaboratively bossy” philosophy—having a clear vision while also making sure clients and their audiences feel heard—is built entirely on that foundation. The real win isn’t a viral post; it’s when a brand creates a loyal community that believes in its purpose.

On a personal level, the greatest growth I’ve experienced has also been thanks to the people around me. My journey with mental health and learning to protect my peace has been possible because of the community I lean on for support and encouragement. We learn from each other, we grow with each other, and we celebrate each other.

So, for me, there’s no single person or book. It’s a deep and lasting appreciation for the power of community—in business, in life, and in every beautiful, messy step of the journey.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenindy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenindy/

Image Credits
I wasn’t able to add more than the 2 photos…. please let me know how I can submit the rest.