02 | Loran Wilson, Systems Strategist & Service Provider Coach
MEET EXPECTING CEO LORAN WILSON, SYSTEMS STRATEGIST & SERVICE PROVIDER COACH
Have you ever felt out of place for not being in a rush to start a family? Maybe you’ve been married for a while or have simply reached that “age” where family members just can’t seem to hold their tongue… I can’t help but be grateful for social media, because it’s the one place where we can (refreshingly) find people who are comfortable taking their time. And many of those people happen to be CEOs.
Leave it to someone that’s built a company from the ground up to be confident in saying… hold up, not just yet! And confident still to say… okay now is the time. Our guest, Loran Wilson, is one of those CEOs.
Loran Wilson is a business coach and systems strategist helping women rebuild their authority from the inside out so that they can build a brand with sustainability & predictability.
WHERE IS SHE IN HER EXPECTING JOURNEY TODAY?
Actively trying to conceive
In business for 3+ years
NO REASON TO RUSH
There’s something magical about living your life with your partner. You know the time when you’re totally in love and your energy is typically wrapped up in making career moves, enjoying each other's company, and building a life you can be proud of. Throw in semi-consistent vacations and it’s honestly so enjoyable it’s only natural to start to question… do we want to change this?
For Loran and her husband, the answer wasn’t automatic. As time passed by and they approached their mid-thirties, the conversation shifted. It became a decision they both desired to be 100% in on once made.
As we discussed what it was like to decide to start trying to conceive Loran was totally transparent as she told me it all boiled down to a question, “How are we gonna feel in five years when we’re chillin’ or however many years when we’re done with all the things that you do as younger people, are we going to regret not having a child?”
For them, the answer was yes. And so began Loran’s journey as an Expecting CEO.
A PEDICURE WITH A SIDE OF WISDOM
Now that Loran and her husband are #ttc, her environment has shown her that things are in alignment… friends and colleagues are all popping up pregnant or also trying to conceive.
One day, Loran was getting a pedicure and the conversation veered into the child-raising territory. After listening to Loran share some of her fears she said, “Why don’t you think of a child as an enhancement to your life?” That question got her thinking about how prior to starting her journey she was inundated with negative messaging around motherhood.
That nugget of wisdom led Loran to seek out more positive messaging around pregnancy, motherhood, and everything that comes with it. She told me, “I love that you are coming out with these affirmation cards because it’s a testament to the way we need to speak about motherhood and having children and being particularly careful about how we speak to women who have not had a child yet… I’m in a space right now where I want to be celebrated and supported.”
TRYING NOT TO RUSH WHEN YOU’VE DECIDED YOUR READY
It’s tricky the way our brain jumps ten steps ahead once it decides it wants something. It becomes tempting to live in the dream of the future, rather than enjoying the beauty of the present. Loran shared with me, “I spent all these years not trying and not that I am trying I feel like this should just happen.”
Suddenly, being surrounded by others on this journey was more than the universe showing she was in alignment… it became a mindset challenge in itself. Loran shared the cognitive dissonance of being content, but wanting more, seeing others have it, being happy for them, and simultaneously being anxious/excited for her own journey to continue to unfold.
Trying not to rush once you’ve decided you’re ready is difficult. Loran’s method is to continue to surround herself with positivity, but also avoid indulging in reading the books, the blogs, and anything that adds unnecessary external pressure. Instead, she opts to continue to live her beautiful life in the moment saying, “Personally, I try to go about my day to day and not even really think about it. In my business, I’m shifting the way I think about what I do (as a coach), because you can’t pass a coaching business down to a baby.”
FINDING GRATITUDE AT THIS STAGE
Building a thriving business, having a well-rounded personal life… there’s a lot to be grateful for.
In the past few years, Loran has built a thriving career as a systems strategist and expanded into business coaching for other operations experts. When we discussed what she’s most grateful for in her business 3 years into that journey Loran said, “I didn’t fall into a lot of trendy things… I build a really solid foundation in my business almost from day one.”
Speaking of foundational, therapy has thankfully emerged as a necessary part of any human’s health regimen (whenever possible) and Loran has made it a priority. She expressed her gratitude towards therapy saying, “I know that it is going to change the way I show up around my child, change the way I behave around my child, and change habits that I pass down to my child.”
A WORD TO OTHER WOMEN TRYING TO CONCEIVE
Loran’s biggest piece of advice is to get the support you need at whatever stage you’re in. Whether it’s a therapist, friends, or a community it’s crucial to surround yourself with people who can support you as you deal.
She also shared a bit of tough love, “You’re going to have to ask for what you need.”
FEATURED EXPECTING CEO AFFIRMATION
Today’s Expecting CEO affirmation is:
I trust that my path as a parent will serve to enrich my path as a business owner.
Remember, an affirmation is only as powerful as the practice it’s attached to. We encourage you to post this somewhere you can see today, use it as your meditation mantra, or even use it as a journal prompt!
Expecting CEO journal prompt:
Loran shared how rethinking her business in terms of legacy has shifted her professional aspirations. What decisions can you make in preparation of parenthood to impact and enrich the future of your company?
CONNECT WITH LORAN:
WEBSITE: www.loranelisecollective.com
INSTAGRAM: @loranelisecollective
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loranwilson/
