Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Jones.
Lauren, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
The idea for The Light House was simple; I wanted a better resource for myself as I was a brand new Mom, living in a city that was massive but can feel very disconnected, where meet-ups with other new Moms isn’t always easy. When my daughter was born in early 2015, I was a self-admitted workaholic. Slowly, over time, as I found comfort and rhythm in my parenting, I realized how much the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” rang true.
The Light House really brings together all the things I value most in my own life – true community, genuine conversations and sharing of ideas. Over the last year or so I have hosted over a dozen gatherings of mothers in the Long Beach community. Most have been over a glass of wine and in the evening but others have been co-hosted by yoga instructors outside in the sunshine or along with local small business owners who focus on wellness and healthy living.
What is clear to me now, more than ever, is that parents really do yearn for in-person conversations and connections but often are limited by their careers or commutes or both. Having an online community and regular gatherings allows The Light House to be a little bridge for those that need it in Long Beach.
Has it been a smooth road?
Building an “online community” was not something I was an expert in, never really something I set out to do nor is it easy! What I struggled with initially was how to share the stories of local mothers authentically and in a way that would make other parents want to read about them. Working so closely with the incredible photographer, Lyndsey Yeomans of Jack & Lola Photography has made the stories come to life in ways that only amazing images can.
In addition, there were a few events I did at the beginning where only one or two parents would show up or none at all. I never ever let that get me down. I know parenting isn’t easy and even when you want to go places sometimes, your responsibility to take care of your little ones often gets in the way. Consistency has always been key in really connecting to this community and I’m glad I never gave up in those early days!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Light House story. Tell us more about the business.
I think what sets The Light House apart from other businesses geared towards parents is that we are open to everyone. Our model is based upon the gathering of like-minded parents who are genuinely interested in learning best practices for themselves and their little ones.
The Light House is not a single place either! Our events are held all around town to ensure that the most amount of Moms can feel included in whatever discussions we are having. As the community continues to grow, the direction of The Light House spreads.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I am not an expert in maternal health or wellness. I do, however, consider myself pretty well-versed in the way people celebrate, gather and share information. What I noticed even before I became a mother myself was that parents are not subscribing to age-old methods of doing exactly what the generation before them did.
I believe that the information-based gatherings and mini-workshops we host are only going to continue to become more prevalent in communities all over as parents seek to connect directly to the specialists and practitioners in their own community. The thirst for real-life connection paired with an increased awareness of taking care of oneself really is a powerful thing and I’m excited to see where this goes in the parenting world.
Pricing:
- Workshops typically cost between $25 – $35 a person to attend
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thelighthouselb.com
- Instagram: @thelighthouse_lb
Image Credit:
Lyndsey Yeomans, Jack & Lola Photography
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