Daily Inspiration: Meet Laura Milham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Milham.

Hi Laura, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started my career as a college professor in Orange County. After facing being laid off only 2 years into my career during the 2007 recession, I decided to combine my knowledge of bartending and teaching and open The Southern California Bartending School. Over the past 12 years I have worked as a concept manager at LAX, opened staffing agencies in Orange County and and Las Vegas and worked as a Bar and Restaurant Advisor for the Small Business Development Center at Long Beach City College.

Currently, I work remotely as a business advisor, manager/operator at the bartending school and staffing agency and am a single momma to twin 1 year-olds. I love being able to help people learn a trade that will earn them a liveable wage with the rapid pace of inflation. I also love being able to teach local small business owners better/new ways to grow, find resources and succeed.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being laid off 2 years into beginning my career as a college professor was extremely challenging and left me with 3 choices- start an entry level position in a different career, enroll in a doctoral program or start a business and figure it out.
I opted to open a business and make it work, no matter that. Creating a successful business not having any business experience was difficult and led to some hefty learning curves. I am proud to still be in business over a decade later with over 500 5-star reviews across Google and Yelp.

A second major road block came during the pandemic when both of my businesses shut down for a period of 12 months. This closure led to another pivot in beginning a career as a Bar and Restaurant advisor. During the pandemic, I was able to assist hundreds of local small businesses navigate resources and secure millions of dollars in loans, forgivable loans and grants.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am most proud to have created a life for myself that allows me to support my twins and have flexibility with my work schedule.
What sets me apart is my relentlessness, adaptability, commitment, resiliency, courage to try new things and willingness to pivot.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Spending weekends with my Grandmother in Silverlake, sleeping on her waterbed, eating Chinese food on Sunset ave, driving down the 101 blasting Randy Newmans “I love LA,” and visiting the ponies at Griffith park.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.socalbarschool.com
• Instagram: @southerncabartendingschool
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSouthernCaliforniaBartendingSchool/
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lauramilham
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/southern-california-bartending-school-anaheim