Laura Lohk is a lawyer, consultant and business woman.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
Pretty tough. I came from a very poor and unstable background. I only had one parent who struggled to look after me properly and had severe mental health issues. Academically I really struggled in school (in fact I was known as the stupid kid) and I started to struggle with my mental health. There was also a 10 year or so period where I was homeless. I was ‘sofa surfing’ and even had to take shelter in a charity shop sleeping on top of a pile of clothes as there was nowhere else to sleep. I often went without a proper meal, so overall I was really struggling.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
I have always been very driven and ambitious, so when I achieved my long term dream of becoming a lawyer (just to show everyone that believed that I was the stupid kid that I can become a lawyer, if I work hard) I felt like I want to be involved with something else to develop in another area which I had interest in.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
Mindset. Our thoughts and beliefs guide our decisions, so if someone thinks and believes that they can’t do something, they are right, because that belief closes the door to them trying to take any action. Our mind can quite literally change the world, make us happy, healthy and wealthy. Unfortunately, we don’t use all of its advantages.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
I am very pleased that we are moving towards the right way. We are definitely not there yet as some industries are jobs are still something that are male dominated, but it’s definitely getting better. It’s nice to see powerful, ambitious and amazing women quite simply ‘rocking the world’. Long may this continue
What’s the most important thing you have learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
No matter what your background, education, social status, if you really want to achieve something, you can. Provided you have the desire and grit to keep at it even if times are challenging. My motto: “I can, I will. Watch me”
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Because of my background and the fact that I wasn’t ‘academically gifted’ I was told many times that I won’t be able to achieve something. My English teacher and friends told me that I won’t be able to move to the UK because I can’t speak English. But I did. My ex husband told me I won’t be able to become a lawyer because I’m not very clever, I am a woman and a foreigner. But I did and went on to work my way up to a leadership role before I was even qualified. If you really want to achieve something and if you have real passion for someone, it’s a good idea to pursue it even if your friends and loved ones give you different advice.