Lauren Briles Furman University Alumni

Lauren Briles '02

— Franchise Owner

Your relationships with people are the most important and valuable resources for any and all professional development. In a world driven by technology, the human touch is even more important than ever.

 


Personal/Professional Journey


How did you find your way to where you are today? Share a little about your professional journey.

My career path has truly been a journey and hopefully always will be. Currently, I am the franchise owner of Primrose School of Greenville, a mother, wife, real estate instructor, investor and broker, entrepreneur, and community volunteer.

From an early age, I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Both of my parents are business owners and instilled the desire to work hard and pursue my dreams. Originally, I thought I wanted to own a restaurant or hotel. As I became older and wiser, I realized neither of those paths fit my strengths.

My career began in advertising at Erwin-Penland in Greenville, SC, where I learned many lessons and forged solid relationships with talented people. Next, I stepped into residential real estate following in my mother’s footsteps. After three years of practicing under a local brokerage, I went out on my own and started The Briles Company in 2007. Starting my first business required a tenacity to work through unforeseen challenges. In 2010, I began teaching real estate courses at Wyatt Institute. Teaching has required a high level of preparation to lead students through required material and allowed me to share my experiences and learn from others.

The year 2011 marked the birth of my daughter and in August 2014, I opened the first Primrose School in South Carolina. My husband, Tim, has been a vital part of the journey and we share a passion for entrepreneurship. My career would be quite different without his incredible support.
What inspires you?

God has inspired me to be the best “me” I can be. I strive to improve the community through the people I interact with each day. I am inspired by what God is able to accomplish through us as we work together.



Within the field


When providing advice for professional development, what are some tools or resources one should consider?

PEOPLE! Your relationships with people are the most important and valuable resources for any and all professional development. In a world driven by technology, the human touch is even more important than ever. When researching the possibility of opening a Primrose School in Greenville, I met with a variety of individuals and organizations to decide if it was viable, feasible, and needed. Primrose School of Greenville would never have become a reality without the interaction and help from city representatives, financial institutions, business owners, community leaders, and a plethora of others.
How have mentors impacted your professional development? How did you develop those relationships?

People are the most important ingredient of professional development. Mentors have been critical in helping to open and close doors along my journey. Many community leaders have been willing to sacrifice their time for my benefit and I am grateful for their time and advice. In order to forge productive mentor relationships, I had to ask for help. The first and sometimes hardest step is getting over the fear of asking someone you respect and admire to help you in your career journey.



For someone just getting started


What do you wish you would have known getting started in your field?

Each step of my journey has been fueled by a previous decision that took me in a particular direction. I thrive on change and growth, and do not spend time meditating on what I wish I would have known. Instead, I look back and see what I learned from each step. There have been challenges throughout my experiences, and I grow to appreciate them because each one has brought me to where I am today.
How could Furman help with getting someone started?

The majority of Furman students want to change the world and that is amazing. However, changing the world does not happen overnight and requires starting at the bottom. I think it is important for students to get a real life view of what they think that they want to do because reality can be quite different. Connecting students to and preparing them for life after Furman is a critical need.



Furman University


How has your liberal arts background shaped your career path or supported your success?

Because Furman requires each student to take a variety of core classes in many subjects, students are forced to learn about topics that never interested them before and discover their strengths and weaknesses. One of my favorite courses at Furman was public speaking, despite my natural apprehension surrounding the topic. However, my instructor was awesome and the principles learned in that class helped me become a more comfortable speaker.<br/.
An adjunct professor, Robyn Zimmerman, who was manager of public affairs and community relations at Greenville Health Systems at the time, taught a course that opened doors in my life. She provided the opportunity to learn about the business world while still being a student. Her course required us to serve in positions that worked with local non-profits while also practicing our “pitching” abilities. I was paired with A Child’s Haven and became an active volunteer with the organization after graduation because of the introduction.
What extracurricular activities helped you develop professionally?

One of the great attributes of being a Furman student is the opportunity you to participate in a variety of activities. I was a scholarship student-athlete, volunteer, Bible study leader, freshmen advisor, and sorority member. The majority of my time was spent playing soccer, which is what had the most impact on my college life. Because I had limited hours outside of my sport, I learned how to prioritize and operate efficiently—enabling me to make meaningful decisions and master multitasking.
 

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