Celebrating solo success

Pictured above: Lauren Parsons.

From professional speaking and executive coaching to in-house training and online courses, Lauren Parsons’ holistic approach to business has seen her practice thrive, and in the process she’s helped empower leaders and teams to flourish.

Based in Palmerston North, Lauren Parsons is a Wellbeing Specialist who focuses on enhancing workplace environments to promote both wellbeing and productivity. Combining her background in wellness and coaching, with a business degree and over 20 years experience, Lauren’s mission is driven by a deep belief that “everyone deserves to thrive”. 

Through her coaching practice, launched in 2008, Lauren creates conditions where individuals can flourish, ultimately benefiting their entire organisation. “I believe everyone wants to do a good day’s work, to return home satisfied and be able to switch off and recharge. That’s always the goal. If we can lift both productivity and wellbeing, everyone wins,” she says, emphasising the interconnectedness of personal and professional success.

Through her diverse offerings – ranging from inspirational keynote speeches and in-house training to online courses and executive coaching – Lauren empowers leaders and teams with the tools necessary to foster a thriving workplace culture. Her work addresses significant challenges faced by organisations, including high staff turnover, absenteeism, and low engagement.

A holistic approach to wellbeing

Lauren’s approach to workplace wellbeing is holistic, centered around her Five Live Well Principles, which enhance both physical and mental health. “Everything I do is tailored for busy people in the modern world,” she notes. “I focus on the most effective time-saving approaches combined with a human psychology and habit change model that creates lasting positive change.”

Last year, she released her book Thriving Leaders Thriving Teams, a practical guide that provides leaders with a blueprint for creating a thriving workplace culture. “Delivering a one-off resilience workshop is great, but it won’t change the fundamentals of a workplace’s culture,” Lauren says. Her book is designed to fill this gap, offering actionable insights and bonus resources that make it easy for leaders to implement change. “People tell me the best thing is that they can download all the bonus resources and use the templates, checklists, and scorecards with their teams.”

Lauren’s entrepreneurial journey is marked by a commitment to personal and professional growth. Her experience writing Thriving Leaders Thriving Teams not only highlights her expertise but also her desire to impact the workplace culture significantly. “My first book was actually Real Food Less Fuss, a nutrition book I brought out in 2016. The second came about because I could see the need for leaders to have a blueprint outlining how to build a thriving team culture,” she explains.

This new book is not just theoretical; it is filled with practical advice and inspiring stories, making it an accessible resource for leaders seeking to improve their teams. “I’ve been rapt with the feedback it’s received,” she says, clearly passionate about the positive impact her work has on others.

Earlier this year, and after a three-year journey, Lauren became New Zealand’s first Accredited Speaker (one of only 95 ever awarded worldwide). This prestigious designation was awarded by Toastmasters International, and recognises outstanding Professional Speakers who perform at the highest level.

Building a brand with purpose

Running a solo business can often be a lonely endeavour, but Lauren emphasises the importance of building a support network. “I have a fantastic VA, Evelyn, who is super switched on, a supportive husband to bounce ideas with, and an amazing business coach,” she says. 

Her involvement with the Professional Speakers Association (PSANZ) and Toastmasters International has also been invaluable. “These organisations are full of fantastic people. I think we all need coaching, inspiration, and input from others,” she says, highlighting the significance of community in her journey.

From the outset, Lauren has focused on creating a strong and clear brand identity. “I’ve gotten really clear on my why – my vision to equip leaders to boost both wellbeing and productivity, creating thriving workplaces.” Her values of “keeping it real”, “over delivering”, “elevating”, and “inspiring action” guide her interactions with clients and her branding efforts.

“I aim to be super easy to work with. I arrive early, I’m extremely audience-focused, and I always aim to delight and inspire people with much more than they expect.” Lauren understands that building a solo brand is ultimately about connecting with people. “Even though I work mostly business-to-business, at the end of the day, it’s a person who makes the decision whether to bring me in or not, so everything is about people – making it easy for them and solving their problems.”

On addressing workplace wellbeing challenges

In her dealings with clients, Lauren has identified significant challenges organisations face in ensuring employee wellbeing. “Burnout risk is higher than ever in New Zealand right now,” she warns. “The research shows that it’s being driven by insecurity and loneliness.” This growing concern underscores the need for leaders to foster a culture of connection and belonging within their teams. “Culture is key. Leaders need to invest in looking after their people.” The benefits are clear: “The results will be lower staff turnover, less absenteeism/presenteeism, and ultimately having loyal staff who stick with you for longer and perform at their best.”

Lauren strongly believes in the link between employee wellbeing and productivity. She highlights the importance of prioritising tasks effectively. “The key is teaching people how to prioritise what’s important over what’s urgent and in your face – but not that important. Those things can rob you of time.”

Communication also plays a crucial role in establishing boundaries. “It is possible to work smarter and have better boundaries when you communicate them well.” For Lauren, the first step is shifting one’s mindset, “and everything flows from that”. 

The David Awards 2024 winner

Category: Solo Meo Award

Company: Lauren Parsons WellBeing

Judges’ comments: “What stood out about Lauren is just the sheer breadth of knowledge she has. She’s an expert across many different channels.”

Finalists: KiwiBoss; Mrs Priestley ICT; The Farm Shop; The Alternative Bread Company; Think Folk Marketing and Communications

This article was originally published in the October 2024 issue of NZBusiness magazine. To read the issue, click here.