Live, Laugh, Love with JesuisLaureen

Laureen Redhead, creator of the lifestyle blog, JesuisLaureen is a small island girl hailing from beautiful Grenada. She migrated to the United States in 2002 to attend the prestigious Medgar Evers College. While at Medgar Evers, she earned a degree in Applied Business Management and is excited to pursue her entrepreneurial endeavors.
Laureen is a lover of life who is always seeking adventure, experiences, and ways she can make a difference to others. One of her blogs’ goals is to destroy limiting beliefs that most Caribbean people hold, hindering them from fully enjoying their island. These socialized beliefs denote barriers to what they can and cannot partake in, within their own country. Currently, she is working on ways to eliminate the obstructive barriers that keep Caribbean’s local and abroad from living their best lives. She is also focused on self-love and maintaining good health, and fitness.

RB: Tell us about your Caribbean background, where are you from, etc.
LR:  I am from the lovely island of Grenada. I migrated to the US to study when I was 18. In my teenage years I couldn’t wait to get out of Grenada. Growing up and experiencing life in America made me much able to appreciate the simplicity and relaxing lifestyle that my little rock has to offer. I look forward to visit every chance I get. It is such a refreshing escape from the hustle, bustle and crazy climatic changes here in New York. Grenada is dear to my heart and I am always sharing its beauty with all every chance I get.

RB: What was the inspiration for JeSuis Laureen?
LR:  Jesuislaureen grew from my first blog “Live, Laugh, Love” which I had for a few years on blogger.com. It was a private blog, which I used as an online journal. As time past I found myself drawn to other bloggers and realized there was a substantial blogging world out there than my little hideout. This inspired me to step out and recreate my space and share it with the world. Wanting to be legit, I purchased my domain and Jesuislaureen came to life. The name sparked from the online “I am” movement. I am a fan of the French language; there is a sophisticated air to it that I wanted for myself. Therefore instead of plain “I am Laureen,” I chose to brand my blog, Je Suis Laureen. During this time I was going through a period of reckoning and devotion to self-love and constant affirmation of WHO I am. I wanted to share my journey in hopes of gaining strength and inspiration for others and myself. This purpose evolved and at present, I have found added inspiration in my travels back to my homeland that I now share. I’ve been exploring, discovering and reintroducing Grenadians, locals and abroad as well as potential visitors to the awesomeness that is Grenada. My aspiration is to change the concept of “tourist things” vs “local things.” There are no boundaries that separate tourists from locals and so I think the socialized mentality needs to be changed. Everyone can share and be apart of the “vacay” experience right where they live.

RB: As a blogger how do you set yourself apart from your contemporaries?
LR:  By keeping my space authentic and simply being Laureen. My brand colors, and my style of content writing highlight my mellow, lighthearted, fun loving spirit. I try to only be inspired by, but not mimic anyone else in the blogging community. Being authentic, sharing my own voice and lifestyle experiences is important to me. I enjoy writing visually stimulating pieces for my audience because I would like for them to feel like they are there with me, apart of the ride. Being relatable is significant because I want my audience to be able to identify with me.

RB: There is a lot of entrepreneurial activity happening in Grenada at the moment. Why do you think this is?
LR:  Growth is essential and I think that Grenadians are just trying to pursue opportunities to generate income for themselves. The job market is scarce, and entrepreneurship has become a popular topic throughout the world. With more information made accessible through technology, people are exploring ways of becoming financially independent.

 

RB: Would you like to use your blogging platform to launch another business?
LR:  Most definitely! It is in the works.

RB: Where do you see JeSuis Laureen 5 years from now?
LR:  Within 5 years, JesuisLaureen would be an established Caribbean Lifestyle Brand. Catering events, group trips, and staycations around the Caribbean region for both locals and visitors interested in having a unique Caribbean experience. My blogging platform will continue curating these intimate and intuitive experiences and afford the opportunity to shop exclusive deals from partners and my merchandise line.

RB: Describe to us the life of a blogger.
LR:  Blogging demands time, patience, and creativity. It incorporates marketing, building brand awareness, growing a genuine audience and much more. A blog needs tons of cultivating and a sense of direction for it to blossom.
I’ve had to work on my consistency and proud to be doing much better with that. Frustration and feelings of wanting to give up show its ugly face at times. Those feelings and insecurities surface as a result of comparing myself to others. Recognizing this flaw makes it easier to adjust my thoughts and refocus. Comparing is the devil; don’t do it lol. Authenticity is not in line with comparisons. Therefore, I remind myself of my “WHY” and keep it moving.

RB: What encouragement do you have for others who would like to kick off their blogging career?
LR:  GO FOR IT! Be clear about your WHY. Be authentic and enjoy the ride because you just never know where it would take you.