Meet Lauren Ready | Speaker, Video Producer, Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Ready and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I have always said you have to take risk to make change and reach your goals. Risks shouldn’t be made blindly but they must be done to move forward. I am realizing more and more that those risks take courage. And courage is something you also have to acknowledge in the process. Courage to get up everyday, so small things everyday, make big changes in the long run and don’t let fear hold you back! Every step of my career has involved some level or risk. And I am grateful to have surrounded myself with people who support me in taking the risks that have gotten me here today!

I have learned about stoicism and philosophy. Those virtues have helped me take calculated risks with less anxiety and worry. When you focus on what might happened, the likelihood of it happening and what you’ll do if and when it does happen…it makes everything easier.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Forever Ready Productions works to tell mission-driven stories for nonprofits and businesses, so that you can realize and harness your collective purpose and impact. We do that specifically by working with nonprofits and small businesses to inspire impact through video. Those stories change hearts, perspectives and communities. Ultimately hoping to break the cycle of negative stories, sensational headlines and divided communities.

I started my career as a TV reporter and worked in Iowa, Nebraska and Memphis before landing taking the leap to start my own business. I was tired of telling negative (and sometimes sensational) stories about my community. It was fear mongering and dividing. I needed a change for my own soul. So I started my own company, which isn’t for everyone!

I truly believe inspiring impact through video. I believe that when we learn more about other people and their story, we better understand ours and how it fits into the world. I believe that stories don’t have to be perfect to be shared with the world.

My zone of genius is truly in seeing stories all around me. Sometimes the stories are things I wish everyone could and would fight for. And sometimes they are simply stories that inspire us. Either way, they have impact.

Our stories are also Emmy Award winning. We’ve received four Regional Emmys for our work in the Memphis area. Our documentaries have won several festival awards as well. I am also a Part 107 Certified drone pilot. I love taking pictures and video from the sky. It’s such a unique perspective and a reminder that changing perspectives is a gift.

Mission focused: That’s my motto.

We make things you’ll be proud to share!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Memphis? I’d take them to all the real places…not just what you read about in a tourism magazine. I love taking visitors to the riverfront. We have several parks along the river. A good sunrise or sunset walk always makes you feel alive.

The rest of our trip would be spent visiting STAX, the National Civil Rights Museum, Overton Shell for a free concert and a walk on Broad Avenue Arts District in Binghampton.

We would spend most of our time eating tremendous food. Starting with BBQ (because that’s what we’re known for). I prefer Central BBQ but everyone has an opinion, so we’d probably go to several. Then I’d make sure you get to stop at Uncle Lou’s for the best fried chicken on the planet.

We’d also do some fine dining downtown. Likely stopping at Grey Canary or Catherine & Mary’s. We might hit up a show at the Orpheum too.

To burn off the calories of all that food, we’d stop by Memphis Rox Climbing Gym and you’d see why I love this place so much. It’s a nonprofit climbing gym with a mission to serves the needs of the community while building community around climbing. I love being there and you will too!

I would most certainly have my camera with us, we’d take pictures and videos of our adventure together. And I’m certain we’d fly my drone somewhere!

I’d make sure you left with a true understanding of Memphis history, food and love.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have the most supportive family. My dad has always been a coach to me. My mom always cheering for my success and my husband constantly supporting all my crazy ideas and desires to keep reaching goals! Not to mention my son (who’s 4). He drives so much of what I do! I know…that’s more than one person. 🙂

Website: laurenready.com

Instagram: LaurenIsReady and ReadySheDrones

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenmready/

Twitter: ReadySheDrones

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurenIsReady

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmdkt5652Kd1I4ThryIZrnQ