Meet Lauren Schuchman | Advertising Rep (And Recovering Actress)

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

Hi Lauren, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Paying my bills! Haha. No – I had been in a short-lived business partnership, but really knew nothing at the time about running a business (or being a partner for that matter). I didn’t know what questions to ask, what to put in writing, how to safeguard myself, etc., and ended up getting kinda screwed out of all but one client. I call it my ‘Jerry Maguire’ goldfish moment: “Who’s coming with me?” I had no choice but to hustle. I took meetings with anyone willing and as word got around, I began to not only make the calls but receive them too. I realized then that I’d been in the industry long enough and had enough experience and relationships to learn from my mistakes and start my own thing the RIGHT way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Well I’m a total Virgo when it comes to business. Detail-oriented, industrious, thorough… I do my homework. But something I’ve learned along the way, personally and professionally is that it’s supposed to be FUN. And if it’s not, then find something else that is. (And ps if you’re not having fun, there’s a good chance no one else around you is either.) I think it can be hard for people, women especially, to work hard while maintaining a sense of lightness and ease. I definitely spent a good few years struggling to find my way professionally and unconsciously letting that color the rest of my world. As an aspiring actress I worked several odd jobs at a time, letting the whole rejection thing have its way with my whole sense of self. Even as I worked my way up in advertising from rep assistant to coordinator to talent rep to now talent rep firm owner, I had to learn to keep my ego in check. Because I discovered the hard way that failing to do so eliminates the ability to be fully present. And it is only in the present moment where we find joy. So yeah, I genuinely enjoy what I do, and I think that’s apparent to those around me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a born and bred Angeleno. Something I love about this place is that there are always new things to find. LA is built over desert, a metropolis expanding horizontally and not vertically like New York or other city centers. I’ve spent nearly all my life here and I’m still finding cool new things. But as a native I’m a sucker for history and tradition. If I were showing LA to visiting friends we’d definitely need to do the beach – something like County Line or Topanga followed by some fresh seafood at Neptune’s Net. Can’t do LA without a hike, right? I like Sandstone Peak, the highest summit in the Santa Monica Mountains. I also love the Griffith Observatory at night, the way it lights up the whole sky and city below. For museums I’m partial to the Norton Simon. Their Renaissance collection is pretty great, and it’s much more chill than LACMA or The Broad. As modern as the city is, I quite enjoy older establishments like Dan Tana’s or Dear John’s for dinner. Shatto 39 Lanes bowling alley in Koreatown or Jumbo’s Clown Room in Hollywood also don’t disappoint for fun group outings. I’ve got old service industry friends tending bar at Jones Hollywood and The Roger Room so a stop at either for cocktails. We’d probably need to temper said cocktails with a late night reuben at Canter’s Deli.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Not only have I made some of my closest friends through advertising, but I’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside some really exceptional people. My first job in ads was at fellow representation firm Resource LA under Dana Balkin and Raquel Elfassi, two powerhouse women I still kinda want to be when I grow up. I then moved into the production sector where women like Executive Producers Lizzie Schwartz and Laura Macauley showed me what the rare combination of true grit and grace looks like. Today, I am proud to call women like Lisa Houck, Pixie Acia, and Teri Weinberg my friends. I’m not sure any of them realize how much they inspire me, on personal and professional levels. Lots of ladies here – I love it!

Website: https://www.diplomatreps.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diplomatreps

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-s-08705719