Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Lynn Miles.
Hi Laura, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
When I became an empty nester in 2014, I wanted to do something for myself! Having raised 3 children very close in age we ran from morning to night they played everything, we coached everything and I volunteered for everything! It was “me“ time now and I had always wanted to write a book so decided I’d start with a blog about friendship, positivity, and light humor about life as we know it. I would just see how that goes first…so in March 2015 was the birth of the Mermaids and Mimosas Facebook page! I thought it would be fabulous if I at least could get to 200 followers (asking friends and family to join if they could) and to my amazement I was at 5000 followers in a matter of months. (Today we are at about 21,000 followers). Instagram came shortly after and I was now navigating the waters of social media learning as I went along!
With all this positivity and amazing feedback, I thought well maybe I’ll create a logo and stick it on some merchandisable things, as everyone was loving the Mermaids and Mimosas vibe! I hired a (patient) graphic designer who helped me with my vision, created my iconic logo, and the launch of the Mermaids and Mimosas brand was born in August of 2016. At first, just selling my cotton shirts to friends and family, I threw in a few green markets and seafood festivals and it became a fun hobby! I then decided to create our famous sun shirts (after a customer suggested it) using the hashtag #girlswhofish and then, well, again to my amazement it ran like wildfire from there. I was able to leave my corporate job of 18 years in June of 2017, created my on self-titled Sea-E-O position and never looked back! We created a website, started consigning to local stores then came the wholesale game and we are now in several stores.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Small business is not for the faint of heart…You learn to be a jack, in this case, a jill of all trades like marketing, and don’t get me started on social media and keeping up with all the new fads (music, voiceover, Reels, TikTok), office management, accounting (Thank you Lord I have an amazing accountant now), customer service and you no longer have a guaranteed income (oof!)
Some days you are on top of the wave riding into the sunset, amazed and proud of yourself and all you’ve accomplished! Then there will be days you want to throw in the towel, wave your little white flag, and sit on the floor and cry! But instead, you have to remember your “why” and remind yourself. This is your dream and only you know how to make that dream come true!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sooo I create sun protection clothes for the active girl that enjoys fishing, boating, paddle boarding, surfing or just looking cute! I’m kinda known for being a mermaid! No, but seriously if people do not know my name they will yell out “Mermaid“!
I am very proud of myself for not only owning a small, successful business but that I built it from the ground up!
I JUST launched my marketing/social media company, Salty Mermaid Marketing the beginning of this year and will be launching a new podcast very soon with my lifelong best friend called “Between the Lines” about everything you are thinking and not asking the right person regarding insurance, real estate, starting your own business etc as well as some amazing guests promoting their small local businesses and keeping you up with current events! Instagram: https://between_the_lines_fla
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
For those that do not know…I began Mermaids and Mimosas at age 50! You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream! At the end of the day, I wouldn’t want to be doing anything or being anywhere else!
Contact Info:
- Website: mermaidsandmimosasofpb.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mermaidsandmimosasofpb/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/mermaidsandmimosasofpb/
