Welcome to the very first So Can I Book Club episode! This month, we're diving into Every Summer After by Carley Fortune — a nostalgic, heart-tugging novel about first love and second chances. 

In this episode, Lauren shares:

• Why this book was the perfect first pick
• Her honest thoughts on the characters (Team Charlie, anyone?)
• A few things she didn’t love (hello, miscommunication trope 👀)
• Fun behind-the-scenes of her IRL book club weekend — including beaded bracelets, pierogies, and polaroids
• Book recs if you loved this one
• And… the August book club pick reveal! (Hint: it’s historical, emotional, and you might want tissues.)

📚 Want to join the book club convo? Tap the link in Lauren's Instagram bio to join the broadcast channel and follow along each month.

✨ Don't forget to leave a rating + review to help us grow and keep these episodes coming.

Today I am joined by Amy Kummer. Amy Kummer is the founder and principal designer of Amy Kummer Interiors, a boutique design firm known for its timeless, fresh traditional aesthetic. With a signature style that blends classic Southern charm, soft color palettes, and elegant details, Amy creates spaces that feel as warm and welcoming as they are beautiful.

Based in Houston Texas, Amy leads full-service residential projects for clients across the region and beyond, offering a thoughtful and highly personalized approach to every home she designs. Her work has been praised for its livable luxury—spaces that are as functional for families as they are refined.

In addition to running a successful design business, Amy is passionate about mentoring the next generation of creatives. She is the founder of a hands-on summer interior design camp for teen girls, where she shares her love for design and empowers young women to explore their own creativity.

Amy is also a proud mom, a devoted believer, and a firm believer in the power of beauty—not just in the design of a home, but in the moments we create within it. She credits her faith for guiding her through the unpredictable path of entrepreneurship and sees each project as an opportunity to serve others through creativity, kindness, and grace. 

Amy's Website

Amy's Instagram

We Choose Happy

Today I am joined by Carrie McDermott! Carrie is the founder of Sibley Creative, a consulting firm that helps emerging brands reach new markets through curated trunk shows, collaborations and branding. Carrie's scope ranges depending on the client -- some use her services for events like multi-city shopping events to get in front of new and existing customers. Other clients use her services in daily sense, consulting on business strategy, influencer collaborations and creative events. Carrie's background includes experience on the editorial side as an editor at Condé Nast, as well as the public relations side at companies like JCrew, Saks and Tory Burch. Merging these skill sets has led to great success in understanding how brands want to be seen and positioned in today's market.

Sibley's Instagram

CASA

In this episode of So Can I, Lauren chats about the importance of reviews/ratings for the podcast, exciting news regarding sponsorships, her new newsletter, and the So Can I book club!

Please leave a rating or review if you loved the episode! 

Today I am joined by Sam Gold! Sam is the founder and CEO of Motette, an elevated children’s brand known for its buttery-soft bamboo essentials designed with real mom feedback in mind. After years in the fashion and tech industries—including leading a seven-figure women’s clothing brand—Sam launched Motette while raising two young children and co-creating the brand alongside a deeply engaged community of moms.

In addition to growing Motette, Sam now offers strategic advisory services for emerging product-based businesses, helping other founders scale, build brand awareness, and navigate launch with confidence using the same scrappy, community-driven approach that led Motette to national media coverage and a successful debut. 

In this episode, Sam and I talk about how her previous work experience influenced her desire to start a business, how to actually launch a business, her Inner Circle -- a community of moms that have helped her co-create Motette, and so much more! 

Sam's Instagram

Motette's Instagram

Motette's Website

iMentor

Today I am joined by Ashley Temple! Ashley is tastemaker, mom of two young girls and a Frenchie who understands the importance of creating beautiful celebrations on a budget. With a keen eye for detail and a love for all things elegant, she curates innovative gift ideas, stylish party favors, and inspiring themed decor to make every event magical. 

Ashley's Website

Ashley's Instagram

Lupus Research Alliance 

Today I am joined by Karly Barker. Karly  is a Mom of four, a wife, a former tv anchor, a believer and now the founder of courtside kids an activewear brand specifically designed for the most active people in the world - kids. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Karly is originally from southern Utah where she gained a love for creating fashion of her own at a young age. She and her husband met at Brigham Young University after which Karly had a brief but wild career in broadcast news, interning at the Today Show and anchoring two shows before moving her family across the country, planting roots in the South and becoming a stay at home mom. She launched courtside kids in 2022 which has seen incredible year over year growth, launched on Nordstrom.com and is nearly 60 retailers nationwide. While Karly loves a beautiful fashion collection she is also a realistic Mom of four who is an open book about lifes challenges, can't seem to ever complete a load of laundry and claims to be a hot mess in a dress. Welcome to the show, Karly!

Courtside Kids Website

Courtside Kids Instagram

Breakthrough T1D

Today I am joined by Carly Hill. Carly is the founder of Carly A. Hill Communications and CarlyAHill.com. Originally from Traverse City. MI she has now lived in NYC for over 10 years. Her influencer management company CAHC celebrated 5 years this year, where she helps negotiate, pitch and manage influencer campaigns for her roster of 16 women. On the side, she loves to share her favorite fashion finds, travel guides and NYC recommendations on her blog and social channels, @carlyahill. 

In this episode, Carly and I talk about how she was laid off twice, why she started her business, the importance of making connections with people, what a day in the life of an influencer talent manager is like, and so much more!

Carly's Instagram

Carly's Website

CAHC Instagram

Concern Worldwide

Today I am joined by Andrea Wightwick! Andrea has over 20 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, specializing in strategy and portfolio growth for food and beverage brands. Her career highlights include launching iconic products like vitaminwater zero, Chobani Oatmilk, and Honest Kids and advising pet food brands such as Nestlé Purina, Rachael Ray Nutrish, and FreshPet. With a client roster exceeding 200 brands, Andrea has driven organic growth through innovative marketing strategies, from pioneering the first Amazon Go store to reshaping household consumption with creative packaging solutions like Siggi’s Skyr Yogurt Tubes.

In 2023, Andrea crafted Salty Seagull, the first bubble-free, low-calorie, non-alcoholic cocktail under the Hapsy brand. Designed to make every gathering inclusive and festive, Hapsy cocktails offer a vibrant alternative for those choosing to drink with or without alcohol.

Based in Atlanta with her husband and two children, Andrea also co-owns three additional businesses that provide IT support, cybersecurity, and AI-driven solutions to clients. She brings a wealth of expertise, creativity, and a forward-thinking approach to every venture she undertakes. 

Andrea's Website

Andrea's Instagram

Hapsy's Website

Hapsy's Instagram

Giving Kitchen

Day five of our special anniversary series and we are welcoming Mackenzie Biehl back on the show! Mackenzie and I spoke last fall and her episode quickly rose to be one of my most popular episodes. Mackenzie and I chatted about how she started her blog, why it's okay to be multi passionate, and how it is so important to give yourself time for things to actually work out.  This episode was incredibly impactful on me personally & also on the business side of this podcast. I think you all are going to love it!

Mackenzie is the wife to Taylor and Mom to two hilarious and sweet kids, Harper and Hudson and a goldendoodle Brody. With a background in sales and marketing,  Mackenzie embarked on a journey to build her own business through blogging and social media. Today, she is the founder and CEO of a media and marketing company specializing in food and lifestyle content.

Mackenzie is passionate about sharing innovative and attainable ideas that inspire others. Food and entertaining are her true loves, and she delights in crafting fresh, flavorful, and often healthy recipes that her family enjoys daily. From creating stunning floral arrangements to sharing easy hosting hacks, Mackenzie's goal is to provide approachable and exciting ideas to elevate everyday life.

Through her platforms, Mackenzie aims to inspire creativity and enhance the everyday experiences of her audience, offering insights and tips that empower them to create memorable moments and delicious meals.

Mackenzie has been in Delish, People, Mother.ly, Fox News, Country Living, New York Post, and more.

Mackenzie's Instagram
Mackenzie's Website
The Crescent Beach Challenge
Colorado Trail Foundation