Karen Lawrence knows all too well the frustrations of creative entrepreneurs trying to balance marketing and self-promotion tasks with the desire to simply focus on doing what they love. Karen is a published author and has spent the last six years working in the extremely competitive and ever-changing music and publishing industries as a music manager and assistant to a book publicist. She also has worked as an advocate for local small businesses as part of a Main Street program in Staunton , VA.
She formed KLCreative Media after hearing the same mantra from nearly all the creative entrepreneurs she met. “Agents and publicists are too expensive and I HATE doing this for myself!” With thirty years experience in administrative services and small business management, Karen brings a wealth of real-world expertise, plus specific business development,book and music marketing, booking, tour management and public relations skills to KLCreative. She also possesses a unique ability to help clients crystallize their ultimate goals, find the right tools to assist them with their efforts, and guide them toward making their dreams reality.
In the early stages of her career, Karen studied English at Old Dominion University, graduating with a B.A. in 1980. She helped organize literary events and worked as a student journalist throughout high school and college, and contributed as editor and columnist to local newspapers and other student publications.
In 1981, Karen joined the United States Army. She graduated with honors from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA and was commissioned as a Personnel and Administrative Services Officer. During her first posting at Fort Ord, CA she held positions as Chief, Administrative Services Division, Executive Officer for Headquarters Company and Assistant Chief of Personnel in a unit of over 1200 officers and soldiers. Karen was promoted to Captain in 1985 and received numerous commendations.
While raising a family during the 1990’s, Karen held several management positions in privately-owned retail establishments and restaurants, deciding to launch out on her own as a freelance writer in 2005. Karen’s articles and photographs have appeared in national and regional magazines such as Spirituality and Health, BackHome and The Herb Quarterly, and she is currently publishing a memoir that merges the science of the effects of childhood trauma on brain development and memory with her personal experiences growing up.
When she’s not helping other creative entrepreneurs or working on her own writing projects, Karen can be found enjoying the natural surroundings of her Shenandoah Valley home or attending one of the many live music or cultural events in the area. Karen believes Joseph Campbell’s ”follow your bliss” is the key to true happiness and fulfillment in life, and has adopted the Rumi quote “Let the beauty we love be what we do” as her personal motto. She hopes she can help her clients do the same.
To request a free consultation, email karen.lawrence@yahoo.com or phone (540)466-0059.
