The Woman Behind the Brand: Purpose, Pressure, and Building a Creative Agency

By Laurie Graham, Founder of Boss Babe Creative + Visuals

“You will never rise above your opinion of yourself.”— Dr. Shade Sarai

For a long time, I tried to be everyone’s hype girl.

Encouraging others came naturally to me—seeing people’s potential, casting vision, helping them believe bigger. But somewhere along the way, I realized that in lifting everyone else up, I had slowly lost sight of myself.

This blog—and the story behind it—is about purpose, pressure, leadership, and what it really takes to build a creative agency without burning out or losing your identity.

When Playing Small No Longer Fits

The final season of my corporate career was uncomfortable.

On the outside, everything looked fine. On the inside, I knew I was playing small. I felt opposition, pressure to conform, and a growing sense that I was no longer being true to who I was called to be.

That tension forced a decision.

I could either keep shrinking to fit expectations—or step into the unknown and build something of my own.

That was the beginning of Boss Babe Creative + Visuals.

Unlearning Hustle Culture and Redefining Leadership

One of the biggest lessons I had to learn was that true leadership doesn’t look like constant hustle.

Leadership is not:

• Waking up at 3:00 a.m. stressed

• Controlling every detail

• Doing everything yourself

• Burning out for the sake of success

Real leadership is relational before it’s functional—and before it’s transactional.

It’s about showing up for the people you serve. It’s about investing in yourself before expecting others to invest in you. It’s about building systems, trust, and sustainability instead of chaos.

Unlearning hustle culture was one of the most freeing (and hardest) shifts I’ve ever made.

The Reality of Working From Home as a Business Owner

Working from home is often glamorized, but the truth is—it can be lonely.

When you’re used to a daily commute, coworkers, and constant interaction, the quiet can feel isolating. But at the same time, working from home is incredibly freeing.

You gain clarity.

You gain flexibility.

You gain ownership of your time.

Like most things in business, it’s both challenging and beautiful.

Why Visuals Are Still Underestimated in Business

After decades in real estate, branding, and social media, one thing still surprises me: how often visuals are underestimated.

Realtors often miss how powerful visuals are for home stagers.

Home stagers often miss how to visually communicate their value to realtors.

Visuals aren’t just “pretty.” They are strategy. They are perception. They are trust.

Your visuals tell a story before you ever say a word—and that story directly affects how your business is perceived.

Vision Is More Than Creativity

One of my greatest gifts is vision.

Not just seeing beauty in nature or design—but seeing what could be. I can look at a business and immediately visualize how it can grow, improve, and align more clearly with the clients it wants to attract.

Vision isn’t just creativity. It’s clarity .It’s foresight. It’s leadership.

And when you stop trusting your vision, your business feels stuck.

Why Going Viral Won’t Grow Your Business

This might surprise you, but going viral is not the goal.

A viral post often brings in followers who are not your ideal client. Chasing trends, copying what’s popular, and trying to become “Insta-famous” can actually hurt your business long-term.

What grows a business is:

• Clarity

• Consistency

• Connection

• Attracting the right audience

Visibility without alignment leads to burnout—not bookings.

Growth vs. Staying Stuck: The Real Difference

The difference between business owners who grow and those who stay stuck usually isn’t talent or resources.

It’s excuses.

At some point, growth requires stopping the limiting story and asking a better question:

“How do I make this work?”

That might mean finding the money to hire help.

It might mean investing before you feel ready.

It might mean letting go of control.

But staying stuck always costs more than growth.

The Biggest Online Mistake Business Owners Make

If I had to name the biggest mistake I see online, it’s inconsistency.

Social media moves fast. If you’re not showing up at least:

• 3 times per week on your feed

• Daily or near-daily on stories

People forget about you.

A disjointed, inconsistent grid is disengaging—and it lowers your perceived value, even if your work is excellent.

Consistency will outperform talent every single time.

Building a Business That Lasts

This journey hasn’t been easy—but it has been purposeful.

Building a creative agency isn’t about being everywhere, doing everything, or pleasing everyone. It’s about alignment, leadership, and showing up consistently for the people you’re called to serve.

If you’re feeling the pressure to grow, the pull toward something bigger, or the fear of stepping into your next level—know this:

You don’t rise by accident.

You rise by belief, clarity, and consistency.

And it starts with how you see yourself.

Want to Watch the Full Story?

You can watch the full 30-minute video, The Woman Behind the Brand: Purpose, Pressure, and Building a Creative Agency, on our YouTube channel.

If this resonated with you, I invite you to connect, follow along, or reach out. You don’t have to build alone.