Meet Lauren Harper - Owner of CityBright & Co Founder of The Welcome Party and Welcome Pac

What led you to start your business and how long have you been in business? Where are you located? Do you offer services outside of your state?  

 I was working for Columbia (SC) Mayor Steve Benjamin and really enjoyed getting to use my public relations degree to write speeches, op-eds and other materials for him. I felt led to start my own business where I could support other elected leaders by ghostwriting these communications materials for them, so I founded CityBright in 2018. Since then, our work has expanded to providing communications support for nonprofit organizations, private corporations, campaigns and more elected officials across the country. I moved to Dallas in May, but my work is 100% remote, so I’m able to support clients everywhere. So far, I’ve helped folks in South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Missouri — and looking forward to help more folks in these places and more! 

What do you enjoy most about being a business owner in your industry?
Writing has been a passion and hobby of mine since I was a child. In the same way that artists can look at a blank canvas and create something beautiful, I look at a blank page and love to cover it with words that people are moved by and enjoy. My favorite part of my work is writing speeches & op-eds (opinion editorials). I love hearing the satisfaction from clients when they realize I heard what they were saying (or trying to say) and translated it into a piece that allows them to deliver a specific message in a beautiful way. 


What are some of your hobbies that you have outside of work? 

 I love to cook! And of course eat, whether my own food or in my exploration of Dallas as a new resident. I also enjoy attending Orange Theory Fitness classes and watching my favorite shows Survivor & Beat Bobby Flay. 


How are you and your business making a positive impact in your local community or society today?
I’m still finding ways to give back in Dallas, but back home in South Carolina I serve on the board of SC Women in Leadership, which works to elect more women in all levels of government. I also serve on the boards of Palmetto Achievers, which benefits K-12 students in the state, and Bluebonnet Data, which helps candidates by empowering young people to volunteer on campaigns across the country. I also serve at my church! 


What is your biggest success to date? Something you are most proud of.
My biggest success is learning to love myself better, which helps me to love others better. We really can create the world we want to see just by being intentional in 1:1 interactions! 


How did you hear about TFMA? 

 I heard about TFMA because I grew up with its founder Jonathan Brown! I’ve known Jon for literally decades and have been so blessed to see him doing work he loves and helping people in all industries. Keep it up, bro


What do you enjoy most about the services provided by TFMA? 

 I love getting the breakdowns each month that allow me to see where I spent money. It really helps me the following month to make sure I’m cognizant of how I’m spending. I also love not doing my own taxes LOL. 


Would you refer TFMA to your family, friends or peers?
I absolutely would & already have!