On the HOT SEAT:
Lauren Wieloch, founder
Lake Country Littles
Welcome to the lake country hot seat! We believe in supporting local, and being apart of our community. We cannot think of a better way to get to know the owners of local businesses, community leaders, makers and shakers than to ask them questions to learn their knowledge, advice, wisdom, challenges, wins, and maybe some fun personal tidbits as well. We are hoping a little interview will help drive traffic for them by gaining insight in trust to who they are by you!
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@lakecountrylittles
How did you come up with the idea for Lake Country Littles?
It was on my mind for a good 8 months at least before launching in October ’22. I had two friends mention to me that because of my background and love of planning I should start some sort of moms group, then the idea evolved from there! I realized there was nothing like it in the area and so many moms looking for community. I’ve always loved planning events, parties, get togethers – you name it, and love knowing what’s fun locally to do in the area. As a mom of two I needed a creative outlet and was also wanting to serve the mom community in some way.
photo cred: Lake Country Littles
What is Lake Country Littles?
It’s simply a moms social group based in Waukesha County/Lake Country area that’s all about helping moms flourish in motherhood by building relationships with other moms and making special memories with their little ones.
Motherhood can be all consuming. Many times it’s hard to find time to make new friends, do things you enjoy, or have the energy to plan fun outings with your kids. It’s hard to flourish. Through regular coffee dates, park meet-ups, social gatherings, & special curated events, I try to create the space for moms to connect & thrive. Whether you’re a new mom or mom of 4, young mom or older mom, stay-at-home mom or working outside the home mom — this group is for every mom. Each event is unique, some are free or close to free and others are ticketed events, most are mom + kids events and others are mom’s nights out. I try to offer a variety of days of the week, times of day, and weekend options too to hopefully accommodate as many moms as possible. There’s truly something for everyone!
Did you take your kiddos with you to your meetups? How do they help play a role in your mission connecting with other local moms?
My two little sidekicks have been at every single event with me since the start of Lake Country Littles! If it’s a toddler event, I have my baby in a front carrier along for the ride too! They come to everything, including my meetings with local business owners/ venue managers as I am planning the events. Those conversations can be tough with two little ones along but I am amazed by how kind and understanding everyone is.
Having my own two along with me and embracing the chaos of the kids while managing the events, helps me to authentically lead the group and be in the “mom-zone” right alongside the moms attending the events.
photo cred: Lake Country Littles
What inspired you to start Lake Country Littles?
I was inspired by similar mom groups in Tosa and Milwaukee that are doing great things for their local mom communities too. Lake Country needed one but with my own spin!
What is your background?
My professional background is in marketing/communication, over the years I have worked with several different creative marketing agencies in the Milwaukee area on the account management side of things. I adore branding, design, and all things marketing and networking. I am highly relational, detail-oriented and creative. I have always loved planning events for friends and family (such as baby showers, my own wedding, birthday parties, etc) so this combines all the things I love to do and doesn’t feel like work at all.
Have there been any challenges with starting the group?
When first starting out and still to this day, I occasionally have businesses not take me as seriously or treat me as professionally as they should — if they haven’t heard of Lake Country Littles they view it as just “some moms group”, but it is so much more!
My other challenge is wanting to do more and more events and having so many ideas, but not having the time to do it all as I am a stay-at-home mom. 🙂
When did you have that first “I did it,” moment, we ask because your group looks very successful and has gained a lot of momentum, even in a very short amount of time.
This is so sweet of you! It has really taken off more than I ever expected. I credit that just to the fact that moms in the area (myself included!) really were looking for and interested in a local group like this one to help them build friendships. It came at the right time!
My “I did it” moment was at an event this March when a mom came up to me and told me that because of my group she had met her best friend. They’ve been getting together since October at Lake Country Littles’ first meet up where they connected. They have been meeting up weekly ever since! If just one mom has made such a faithful friend to journey through motherhood with, I count this group as a success.
photo cred: Lake Country Littles
How do you find/pick/decide where your meetups will be?
A mix of things. Lots of times businesses approach me and that’s awesome. But the bulk of the events and connections just come from my 7 years of living, socializing, and exploring the Lake Country area. There are SO many excellent small businesses to work with here that are so supportive of moms and families. I always am cooking up ideas of potential events — it’s just how I’m wired, I can’t turn it off!
Tell us about your new By Moms, For Moms partnership program. How did this come to be? What can we expect to see in future?
I’m so excited about it! By Moms, For Moms is a partnership program to feature and highlight local mom-owned or mom-supporting businesses in the area. It adds another layer to connecting moms and having moms support and lift up one another. I know so many of my friends(and myself included), love to learn about and support mom-run businesses and that’s how the program came to be!
In the coming year, almost every Sunday afternoon in my social media Stories, you can expect to see a business feature with an exclusive Lake Country Littles discount code for that business’ product or service. It’s a way to offer brand awareness and give a platform to local businesses and also provide value and offers to my audience of moms. For previous features and any active discount codes, you can always visit the “Partnerships” highlight on my Instagram page.
How do you balance the chaos and coordination of your group, motherhood, family / friend life?
It’s a challenging balance for sure. I am an “all-in” type of person. I want to be all-in as a mom, a wife, a friend, in my faith, and in leading this group. But my little ones always come first and I want to be present with them. I’m a one woman show at this time so things don’t always get done as fast as I would like, but my priority is always my little family! I work on this group in any spare moment (i.e. nap times)and ideas are always on my mind.
What did it feel like when you walked into your first event/meetup?
I was definitely nervous that no one would show! So at my very first event at Blue Collar Coffee in Delafield, when I walked in the door I was so excited. It was an open-ended event with no registration so I had no idea what to expect. Nearly 40 moms showed up that morning and we took over the whole coffee shop and then some! It was so humbling to see the immediate response and excitement about the group. It was confirmation that starting this group and investing my time in this was the right move. It was incredible and honestly moved me to tears to see moms connecting, chatting, exchanging numbers. It was exactly what I hoped would happen.
What would you like local mamas to know who are looking to feel the support and love from group like Lake Country Littles? Tell them why they should join in the fun.
Number one, all are welcome, no matter where you’re at in your motherhood journey. I truly believe no matter what decisions you make in motherhood, that YOU and you alone know what’s best for your little ones and your family. You were meant to be their mom! This group is about supporting and lifting one another up, providing a support system for you, and offering new opportunities to have fun with your kids and with other moms in the area.
If you’re debating on coming to an event, or wondering if you should come solo — just do it! Take the step, you won’t regret it. There are SO many moms that are part of Lake Country Littles that attended a gathering without knowing anyone and have walked away with new friends and had a great time! Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, everyone is so welcoming in the group and we are all in the same boat as moms seeking community. I can’t wait to meet you personally!
Just for fun:
What is your favorite coffee + favorite local coffee shop?
I love coffee. My order when I am feeling spendy (ha!) is an iced latte with oat milk or on just a regular day an Americano. My favorite coffee shop hands down is Blue Collar Coffee. It’s my local shop! I’ve been there more times than I can count, and know most of the baristas my name. Such a great community spot in downtown Delafield and I frequently run into someone I know when I’m there.
If you are interested in being in the Lake Country Hot Seat with The Lake Country Mom, send us an email or connect with us on social media.
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