Laura Best
Keynote Speaker, Author and Founder of "Passion Collective" at Passion Collective
Professional Training and Coaching
Education: University of Warwick, England
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Biography
Laura Best is a keynote speaker, coach, and consultant who has helped thousands of people to discover their passions and rethink their approach to work and life.
Originally from England, Laura built an accomplished marketing career, partnering with many world-class brands. In 2014, she created Passion Collective with a clear mission: to create space for us all to explore what it means to truly love our lives again.
Laura has grown Passion Collective into a global community, offering events, courses, and grants that provide funding and coaching to “Passion Seekers” all over the world. Laura’s “practical inspiration” approach weaves together science, humor, and actionable advice, all centered on her core belief that “we have one life to live – are we truly living it?”
Laura lives in Minneapolis with her family and hundred-pound Pyredoodle, Millie-Rose.
Passion
I am passionate about...passion! After 11 years of leading Passion Collective, I firmly believe that if we do more of what we love in our work and lives, then we are happier and more fulfilled – as leaders, as parents, friends and humans. I love nothing more than working with an individual, team or a ballroom full of people, and seeing the "spark" in their eyes of rediscovery; that feeling of "fire" or momentum they have tapped back into inside. The memory of a success, a contribution, a time when they felt most alive. We sometimes tell ourselves that it's just "too late" or too difficult to do more of what we love; it's my mission to persuade you otherwise, and to give you (and your people) the tools to do so!
Best Story
One of my "burnout" stories always resonates (sadly!), but I share it so that others feel seen and understood. It was a time, back in 2014, when I was driving down a rush-hour Dallas highway after a marathon week of meetings in my role as a national technology consultant. I was exhausted and couldn't wait to see my baby daughter. The phone rang, and it was the project leader of the company, questioning the number of hours I'd billed that week (he thought I wasn't doing "enough" – he wasn't looking at the right spreadsheet but didn't want to acknowledge that. It was clear that his mission was to point out that I was not - and may never - be enough).
I managed to keep it together on the call (as we do, as women, right?!), but once I hung up the phone, I burst into uncontrollable tears. Not a good idea on a bust Dallas freeway!
I knew in that moment that I wanted more. I needed more. But, I didn't know what the "more" was, nor did I know how to fit it into my already overwhelmed days. The word "passion" came to me - and I knew I had to rediscover it. I was sure that others may have the answers, or at the very least, if I found other women in the same situation, we'd help each other explore our paths ahead. That is when Passion Collective began.
I tell this story partly to share how "starting something" when you need it can often be the best beginning, and also to share that while "burnout" is very real, we do have more power than we realize to make our own paths.
Origin Story
See above!
I built Passion Collective from my own experience of curiosity and craving to rediscover what lit me up. Originally, it was my creative outlet, my way of contributing by building community, but we grew quickly, launching coaching and networking programs, bringing on board corporate sponsors and then launching micro-grants which resulted in 10,000+ applications from more than 50 countries. At that point, we became "global" and I realized just how universal the human need for passion is.
Featured Video
Featured Book
My Podcast
I am willing to travel
More than 100 miles
When it comes to payments
I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions
Topics
Best Story
One of my "burnout" stories always resonates (sadly!), but I share it so that others feel seen and understood. It was a time, back in 2014, when I was driving down a rush-hour Dallas highway after a marathon week of meetings in my role as a national technology consultant. I was exhausted and couldn't wait to see my baby daughter. The phone rang, and it was the project leader of the company, questioning the number of hours I'd billed that week (he thought I wasn't doing "enough" – he wasn't looking at the right spreadsheet but didn't want to acknowledge that. It was clear that his mission was to point out that I was not - and may never - be enough).
I managed to keep it together on the call (as we do, as women, right?!), but once I hung up the phone, I burst into uncontrollable tears. Not a good idea on a bust Dallas freeway!
I knew in that moment that I wanted more. I needed more. But, I didn't know what the "more" was, nor did I know how to fit it into my already overwhelmed days. The word "passion" came to me - and I knew I had to rediscover it. I was sure that others may have the answers, or at the very least, if I found other women in the same situation, we'd help each other explore our paths ahead. That is when Passion Collective began.
I tell this story partly to share how "starting something" when you need it can often be the best beginning, and also to share that while "burnout" is very real, we do have more power than we realize to make our own paths.
Origin Story
See above!
I built Passion Collective from my own experience of curiosity and craving to rediscover what lit me up. Originally, it was my creative outlet, my way of contributing by building community, but we grew quickly, launching coaching and networking programs, bringing on board corporate sponsors and then launching micro-grants which resulted in 10,000+ applications from more than 50 countries. At that point, we became "global" and I realized just how universal the human need for passion is.