Laura McKeown’s Post

What a day today at TEDxTeessideWomen ❌ It's amazing to see so many people advocate for change in a range of industries and areas, it's even more amazing to see awareness being spread in such a positive, mind-altering light throughout the entire day. Congratulations to Michaela Reaney for such a successful day and a wonderful event. From Millie's talk surrounding sobriety (something of which I've recently hit my year mark on) to Sharon S.'s talk about disruptive aging (you've made me less afraid of dying which I didn't think would ever happen lol), there were some amazing speakers today that brought everyone together to discuss some of the harder topics that are usually swept under the carpet. The full day was insightful and eye-opening. I was gutted to have missed Liz Atkin's talk but I'm sure it was as lovely as she is and I can't wait to give it a watch 🤳🏼 It was my first experience this year at TEDXTeesside and it won't be my last, thank you to Ruth Smith and Holly Thomson for being my in-person ticket reminders, I don't think I'll ever have to rely on my emails again 😅🎟️ Obligatory X pic below 👇🏼 #TEDXTeesside #TEDXTeessideWomen #WomenInBusiness #WomenSupportingWomen

Finally doing something that doesn’t involve a screen or desk 💻 Since having my baby in June, I’ve struggled so much with strength and being able to do the basics like get out of bed without support (I’ve only just been able to do this again recently without having to move furniture around), but my focus has been taking care of a little person as well as developing After Hours Social 🤳🏼 We’ve had a super busy few weeks of 💻 onboarding two new clients 👀 a total rebrand (looong time coming) 🤳🏼 one more in the pipeline to put pen to paper ☕️ client meetings 🏆 being nominated for Best New Business at the Best New Teesside Business Awards (aaahhhh!) But admittedly, my own health has been on a steady decline since then and partnered with interrupted sleep and a hectic schedule (self inflicted but I do love it), something definitely needed to give. So today marks a day where I start to do something for me, it feels selfish, and it definitely feels wrong to be doing it when ideally I’d be sat at home working, but if I can give a little bit each day to myself then it’ll all add up🏋🏼♀️

What a way to round off my week 🥳 It’s great to see so much talent across Teesside recognised with these awards, and to see After Hours Social alongside them feels like a little pinch me moment. Good luck to everyone nominated across all of the awards, I can’t wait to catch up with you all on the 6th 🫶🏼

It's an extremely privileged thing to have always known what industry you wanted to work in, what job you wanted to have, and how to get there. Granted, Laura in this photo was more interested in bothering my dad about getting a puppy and watching the Tweenies and this photo looks like it's come straight out of This Is England, but the point still stands 😅 But the truth is, my dad ALWAYS had me in front of a screen. From 6 months old I was sat on his knee at the computer tapping away (gibberish of course, but the thought was there). At one point, I could type better than I could talk. At the age of 12, my dad set me up my first blog, I'd make up stories and write diary entries, but the reality is that he sparked a lifelong passion without even knowing it. I wouldn't say that my job was a *thing* back then, but my dad setting that blog up for me led me to grow Instagram pages with my best friend by pinching photos from Tumblr and sell them for extra dinner money (I think my most followed one got up to around 115k?) to fund the locker shop of 50p cans of pop. It led me to go into Media Studies at Middlesbrough College, it led me to go into Public Relations at Teesside University and that same passion led me to quit my job and set up After Hours Social (who've had a banging month by the way - more on that later 😅). I saw a post this morning from Conor Jaafari talking about how his childhood teddy led him to set up Cozy Crew Club, and my dad was this for me. Childhood memories of being in front of a screen (I promise I'm not an iPad kid) led me to my career and livelihood, and I hope I can shape the same for my little girl when the time comes regardless of what industry she wants to go into.

Finding comments like these on your clients socials 🤝🏼 Wanna find out why emilyrosetattoo said what she said? Message me or email laura@afterhourssocial.co.uk 📩 BTW, I've just launched our brand new website, link in the comments besties ✨🔗

COLD WATER THERAPY 💧🧊 Such a great afternoon session with Ruth Smith exploring her brand new cold water therapy services ✨ Swapping from the pod to sauna 2x and working on some positive affirmations and mental wellness in our session this week (plus Florence got involved in some deep breathing) 🙌🏼 A few of my friends and family know that I've been seeing Ruth for well over a year now, and whilst it took a lot of courage to admit I needed help, I couldn't recommend investing in your mental health MORE than with this lovely woman, she's definitely helped me mould the trajectory of my life and put me on the straight and narrow. She's truly worth her weight in gold. Highly recommend ANYONE to try out cold water therapy or Ruth's private therapy sessions for themselves 🧊💭 #therapy #coldwatertherapy #mentalwellness

I'm so excited to be back working within the tattoo industry, helping another studio showcase themselves and their artists through organic social media marketing 💻✨ Some of you might know that my 'proper' marketing journey started in a tattoo studio in Middlesbrough, and if I didn't love the industry before, it just solidified it for me. Since moving away from that role, I've had the opportunity to work with even more artists on their profiles and content creation, helping them create an online portfolio that not only shares their work but brings in leads 🔥 This private studio is not only visually stunning with a lovely group of people, but its artists are also sponsored by Killer Ink, which means I'll have the opportunity to reach more people within the community and share my connections with them. Anyways, Mt Moon Tattoo X After Hours Social - let's do this 🌙