Q&A with Lauren Ridd

“I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up,” Lauren laughs with her signature laugh, a vibrant new sound that fills the Republic office.

Lauren Ridd is Republic’s Marketing Communications Coordinator. A Rhetoric, Writing and Communications and English graduate, she brings strong writing skills and creativity to the team. She’s also Republic’s resident Marvel Cinematic Universe expert (test it, ask her anything), and we think she deserves the superlative “Person Who Loves Pickles the Most”.

We wanted to get to know Lauren more, so we sat down with her to talk about her career, hobbies, life lessons, and her dream job of becoming Adele.

Q1: What inspired you to join Republic?

It was time for a change. I was ready to leave my last position and I was doing what most people who are looking for a new job would do, searching all the various platforms. I came across a career opportunity posting from Republic that sounded intriguing. I just went out on a limb, applied and the rest is history.

Q2: What challenges have you faced in your career?

I feel like I’ve fallen into a lot of positions I’ve had over the last decade. I would start at entry level and very quickly outgrew roles since I have a high capacity for workload and I’m a fast learner. I enjoyed what I was doing but over time things also became monotonous and repetitive, and not very challenging.

I wanted my next destination to hopefully be my final career destination. I tried to look for the right fit, even if it meant being picky about which jobs I applied to.

Q3: What lessons have you learned throughout your career?

So many I don’t know where to start. Here are three of them:

1. Speak up and ask questions.
2. More often than not, if you feel like you don’t know what you’re doing you’re probably not the only one. So, fake it till you make it.
3. It is crucial to be in an environment where it’s a game of “We’s” not “I’s”. Where egos are left at the door everyone sees the bigger picture that when one of us wins, we all win. (Spoiler alert: I think I may have found it).

Q4: What do you like doing outside of work?

This is a tough one to answer especially since the last four years were unconventional. Two of them were spent in a pandemic, then the other years were spent healing from an injury that had severe physical limitations. I haven’t had much of a chance for hobbies and activities in the last four years. Once the weather gets nice, maybe that will change. Oh, I’m also a shameless Bravoholic.

Q5: What does a perfect weekend look like for you?

It’s situational. It really depends on what’s happening that weekend, who’s in town, or if there are holidays, these types of things. There’s also that balance of completing your “adulting” responsibilities like cleaning, doing laundry, picking up groceries, and meal prepping.

Q6: What’s an interesting pastime you have?

There were hobbies I picked up during the pandemic. I got really into doing my own nails, getting creative with different colours, patterns, and textures. I also passed a lot of time diamond painting.

Q7: Is there a dream that you want to make true one day?

I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I go day by day.

Q8: What is something surprising that not many people know about you?

Probably everything. I’m a bit of a surprise, you never know what you’re going to get.

I’m a very good singer.

I’m a minimalist and I hate clutter. I don’t have things just for the sake of having things. Another fun fact (that may trigger a few people) is that I have a habit of keeping my Christmas tree up for probably eight to ten months of the year.

Q9: Are there any causes you’re passionate about?

There are a lot of humanitarian causes I care about. I also care about my friends. I’m loyal, sometimes to a fault, and I will always show up for them.

Q10: What are some books or articles you’ve read recently?

One of my favourite authors is Joshilyn Jackson, I enjoy her books. I also mix in autobiographies and memoirs; I’ve recently made it through both Britney Spears’s and Paris Hilton’s books; I find it interesting to see behind the curtain.

I also love listening to podcasts. My favourite is Fly on the Wall with David Spade and Dana Carvey. I also love Race Chaser with Willam and Alaska.

Q11: What do you think makes you unique as a person and as a member of our team?

Probably my sense of humour and my tenacity (and maybe my accident-proneness). Also, people might not know it, but I will be your biggest cheerleader. If you need to get something over the finish line or need words of encouragement, I crush that role. I’m a good hype girl.

Q12: When have you felt the proudest and why?

Honestly, I felt proud of myself when I finally decided to leave my last job. I knew for a while it was what was best for me but making big changes like that can be scary. I finally put pen to paper and updated my resume. I’m proud of that because it was necessary.

Q13: Is there anything in your life that left you with a lasting impact?

I can’t think of an experience off the top of my head, or maybe I’m just not ready to share those yet. However, I have learned through experience that it’s important to me to have some form of mentorship. Whether it’s me mentoring others or somebody mentoring me, it’s important to have that relationship and feel like somebody is invested in you.

Q14: What’s your dream job?

To be Adele. Watch out Adele, here’s Adele two (too?).

Q15: How would your best friend describe you in three words?

Smart. Strong. Empathetic.

Q16: If you could travel anywhere in the world, with no barriers at all, where would you go?

I’d probably just get in my car, hit the road, and never look back. Nothing beats a good road trip. OR, I’d like to make it to Hawaii and Alaska, those are the only two states I’ve never visited.