I love learning about people behind the business. Very seldom do you find a business that is not rooted in some aspect of the owner’s own personal story - whether it highlights their childhood dreams, aspirations or, in Laura’s case, her victories found in her own story of recovery.
Laura Hawkins is the owner/founder of Laura Hawkins Recovery Coaching. We got to know each other though the Women’s Networking Alliance and later served together as volunteers for Second Harvest Food Bank in San Jose. I deeply appreciated Laura’s sense of humor and just how honest she was about her story and how it led her to later establish a business focused specifically on helping others on their recovery journey.
And let’s be a real - I think my favorite fun fact about Laura is that she is obsessed with ice cream - and who doesn’t love that?
I am very proud to share today’s spotlight on Laura as another way to continue celebrating Bay Area women business owners who are are making an impact!
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Can you share a little bit about you and your business?
I’m a native Californian currently residing in Menlo Park with my old pit bull Charlie. I’m the proud mom of two amazing young adults, Jack and Julia, and a sober member AA for over 30 years. I love to travel and do it every chance I get. My favorite place I’ve ever been is South Africa.
Professionally, I’m a serial solopreneur (runs in my family — both of my parents had their own successful businesses for years) and currently work as a recovery coach and certified recovery specialist.
As a recovery coach I guide and support clients to create a simple and practical plan for living a life free from their addictions. I partner with people interested in recovering from substance use disorders or similar conditions. My programs are exclusively tailored to meet the needs of each individual.
What has your journey looked like personally/professionally to get to where you are now?
Little did I know that over 30 years ago, my decision to get sober would lead me to my life’s work. It certainly didn’t start out that way, but what’s always been a constant for me is that I’ve always worked in industries that incorporated my passions. That’s extremely important to me.
I’ve worked in public relations/marketing, t.v., and animal welfare organizations like the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley where I was the executive director before starting my own business as a recovery coach. I loved this position, but there started to be this internal pull towards working with people in recovery that was too strong to ignore. I've seen what an important piece coaching can be to programs of recovery, and I wanted to help in that way.
Although I got sober through AA anonymous, I work with people who want to explore programs that aren’t 12-step. What I want most for my clients to find a group that works for them where they feel comfortable and supported in overcoming their addictions.
What do you enjoy about what you do? What are some of the challenges?
I love being able to help those who want to tackle head-on the things in their lives that are keeping them from being who they really want to be. I have such admiration for people who have gotten to a really low place in their lives but are willing to do something differently by trying a program of recovery. Confronting yourself about what’s not working is one of the bravest things one can do, I believe. I love seeing the hope come back for my clients when they realize that they can conquer their addictions and will go to any lengths to do it. I was where each one of my clients have been before, so I know how it feels, and what’s possible.
What’s difficult about my work is working with people who ultimately decide to go back to their addictions. However, I never, ever give up hope because I know recovery isn’t always a straight line. My door is always open.
Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your 18 year old self?
Never stop working towards your goals and passions. Understand it will be frustrating at times but that temporary. Travel a lot and take risks. Ask for help and see what you can do for other people. When I’m thinking about someone else, I’m not thinking about myself. Don’t think to be successful you have to do it all on your own or that you need to be perfect. There is no such thing. And lastly, laugh a lot. Use humor to connect with others. I’ve found that laughter really is the best medicine for what ails me.
What do you appreciate most about your life now/what are you most proud of?
What I appreciate about my life is the perspective time and recovery have given me. I’ve learned that there are very few really big deals. I’m most proud of the relationships I have. They are full of humor and truth and caring. Nothing better than that.
Who inspires you and why?
Anyone trying to do better inspires me. People who give expecting nothing in return and help others "just because" it’s the right thing to do.
A fun or surprising fact about yourself?
I was on a game show in college hoping to win money to fix my car — I lost! I have volunteered in animal shelters and fostered for rescue organizations for much of my adult life
If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be and why?
I wanted to answer this question in a really heady way, but the truth is, that I would love to meet the person that first invented ice cream. I’m literally obsessed.