Ms. Hope is the owner and artisan of Hope Design Ltd.®️, a thriving small business that employs military spouses and specializes in creating military jewelry and accessories to honor our country’s heroes. Lauren’s entrepreneurial journey began in response to the demands and constant changes associated with military life.
Prior to starting her current business, Lauren graduated top of her class at The Culinary Institute of America and was named best student chef by Food & Wine Magazine. As a professional in the culinary world, Lauren worked at the Ritz Carlton, organized the Certified Master Chef Exam, and commanded a 4-star, 5-diamond restaurant as the Sous Chef of the historic Hilton Netherland Plaza Hotel. Through Lauren’s own personal struggles to find employment in her chosen profession, and eventually her decision to pursue owning her own small business, she has become an advocate for other military spouses and veterans seeking meaningful employment.
Lauren currently serves on Military Spouse Corporate Career Network’s board for the “Arm-Me Up© Careers Campaign,” which provides Army spouses with no-cost job placement assistance and career progression services. She is also a Hiring Our Heroes mentor and began the #ShopMilitary social media campaign and website directory to support and promote other military spouse and veteran entrepreneurs at no cost to these businesses.
In her community, Lauren is actively involved as a committee chair for Cub Scouts Pack 110 of Boy Scouts of America. Additionally, as the spouse of an active duty soldier, she volunteers within the unit as an FRG advisor and treasurer. Lauren was also named the Armed Forces Insurance’s United States Military Academy Spouse of the Year in 2017 and Fort Leavenworth Spouse of the Year in 2019 due to her continued support and service to her individual Army communities and greater military community. Lauren is an avid public speaker, motivating and inspiring crowds at events such as the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse Town Halls, NMSN Congressional Round Table, and Military Influencer Conference.
