Networlding Presents: Laura Hansen

Well, let’s just say that Laura is “diversified” or – a renaissance woman!  When Laura and I met back in 1995, Laura was certainly focused on business and there was not much more but a great network and family.  She was born and raised in the direct marketing and call center business.  The journey into direct marketing started in 1983.  So, this background allowed her to acquire substantial experience in launching and executing the call center component of campaigns  for AT&T Wireless, Oprah Magazine, American Express and Allstate just to name a few.

Although business allows one to use their brain for all kinds of things, her creative side was only being fostered and used primarily for problem solving.  In 2004, Laura's world changed and she left the CEO position of managing an outsourced call center to become a consultant to the industry.  She added teaching direct marketing at DePaul University, consulting with Wall Street on telephony and call center technology and a few other things to her repertoire.

The creative side yearned for more.  and Laura started to cook…….with a vengeance.  She says that there’s a certain Zen to all of that chopping. Certainly, there is also a satisfaction when her friends and family LOVE the food.  She became engaged in studying the craft and learned that there is a lot to really understanding the culinary arts.  The next expansion came when Laura and I were brainstorming about what to do with the cooking and her love of writing.  The dining blog was born!  At first, Laura was only a participant.  She would write reviews of restaurants and send them along.  Now, she is the writer, content aggregator and chief bottle washer for www.bestofthebestdiningchicago.com.  The blog is flourishing and continues to grow.

All of the creative juices were going to cooking and writing – so why not painting!  Laura began to paint (abstract on canvas) in March of 2007.  Like Forest Gump, she kept going.  She had the vision of being in a gallery and selling her paintings to anyone that could see the energy and magnetism of what manifested through the brush.  Mission accomplished! Her work is featured in Hayley Gallery in Columbus, Ohio.  With the help of very supportive friends and family, she has also sold many paintings and she has a blog:  www.laurahansenartgallery.com. 

This is a story of transformation.  It’s funny how little courage it really takes to do what one is compelled and driven to do the effortless work by your passion and spirit.