Even before graduating Flagler College in 2016, Laura Padovano had gained a ton of real world experience in PR, marketing, blog writing, event planning, and everything in between, and was working with several small local business to improve their social media. So it wasn’t long before Laura Lives Social was born, and its creator was doing her part to build the community through social media marketing.
Hugh: What’s your connection to St. Augustine?
Laura Padovano: The summer before my senior year of high school my family vacationed in St. Augustine, and I decided to check out Flagler. Long story short, I applied to Flagler, was accepted, and following my freshman year of college my mom got a call from me telling her I fell in love with St. Augustine and wasn’t coming back to the Tampa Bay Area.
What kind of training do you have?
I received my bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communication and a minor in Advertising from Flagler College in 2016, but prior to receiving my degree, I had a long-running internship with Classic Blends (Shout out to my mentor Hugh Ward!) where I got a TON of real-world experience in the communication field. Before I even graduated I was working with several small businesses in town to improve their social media presence, and I had experience in PR, marketing, blog writing, event planning and everything in between.
What’s your favorite part of the job?
I really love having the opportunity to get to know the small business owners in the community. I enjoy hearing their stories of why and how they started their business!
How long did it take to perfect your craft?
There’s no such thing as perfecting your craft when it comes to social media and marketing because it’s all ever-changing!
How big is your team?
I’m a one-woman show at the moment, but long term I’d like to build a team and have a small agency that would offer a larger range of services.
Who are your local favs?
There are so many amazing local businesses (and business owners) in St. Augustine and the people who work there are usually what keeps me coming back. A few places I frequent are The Way We Were for killer vintage clothing, Fountain of Youth Academy for a great workout with some great people, Push Push Salon for all your hair needs, and Savannah Sweets for the best caramel apples around.
What would you like to see happen in St. Augustine?
I’d like to see members of our community come out and support all the amazing small businesses in our town! We see small businesses in St. Augustine come and go all too often, but if more locals viewed these small businesses as part of our community rather than just tourist spots, these small businesses would have a real future in our little town.
Words to live by…“Being ready, not perfect.” – Corrine Athanasulis, my grandmother
Follow Laura Padovano on Instagram at @lauralives5.
