Meet Laura Cooper | Marketing Strategist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Cooper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
People often talk about having very lucid dreams while expecting, and I experienced this exact experience when I was pregnant. Whether I was awake or asleep, all I thought about was how I could be more present with my growing family along with everything else in my life. I was constantly working on ways of generating income, while keeping a healthy work-life balance. I was obsessed with finding a way to become present both physically and mentally for my children, and it became my purpose. Once I realized what my mission was, I took an interest in local companies and markets. I quickly realized that with so many small businesses in my community, that marketing on their behalf was what I needed to do. I could create a local marketing agency that captured their voice and aspirations all while helping them create revenue. I knew I could do this, because I’ve been tapped into small businesses as a local San Diegan, and I’ve seen firsthand the struggle and magic of it all. I knew that running my own marketing business was my calling. The more I thought about it, the clearer my vision became. There is something about becoming a mother that forces you to be super productive and creates an intrinsic sense of urgency. I was pumping out work like a machine! This energy of needing to GET THINGS DONE (GET SHIT DONE) is the foundation I wanted my company to be based on. Luckily, I was able to partner up with someone like-minded. My business partner is not just any old partner; she is brilliant, talented and and knows her craft extremely well. My partner and I became the business’s heartbeat and I am so grateful to have her as the base of the company.

What should our readers know about your business?
BLCK MRKT is your one-stop-shop for all things marketing. With well over a decade of combined experience in marketing, branding, and digital, with an eclectic portfolio of businesses and entrepreneurs, BLCK MRKT is a leader in this industry. We are proudly based in San Diego, so we live and breathe this city’s energy, and embody its vibrant culture in everything we do and deliver. As a women-owned and operated business, we believe that our biological nature truly shines through in how we run and grow this business. We are not afraid to say that we nurture our clients and care for them like family. Now, we’re not tucking them in at night, but we sure as hell are working tirelessly daily, to ensure our clients’ needs are exceedingly met. We have a distinct way in which we embrace our client’s. Each clients’ project becomes our baby and just like one of our own children, we invest our love in it and “parent” our clients through the process. As crazy as this may sound, we use our femininity to our advantage. We harness our powers and gifts of nurturing and relationship building and create beautiful and lasting relationships with our clients that often evolve into friendships. Our “friendship” retention rate is bananas which is what sets us apart from other agencies. Our agency is well aware of our strengths, and this is what makes us successful. For instance, our retention rate of 95% is mostly composed of clients that have been with us for years. COVID-19 has been a hell of a testament to our clients’ loyalty and genuine reciprocal relationship. We strategized on ways to stay consistent and on-top despite 2020’s challenges. Our entire team stepped it waaay up. We found ourselves doing a lot of unorthodox things to keep our momentum and continued to be resilient for those that were depending on our strength the most. This pandemic has made BLCK MRKT much stronger, wiser, and simply bad AF!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Just the thought of this question makes me smile. I would definitely start our day by going on a hike at sunrise. Setting intentions, and reflecting on one’s life path, and goals while admiring the beautiful landscape, should be a part of every San Diegans’ morning routine. Eating amazing food is the only way to experience San Diego fully; I mean how could you not? We would definitely go to Beach Deli Hut and pick up some amazing sandwiches for a MUST have lunch on the bay; this is a no-brainer. For a memorable dinner, I would contact @ChefSabrinaLouise to prepare a private dinner for us at home. Super convenient, considering we’re still experiencing COVID season. The comfort of hosting without the responsibility of cooking is the definition of bliss to me. Chef Sabrina Louise brings everything and kindly prepares whatever your little heart desires. For a night like this, I would ask for the Sushi-at-home menu, where the Chef walks us through hand-rolling our own rolls, or she can simply take care of the sushi spread and deliver a feast made for the gawds! We can pick out one of San Diego’s many local wineries or breweries for some “adult beverages” and let our late afternoon drift us away into a late evening, hahaha. On one of our late nights, we can take it over to the @BachiBus, which is hibachi style food that is HIGHLY desired in the area, so there may be a wait but it will definitely be worth it. Super savory flavors and an experience well worth the venture out. And of course, we would hit up staples such as Sea World, Balboa Park, and the San Diego Zoo. Honestly, just the vibe of the city and the people here makes it so easy to close your eyes, point to anywhere on the map of San Diego, head out, and have a great time! The people here make the city, and the city makes the people. That may sound corny, but it is absolutely the truth. If it were not for the people, San Diego would not be the chill, free-spirited, vibrant, culturally rich city it is. And if not for this Cali-Baja influenced city of beaches, warm weather, and scenic pleasure, San Diego would not be known as America’s Finest City. Speaking of dope San Diegans, SHOUTOUT to my BLCK MRKT team, our clients, my hubby and sons, family, and friends!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Dad is one of the most influential people in my life and one of the most beloved…not just by me, but almost everyone who was blessed to know him or know of him. His loss was tragic in more ways than I can ever explain. My papa was truly everything to me, and he navigated through his own life in an exemplary manner. I mean, he would truly make the rainiest of days seem like sunniest. He was the rainbow at the end of a storm; and because of his brilliant aura, I have always had the ability to be optimistic about what is to come after adversity is presented. My pops will to thrive even during hardship allowed me to not be consumed negatively by his loss, but rather to be inspired by his legacy and make him proud. He is part of my daily prayers and the muse in my personal affirmations. He did not leave me an entrepreneurial playbook, but he left me with a kindred spirit which has an insatiable desire to keep winning.

Website: www.blckmrktlife.com

Instagram: laura_blckmrkt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLCKMRKTLife

Image Credits
Blck Mrkt