Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Osborne.
Lauren, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Not many people can say they have the same job now as their first job ever. I started working at a running store as soon as I could legally work and did through high school and college. After college, while working at a running store in South Carolina I met my husband James while he was working for Nike. I eventually also started working for Nike. We spent our careers there: James for 18 years and I was there for almost 10. As we grew in our careers we felt less connect to the runners and more behind screens. At the same time the pandemic hit and we felt more than ever people needed a place to build community. We sold our house in Oregon and moved here without knowing a soul. We fell in love with the East Nashville neighborhood and were thrilled to open the store in 5 points area in February of 2023. 3 years in we feel incredibly lucky to call this our home.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
What’s that saying- nothing worth doing is easy? There have been plenty of opportunities to learn along the way. While we know the industry extremely well, running a small business was new to us. Learning how to manage inventory flow, balance the “hot” product offerings and maintain having the staples is an ever learning process.
We’ve ebbed and flowed with putting on events, some large and some small and continue to learn that space. Some of the early mistakes taught us a lot so we can execute much better now.
Managing a team of people that are all so passionate about what our mission is has been incredible as well, but learning to get everyone rowing in the same direction can be a challenge at times. Having the right people is critical.
We operate in a growth mindset constantly because we know we don’t know everything but are always ready to learn.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At The Exchange I wear quite a few hats. Daily I operate in the CEO role. I’m also responsible for strategy for the Media and Events. I lead all of our training through our membership. We have a slack group and weekly meet up for speed workout and long runs. I coach a handful of our members in a one on one coaching capacity as well.
More than anything I love helping other people find a love for running and explore their potential and capabilities. I love hearing about people’s goals and whether it’s helping them find a shoe, get some nutrition, or work one on one with them in pursuit of that goal I find so much joy in the process.
I lead our kids summer track program and I’m incredibly passionate about introducing kids to the sport in a way that is fun and low pressure.
We’ve also just started a new beginner running group called the First Mile. I have been so proud to see them begin to find joy in running and look forward to running with them all each Monday night.
How do you think about happiness?
My family. I’m so thankful for our 3 daughters and the joy I get from watching them grow and learn. Seeing them accomplish something new, be a good friend, or take a risk with a new challenge makes me so proud. And I’m so thankful for my husband. Deciding to start a small business with 3 kids in a new city is no easy feat (and for some reason he let me add a puppy into the mix when we moved here). It takes a special type of partnership to navigate it all together and I’m thankful we have each other.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theexchange.run
- Instagram: @theexchangerunningcollective
