March 2016 Member Spotlight: Laken Rapier
March 2016 Member Spotlight: Laken Rapier
Name: Laken Avonne Rapier
Job Title/Company: Public Relations and Social Media Coordinator, Justin Brands, Inc.
College/Degree/Graduation Date: University of Kansas / Bachelor of Science in Journalism / May 2013
Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas
Position within GFW PRSA (i/a): I help tweet during luncheons and events on occasion 🙂
Childhood ambition (what did you want to be when you grew up?): Growing up, I wanted to be a chef. I loved watching Food Network and insisted on visiting Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant in Orlando during a family vacation to Disney World and Universal Studios at age 8.
Current livelihood (what you’re actually doing as a grown-up: Public Relations and Social Media Coordinator
First PR job: I handled press and communications for a Member of Congress on Capitol Hill.
What you know now that you wish you’d known then: Identify what works for you, in order to be and give the best that you can. Recognize that sometimes you need a break or change of pace to make sure you’re always coming at your work in the most creative and energetic way you can, while giving not just 100%, but the best 100% you can give.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever received: I’ve received a lot of good advice. Here are some of my favorites that I remind myself of often: Actions create opportunities. Listening is very different from hearing. Use all your vacation days, because everyone needs time to recharge.
Greatest professional or personal accomplishment: One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is having an article I wrote nominated for a Hearst Award.
If you weren’t in PR, you would be: An attorney
Desired Legacy: My desired legacy is to be bigger than myself. I hope when I’m not present people still know what’s in my heart.
Why did you originally join PRSA? I joined PRSA after attending a few events with some coworkers. I found it was a great way to meet other PR professionals in the community, while continuing to learn and keep up with industry trends.
Finally, tell us about your hometown and what makes it cool.Flower Mound is a sleepy town, so much in fact that people I went to high school with made a music video about it lacking excitement. Is that cool?
