In this episode of Small Business, Big Engine, I sit down with Lauren Cockerell, founder and president of Kwedar & Co., a boutique public relations and communications firm based in Fort Worth, Texas. Lauren’s journey from solo consultant to leading a team of eight offers a, behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to scale a high-touch service business.

We talk about what Lauren calls the “messy middle,” that critical stage between solopreneurship and sustainable growth, and how she navigated it without burning out or compromising her values. From letting go of control to learning how to hire the right people, Lauren shares the lessons she’s learned as a small business owner trying to do meaningful work in a crowded market.

You’ll learn:

• Why Lauren walked away from the corporate world and started her own PR firm while 8 months pregnant

• The early fears she had about hiring her first team member, and the mentor advice that gave her the push she needed

• How to know when you’ve become the bottleneck in your business

• What to look for (and avoid) when hiring for a small team

• The power of PR for B2B companies, especially those who think they’re “too boring” to be featured

• How storytelling can unlock growth, momentum, and visibility for legacy businesses

• Lauren’s framework for working with clients as thought partners, not vendors

• Why a “heck yes or no” policy saved her from repeated hiring mistakes

• The overlooked PR opportunity most small businesses miss

Whether you're a creative entrepreneur, a founder growing a service business, or a leader in a traditional B2B industry looking to improve your visibility, this conversation is packed with insight. Lauren breaks down the inner workings of running a successful PR agency while staying rooted in empathy, client trust, and long-term relationships.

She also shares one of the most compelling PR success stories from her firm, how a family-owned furniture company went from an overlooked product launch to being celebrated in local and national media once the real story was uncovered.

Topics we cover in this episode:

• Scaling a service-based agency

• Small business hiring best practices

• Leadership growth in creative businesses

• Public relations strategy for B2B companies

• Why storytelling is a competitive advantage

• How to build a team you can trust

• Client relationship management

• Ideal client profiles and red flags

• PR tools, platforms, and common mistakes

• Turning a one-time event into long-term momentum

About Lauren:
Lauren Cockerell is the founder of Kwedar & Co., a communications firm specializing in helping legacy B2B businesses clarify their message and earn the visibility they deserve. Her agency supports clients across industries including manufacturing, insurance, and professional services. She’s also the host of The Impatient Entrepreneur podcast, where she offers candid insights for fellow founders learning to scale their businesses with heart and hustle.

Connect with Lauren:
🌐 Website: https://www.kwedarco.com
📱 Instagram: @kwedarco
🎙 Podcast: The Impatient Entrepreneur