Right Side Up Talent Spotlight: Lauren Starnes

The Right Side Up Talent Spotlight series profiles some of our full-time employees and growth marketing consultants. We chat with the experts in our network to learn about their incredible professional experiences, expert marketing insights, and how they’re balancing work and life.

Lauren Starnes | Head of Client Engagement, Right Side Up

Lauren Starnes started in January 2024 as the head of client engagement at Right Side Up. In this role, she leads a team of client relationship managers who drive the long-term success and growth of our customers. Lauren and her team own the daily operations for all active engagements and serve as the primary liaison between our clients and marketing talent.

Where is home these days?

I live in Mountain View, CA, with my fiancé, Stefan, and my 6-month-old kitten, Franklin. I converted one of our bedrooms into my remote office which also serves as a spillover room for miscellaneous art and plants.

I grew up in North Carolina and lived in Washington, DC, for 7 years before moving to the Bay Area in 2021. I can’t get enough of California weather and often pop outside in between meetings for a quick walk/dose of vitamin D.

Tell us about your professional background and areas of expertise. Any achievements you’re proud of or notable brands you’ve worked with?

I’ve spent 10+ years in B2B digital media/marketing as a sales and revenue growth leader. I’m a natural builder who thrives in the fast-paced startup environment. I was one of the first hires at Industry Dive where I built the enterprise sales team that helped us land our acquisition by Informa. I’ve also advised CMOs at notable brands like Oracle, Square, and Panasonic on their digital and content marketing strategies.

What excites you about growth marketing? How do you see it evolving in the future?

Growth marketing excites me because it’s at the forefront of using technology and data to connect marketing to measurable business outcomes. This is essential right now for marketers who are facing pressure to do more with less and calculate ROI on every dollar spent. Whereas ‘brand’ and ‘demand’ have historically been siloed and even at odds in some marketing orgs, growth marketing embraces a holistic view of performance and a unified strategy across the full customer journey.

What has the structure/flexibility of Right Side Up’s model allowed you to do outside of work?

RSU’s flexible model gives me the time and space to pursue my interests and goals outside of work like fitness (Orangetheory and pilates), travel (work from anywhere!), and adopting a kitten. This promotes my sense of balance and fulfillment overall.

And now, let’s get to the fun stuff…

What did you want to be when you grew up?‍

A teacher or a lawyer. When I was a kid, I used to create my own “lessons” and try (with limited success) to get my friends to pretend to be students in my class. My parents always said I should be a lawyer because whenever I got in trouble, I would deliver them a handwritten argument for why I shouldn’t be grounded!

What do you like to do for fun in your geographic area?

Go on hikes, visit local breweries and wineries, see concerts, take day trips to the coast (including Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, and Big Sur), and attend workout classes.

What’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to?

I did Semester at Sea my senior year of college and visited 12 countries while living and taking classes on a ship (they call it a “floating university”). My favorite place we visited was Helsinki, Finland, because of its natural beauty and the warm/welcoming locals who gave me a tour of all their favorite hole-in-the-wall spots. I also loved Lisbon, Portugal. We took a day trip to Sintra, and the surrounding forest looked like it was straight out of a magical fairy tale.

What’s a TV show that you’re loving right now?

My guilty pleasure is true crime; my recent favorite was American Nightmare on Netflix. I binge-watched it all in one sitting. I also love Tokyo Vice on HBO. I think it’s so cool (and impressive) that Ansel Elgort learned Japanese for the show.

What’s a fun fact about yourself that people wouldn’t expect?

I have a fraternal twin brother who lives in South Carolina.

I also have a hobby where I make earrings out of recycled craft beer bottle caps (“craft beerings”). I’ve always collected cool/artsy-looking bottle cops. I use earring tools to fan out the metal edges, drill holes in them, and attach them to hooks with matching beads. I still have an Etsy shop, and one time I had my own stand at a craft festival in Washington, DC.

Have a growth problem that needs solving? Drop us a line. Or maybe you’re interested in joining the Right Side Up team? We’d love to chat—reach out to talent@rightsideup.co.