Knox News 40 Under 40 honors Knoxville mother influencer Laura Graham

Laura Graham, 31, Lifestyle Content Creator

There’s a cause Laura Graham has greater than 32 million likes on TikTok and a mixed digital platform with 1.5 million followers: Her content material is actual and private.

Graham is a Knoxville native and an alumna of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, the place she earned her bachelor’s and grasp’s levels. She is a mother influencer and content material creator specializing in life-style and household content material, and her on-line movies concentrate on her three younger youngsters, her husband and her life in Knoxville.

In 50-100 phrases, introduce your self to our readers

Hi, I’m Laura Graham, a way of life and motherhood content material creator based mostly in Knoxville, Tennessee. As a mother of three, I like sharing the on a regular basis moments that make household life lovely, from elevating little ones to embracing the enjoyment and chaos of motherhood. With a neighborhood of over 1.5 million throughout platforms, I concentrate on genuine storytelling, inventive partnerships and connecting with different girls navigating motherhood, wellness and private progress. My ardour is mixing household, life-style and creativity in a manner that evokes and uplifts others.

When you mirror in your profession up to now, which achievement stands out most?

When I mirror on my profession, what stands out most is constructing an engaged neighborhood of so many ladies and moms who belief me to share authentically about household life and motherhood. The significant connections I’ve made with girls who really feel seen and inspired matter most. I’m additionally proud to have collaborated with nationwide and international manufacturers like Disney, Amazon, Jergens, Dove, Walmart, Paw Patrol, Pampers and Nike whereas staying true to my voice and creating an area that uplifts others.

What is the best skilled impediment you have needed to overcome and the way did you overcome it?

The biggest skilled impediment I’ve needed to overcome is coping with unfavourable or hateful feedback. In this business, I’ve discovered that I am unable to please everybody and never everybody will join with my content material. Early on, it was tough to not take criticism personally, however I’ve grown to brush it off and concentrate on the supportive neighborhood I’ve constructed. I lean on my religion, remembering verses like, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23), which retains me grounded and provides me peace to proceed creating with objective.

What will you concentrate on in 2026?

In 2026, I’ll be targeted on persevering with to develop and have interaction my neighborhood by sharing genuine, family-centered content material that resonates with girls and moms. I need to deepen partnerships with nationwide and international manufacturers whereas being intentional in regards to the kinds of collaborations I’ll tackle, guaranteeing they align with my values. Personally, I’ll be prioritizing steadiness by nurturing my household, religion and well being in order that I can create from a spot of pleasure and sustainability whereas inspiring others to do the identical.

What is your largest skilled dream?

My largest skilled dream is to proceed rising my platform and neighborhood to succeed in 1 million followers on each Instagram and TikTok. Beyond the numbers, I would like that progress to mirror deeper connections and larger affect with girls and moms who discover encouragement in my content material. I additionally dream of collaborating on bigger model campaigns and creating assets of my very own that encourage others whereas staying rooted in religion, household and authenticity.

What mistake did you be taught probably the most from?

The mistake I’ve discovered probably the most from was replying too shortly to a unfavourable remark after I was pissed off. In the second, I let my feelings take over as an alternative of pausing and realizing that not each remark deserves a response. It taught me the significance of taking a step again, giving myself area and typically merely ignoring negativity. That expertise helped me develop each personally and professionally, and now I’m rather more intentional about how I interact with my neighborhood on-line.

What motivates you?

What motivates me most is my household and the neighborhood of girls and moms I’ve been blessed to attach with on-line. Every message I obtain from somebody saying they felt inspired, impressed or much less alone jogs my memory why I do that work. My youngsters encourage me to set an instance of working arduous whereas staying true to my values. My religion motivates me to make use of my platform with objective, to uplift, encourage and create content material that factors others towards pleasure and hope.

What is probably the most overrated piece of enterprise recommendation you have heard?

The most overrated piece of enterprise recommendation I’ve heard is, “Just ignore the numbers and focus only on passion.” While ardour is crucial for a creator, I’ve discovered that metrics matter too. Understanding analytics, engagement and progress is what permits me to show my ardour right into a sustainable enterprise and companion with manufacturers on a bigger scale. Passion fuels the work, however numbers present the roadmap for progress and affect.

What trait do you most need in a co-worker?

The trait I worth most in a co-worker − or, in my case, my administration staff − is reliability. The influencer business can really feel lonely at occasions, so having a staff I can rely upon for trustworthy communication, follow-through and help makes all of the distinction. I would like folks round me who’re collaborative and reliable − who have a good time wins but additionally assist navigate challenges. That sort of partnership not solely retains me grounded but additionally makes the work extra gratifying and sustainable.

What about Knoxville would you want to enhance?

I grew up in Knoxville, and truthfully, I like every part about it. This metropolis has such a particular mixture of neighborhood, Southern allure and family-centered residing that makes it really feel like house in each manner. From the folks to the tradition to the best way it continues to develop, Knoxville has formed a lot of who I’m. I’m actually grateful to be elevating my family right here.

What do not folks find out about you?

Something many individuals do not find out about me is that I grew up enjoying sports activities my entire life and even competed on the Division I degree at Vanderbilt earlier than transferring to the University of Tennessee, the place I met my husband. Sports taught me self-discipline, teamwork and resilience, which have formed a lot of who I’m right this moment. It’s part of my story that is not all the time seen on social media however has had an enormous affect on each my private {and professional} journey.

• Thank you to: Luke Graham (husband); LeeAnn Foster (mom); Brian Foster (father); Liam Graham (son, 5); Lincoln Graham (son, 2); Leighton Graham (daughter, 6 months).
• Years labored at present firm: Seven
• Degrees and certifications: Bachelor of human assets administration, University of Tennessee at Knoxville; Master of Science in administration and human assets, University of Tennessee at Knoxville

– Allison Kiehl