Meet Kelly Laudadio | Ringmaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Laudadio and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, what do you want your legacy to be?
What a thought-provoking question! I guess the number one thing I would want people to remember about me is that I gave them my all. It is very important to me, both personally and professionally, to make people feel as important as they are. I hope every person I come in contact with walks away from me standing a bit taller, feeling a bit more special, laughing a little more – overall just feeling as special as they truly are – and ready to let their light shine!

Cheesy, I know, but it’s important! That’s why I’m going to compliment that dress you’re wearing so well as I pass you in the street, or dedicate the time to make sure your event has that extra little *something* that makes it memorable for both you and your guests… it’s why I never hesitate to tell my friends/clients/nieces/nephews/etc how proud I am of them and specifically for what.

It’s also why I’m always saying yes – to the charitable organization, or the friend who needs help organizing their home/office, or to showing up to the sports games.. I will give my all, be it to the cause or the person, until I have nothing left – which will never happen because giving back is what fills my own cup!
We all rise by lifting others and I want people to remember that I spent my life trying to build each and every one of them up wherever and however I could.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I have done just about everything professionally, and consider myself to be a serial entrepreneur. Every new opportunity excites me! After working in the restaurant industry and nanny-ing my way through grade school and college, I went directly into the staffing industry. I started in Corpus Christi, where I was so successful, I put the #1 staffing firm in the industry out of business in my territory because everyone wanted to work with me! That company called and wanted me to come work for them, but I declined, instead opting to work in wine sales. I had the best time with that job, but all that wine tasting started to turn my teeth purple, so I had to give it up after a year!

I went back into the staffing world – this time accepting the offer from RHI – and worked for them throughout the Texas and New England markets for several years.

When social media started to become a “thing”, I came home to Texas and started my first company – a social media marketing firm that focused on food, drink, fashion, and lifestyle. Never one to settle, I quickly expanded that into personal gifting and shopping, which I LOVED! Spending other people’s money, and getting paid for it, was a dream! HAHA!

Through all of this, I was ingratiated into the Houston food scene – meeting more and more chefs, owners, dreamers, etc… and it gave me and some friends our own dream – we wanted to host small intimate dinners our own way, making every last component special, and offering that “family feel” at all our events.
Thus, LMN Hospitality was born. Since it’s inception, it has only evolved… I can’t cook to save my life, but I know good food, and I can sell and plan a party better than most – all things no chef wants to do! So, I now work with several chefs who love to cook, and I get them work. It’s a win/win/win for us all – the clients are exposed to incredibly talented chefs, the chefs get to do what they love without the headache, and I get to put together some beautiful experiences and work with amazing people all around! We now offer meal prep, in home dining, private events, cooking classes, cocktail parties, children’s parties, etc to everyone from professional athletes and celebrities to the Mom & Dad looking for a fun night with friends.

During the pandemic, obviously our business took a major hit. During that time, I messaged my old boss’s boss’s boss in the staffing industry on LinkedIn and said “Hey, if you know anyone who needs someone in business development, I’m not doing anything right now”, and he hired me immediately, giving me ownership of the Texas region for his break-off company, Syntagma Group.
Naturally, right after I went back to the staffing world, people got sick of cooking for themselves and LMN’s business picked back up tenfold!

Both LMN and Syntagma are doing so well, I can’t give up either… and I still find time to do a bit of personal shopping on the side – just for good measure! 😉

I guess the biggest lesson in my story is this… keep going for it! If you want to try something new, try it – you might love it, you might hate it, but you’ll never have the regret of NOT trying. Ask for the opportunities – what’s the worst you can be told, no? Better than not asking! Encourage yourself, be brave, and encourage those around you.. bring them with you. You’ll never know what you’re truly capable of if you don’t at least give it a shot!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, obviously, we’re going to do a lot of eating! We’re going to hit up Laredo Taqueria on Washington, The Flying Biscuit, and Buffalo Grill for breakfast; of course, Mala, Hugo’s, Uchi, Coltivare, and Himalaya for dinners; we’re going to get a drink and the hot dog from Turner’s; a bottle of wine (or many) on the patio at Etoile; we’ll definitely watch weekend football at R bar on Houston/Dart; and then we will likely take in a broadway show. Knowing me, I’ll have volunteered us at BEAR (be a resource for CPS kids) or some other charitable organization at some point, so some time will be spent doing that, too!

Lastly, we’ll go get EJ’s brunch burger at Sporting Club to cure the hangover before said friend catches a flight back home!

Alright, so let’s jump right in! The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there a person, group, organization, book, etc. that you want to dedicate your shoutout to? Who else deserves a little credit and recognition in your story?  
Oh, gosh, SO many people!! Obviously my built-in network: I cannot get through a single day without the counsel of my Mom, the wisdom of my Dad, and the cheerleaders in my daily life. I am fortunate to have so many women I look up to that I’m able to call on for advice in any situation – be it Kelly Simon, the ever evolving entrepreneurial success story; Sherronda Scoggins, my partner in leveling up events; the women I’ve met through my volunteer work at charitable organizations that are a constant source of inspiration and support (Tammy Hetmaniak, Jordan Seff, Natalie Mohtashami, Betsy Mercer); my “second mama”, Patti Speed; my nieces and nephews who keep me “hip” and up with the trends; and so many more that I am going to regret not remembering by name right now!
And then there’s EJ Miller (separated because he’s a male!!), who has stuck by my side thick-and-thin, listens to all my personal and professional complaints and triumphs, and is my closest “industry” friend who actually understands all the words coming out of my mouth!

I wouldn’t be who, or where, I am today without each and every one of them.

Website: www.LMNhospitality.com

Instagram: @LMNhospitality

Linkedin: klaudadio

Facebook: LMNhospitality