WERC members come from diverse industries and backgrounds, bringing unique perspectives that shape our profession and WERC itself. For this member spotlight, we connected with Lauren Turner (left), managing partner at TurnKey Housing. She talks about her career journey, supplier challenges, and finding a sense of accomplishment within our industry.
How did you get started in the global talent mobility space?
I started in the mobility space in 2009, shortly after graduating from the University of Delaware. Like most who join our industry, I stumbled upon a role in an industry I knew nothing about and soon couldn’t imagine another career path. I find great satisfaction in the human-centric nature of our work and truly enjoy assisting individuals during some of the most challenging times in their lives, as they relocate and require temporary housing.
What are some of the key milestones or achievements in your career?
I began my career in corporate housing with Churchill Living, initially focusing on customer service before transitioning to an inside sales role. Subsequently, I joined AFR Furniture Rental as a regional sales representative and was quickly promoted to lead the business development team. In 2015, I was given the opportunity to contribute to the sales development of a new market for Weichert Corporate Housing in Washington, D.C., collaborating with prior colleagues and industry mentors.
Three years later, I founded Sojurn LLC, a customized long-term furnished housing solution. After achieving significant growth over a five-year period, Sojurn merged with TurnKey Housing Solutions in 2023. While launching Sojurn was a considerable feat, the merger with TurnKey stands as my most significant accomplishment, reflecting the dedication and hard work of our entire team in serving the talent mobility sector, along with many other clients. I am immensely proud of the successful integration and the accomplishments we have achieved over the past year.
What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities in this industry?
We are currently navigating a unique phase in our industry where suppliers are experiencing a slowdown in demand from mobility clients. This period of lower demand presents a significant opportunity for all mobility suppliers as an ideal time to attentively listen to our clients’ needs and develop innovative solutions. This type of opportunity for strategic reflection and development is much less prevalent during times of high business activity. Now is the perfect time to consider how we can position ourselves and our clients for future success.
Are there any emerging trends or innovations in talent mobility that excite you or that you believe will shape the future of the industry?
Corporate housing suppliers operate in a distinctive segment of the talent mobility industry where, oftentimes, you’ll find collaboration over competition. Many, if not all, Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA) accredited companies—which are the most reputable companies in our field—work together to deliver our services and products to clients beyond the scope of our own inventory. I am deeply committed to fostering strong partnerships with other corporate housing companies and am excited to see the growing trend of transparency between partners and clients. This increased openness is enhancing client trust in their preferred partners, as evidenced by the continued support and reliance on these partners' services and their own highly vetted supply chains.
Do you have any recommendations or advice for aspiring leaders in this industry?
It is easy to become focused on the visibility that often accompanies success, particularly as a sales leader or business owner. I believe in the importance of remembering that the intrinsic satisfaction derived from daily work far outweighs fleeting moments of recognition. While awards and external acknowledgment are valuable and wonderful ways to provide acknowledgement for hard work, I believe that true success is achieved through the fulfillment of your own career and financial goals, coupled with a genuine passion for what you do. Recognition can’t make you love what you do, but if you stay true to your own motivations and reasons for pursuing your goals, the rest will follow.