This week’s “Meet a Business” features the Lawton Group, founded by McKenzie Lawton. I recently had the privilege of meeting McKenzie and was struck by her wonderful energy and kindness. Originally from New York, McKenzie has called Cohasset home for the past three years.
Before founding the Lawton Group, McKenzie spent a decade in customer-facing, strategy, and operational roles across various industries. In 2025, she successfully launched the Lawton Group to provide small businesses with the strategic and operational rigor necessary for real-time growth.
McKenzie specializes in building solid foundations for small businesses and early-stage companies throughout the South Shore and Massachusetts. She brings deep expertise and a “utility-player” mindset to every engagement, acting as a dedicated advocate for her clients.
Read on to learn more about McKenzie’s background, her business journey, and her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Where are you from originally? Upstate New York!
Where do you now call home and how long have you lived there? Cohasset, just about 3 years
How did you start your business? Before founding The Lawton Group, I spent nearly a decade working across customer facing, strategy, and operational roles, supporting businesses in healthcare, HR tech, retail, and service based industries. That experience shaped how I think/thought about growth – not as something flashy, but as something that requires strong systems, clear priorities, and thoughtful execution. I founded The Lawton Group, early 2025, to bring that same strategic and operational rigor to small businesses that are building in real time.
Please tell us more about your business, location, mission, what you are trying to achieve? Tell us all about it! Based but not limited to the South Shore – I am lucky to experience this small business arena that is one of the most epic communities I have ever experienced. I specialize in building rock-solid foundations for small businesses and early-stage companies. With nearly a decade of experience across customer- facing and business development roles, I’ve learned what makes a business thrive: clear strategy, operational efficiency, and a team empowered to execute. From scaling startup teams to creating new processes from the ground up, I bring a utility-player mindset to every engagement. My work is rooted in the belief that exceptional service starts with putting the customer first – and long- term growth begins with smart, strategic thinking behind the scenes. My work has brought me into the weeds (excited & willingly) of a plethora of incredible businesses and ultimately have honored me with getting to these incredible business owners. At the end of the day relationships are my number one priority and this is all an incredible vessel for connection.
What is your favorite part about the work you do? Easily, the people. Founders & owners are creators, they are people who felt the need to bring something to life. No matter the vertical, they had an idea and they acted on it. What a gift to get to surround myself with these folks! I learn from them everyday.
What do you hope to achieve within the next three to five years? I hope to be able to utilize this business to elevate other businesses. I would love the opportunity to “have someone” for any service a business may need. This community has taught me there is someone local or someone hustling in every corner.
What do you find to be the toughest part about running a business? You are your own worst critic and cheerleader. Being able to balance the two is a full contact sport.
What is the best advice you have received as a business owner
Learn to self motivate, because at the end of the day – you need to be the driving force behind your business for others to buy in. Sometimes, delusion is fuel & that can be your super power.
What is your best advice for a someone looking to start their own business or who recently has started their own business? There are few things that can get in your way larger than you, yourself. Being able to see the light through the trees is rare, if you see it – run with it. If you can’t, find someone who will help you see it & be open to transparent communication.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you? I am obsessed with home & yard handy work. Whether I am learning it or executing it, I have had such an interest in it for a long time. I am the proud lawn lady of my household.
Is there a Quote or mantra you live by? Closed mouths don’t eat.
Your go-to Pandora/Spotify/Apple Music station that is playing in the office? Right now, Olivia Dean anything. Typically – Elton John Radio.
Your favorite local spot for: a coffee break, to host a meeting, to work remotely, to get lunch from, and or after work drinks? I love The Black Cat in Cohasset or The Beacon in Norwell for coffee/breakfast meetings. For lunch & coworking Lucky Finn Hanover office spaces or The Collective Co/Brewed 143. Post work – Hooper’s Judge and Salty Days.
Anything else you’d love to share? The South Shore is incredibly lucky to have voices like South Shore Moms to spread the word, elevate those in the community. If you are reading things and align with anything I’ve mentioned – I would love to chat.
Be sure to follow The Lawton Group and visit her website to learn more about her services. If you lead an early-stage business, you can schedule an introductory call to get started.
Over the next few weeks, I will also be introducing several incredible business owners McKenzie works with through our “Meet a Mom” series. Stay tuned for an exciting month of features!