Meet The Team.
Founded by a Storyteller. Powered by a Golden Retriever.
Laurie Barrett - Founder and Principal Writer
The Social Bark began in the early days of COVID, when many small businesses suddenly found themselves disconnected from the customers and communities they had spent years building. In that moment, clear communication wasn’t a marketing tactic - it was essential. What mattered was saying the right thing, in the right way, with credibility and care.
What started as a response to disruption has grown into a long-term writing practice grounded in purpose, judgment, and thoughtful expression. Today, The Social Bark works with individuals and small organizations who value language, and understand that how something is said shapes how it is received, remembered, and trusted.
At its core, The Social Bark is built on a simple belief: strong brands are shaped by clear voice, earned trust, and writing that holds up over time. My work brings together the instincts of a writer, the discipline of structured thinking, and experience shaped inside established organizations - balanced by firsthand knowledge of what it takes to build something independently.
Rooted in New England and influenced by its quiet confidence and enduring craftsmanship, my approach favors substance over volume and longevity over trend. The work spans editorial, technical, and narrative forms, always guided by the same standard: writing should be considered, credible, and purposeful.
— Laurie Barrett
“Life is meant to be chased.
Settle in, but don’t settle.”
Sir Winston Finley - Chief Canine Officer.
Born on the Fourth of July, 2024, Sir Winston Finley joined The Social Bark in the fall of that year. A Vermont native, he brings a spirited attitude and a feisty approach to the business - though he is frequently found napping during work hours. He is, admittedly, on a performance plan until further notice.
A devoted enthusiast of tennis balls, marrow bones, and everything outdoors, Winston is willing to work for treats and the occasional car ride to the park.
Also known as WinnFinn, Winsta, Stage Five Clinger (and “Boops” on his better days), his contributions are largely morale-related, but no less essential.
IN LOVING MEMORY
MS. LILLY TUUKKA - Branch Manager
Born in Bristol, Maine and named with a nod to former Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask, Ms. Lilly Tuukka was more than a team member - she was the heart and original founder of The Social Bark.
Lilly held the title of Branch Manager (and yes, she took it literally) until her passing in February 2024, after a courageous battle with liver cancer. She was nine years old, and all heart until the very end.
Our story began when she was just four weeks old - ribboned in orange, impossibly tiny, and already in charge. She wasn’t exactly born to retrieve (I fetched most of the balls), but she was born to lead - with joy, grit, and unwavering commitment to 4:30 a.m. wake-up calls.
Because of Lilly, I learned to greet the sunrise, love the woods, and find peace in quiet places.
She inspired hikes, road trips, late-night edits, and early-morning brainstorms. Whether we were chasing trails in Massachusetts or wandering the backroads of Vermont, Lilly was my constant co-pilot—in work, in life, and in everything that mattered.
“You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us.” - Robert Louis Stevenson
She wasn’t just the best dog. She was the bestest dog.
Lover of sticks, treats, swimming, and her human Mom. She is profoundly missed. ❤️
Ms. Lil’, Suchagoobahdog, Puppers, Lillypad
2/26/14 - 2/6/24
HELP CURE CANINE CANCER.
Please consider donating to the Morris Animal Foundation, a nonprofit organization that funds research to improve the health of animals. The MAF was founded in 1948 by veterinarian Mark L. Morris Sr. after he developed a special diet for a dog with kidney failure. The MAF's mission is to bridge science and resources to advance animal health.
To learn more, visit: https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/