Meet Lauren Arnke | Hairstylist and Suite Owner

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

Hi Lauren, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
Tell me what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life.” -Mary Oliver

This quote found me during a coaching seminar while I was attending the Aveda Institute in 2007. I had just gone through some major life changes and was feeling quite lost. While I had always been interested in both personal development and poetry, something about this quote shifted something in me. It was then that I realized then that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

After feeling burnt out from working in restaurants for about 6 years, I applied to the Aveda program hoping to find a career that would allow me to be of service, work closely with clients and peers, and have creative freedom. Beauty school felt like home. That I finally had a place to learn and grow through a craft, not just have a job. When we started our week of personal development coaching with “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Steven Covey, I was so inspired and excited by the idea of exploration of self and how to strive for integrity and accountability in everything we do. That’s when I met Mary Oliver’s work.

When I started my apprenticeship, I knew on-going education would be part of my career and life forever. I was so blessed to find an intense training program that included working with master stylists, learning from educators from the industries top brands, and also included coaching and business skills. After years of working my way up to educator in the salon, having my second child, and examining how my values were showing up in my business, I decided it was time to move on to independent stylist in a smaller salon.

At this point, my life took a drastic turn. I went through a terrible divorce, only got to be with my children 50% of the time, and had to walk away from an educator position that meant a lot to me. Needless to say, I was absolutely overwhelmed. Little by little, I started digging deep to find inspiration to stay the course. That I knew doing hair was something that I wanted to master, and also to get back to education one day. Imagine after that a salon move, a pandemic, another move, and now running an independent salon suite. It’s been quite the journey.

In that time, I have continued my education not only for skillset, but I’ve also pushed myself as a business owner and human. I believe that when we show up in integrity, things will go our way. Asking myself to show up in a way that allows for abundant opportunities has meant shifting the narrative I held about who I am, what I do, and why I do it.

My “WHY” will always be my children. Raising children who are kind, empathetic, generous, hard working, and self aware is no easy task, but it is my mission to provide a life for them that feels safe and infinite. Any time I feel the pressure of what it means to show up, I remember this quote that has been with me all along. I want to create a safe home, a safe salon, and a safe community by being my best self and taking advantage of opportunities that will create growth and freedom for myself and the people I love and care for. My next goal is to open a salon focused on education, personal and professional growth, diversity and inclusion, and building community. I currently have a large poster of this quote in my studio as a reminder that time is limited, things are often messy, and it’s up to me to decide how to take advantage of this beautiful, wild, precious life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart is my sheer dedication to growth. I have developed a mindset that even the hard stuff is an opportunity to learn and to work on myself and my business.

I can do amazing hair all day long, but nothing can replace my passion for showing up better each day. I look forward to getting back to education so I can share what I’ve learned all these years.

And I am excited that I have niched down my service menu to just a few things I am best at to ensure a smooth experience for both myself and clients.

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.
I love the Denver restaurant scene! I would also take a guest to see some of the natural beauty of our area.

I think walking is one of the best ways to see Denver, so I’ll often get dropped off at a breakfast spot like Pete’s Kitchen or Jelly, or hot yoga class at Core Power, and then walk around the neighborhood checking out some of the old buildings in Capital Hill, head over to the Clyfford Still Museum, or head downtown for a more bustling scene in Rino or Larimer Square. Both areas are also great for shopping and grabbing coffee or drinks. Happy hour at Shells and Sauce is a fave! And my favorite thing right now is to enjoy a drink and app at a few different places, specially Barcelona and Cart Driver in Rino. Of course we would want to get out into nature, so a drive to Boulder or Red Rocks to hike around and get snacks on the way back is my favorite way to see the mountains without a long drive.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my story to The Parlour. My first salon and apprenticeship was so impactful on the person I am, and how I approach my craft. I knew at the time that it was a special place, but I took for granted just how much talent was in the room at any given time. Also the SBDC, our local business SBA chapter for their wonderful leadership programs. And of course, my kids.

Website: https://www.highpriestesshairco.com

Instagram: @high.priestess.of.hair

Facebook: @high.priestess.of.hair

Image Credits
Personal photo: McKenzie Biggliazi