We recently had the chance to connect with Lauren Funchion and have shared our conversation below.
Lauren, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
That’s a great warm up question!
Full transparency? Slowing down and getting completely out of the world I’m usually in.
A lot of my days are 12 hour days or jumping from flights into teaching classes or shoots. So one thing Ive done thats really helped recenter things is shutting down and emerge myself into my life with non if the usual things. I shut my phone off, walk through lots of woods or get in my garden. I recently got back into charity work as well. That absolutely puts life in perspective and helps you realize how lucky & grateful we really all should be. All these things have really help switch my brain into a more joyful recovery mode. Especially in a world thats a difficult atmosphere currently.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello again- it’s so great to be back!
I’m a 15 year stylist & educator who’s best known / loves creating beautiful customized color techniques for clients. I also love diving into the health plus body and how it all correlates. A lot of times things happening with our skin and hair is an underlier of something more going on in our bodies. I really love trying to help people find those connections and get answers.
I’m honestly passionate about all things hair. I work parallel to the salon in bridal, education, Fashion Weeks, magazine & photoshoot work. However what I really love is that our industry is all about connecting with people & community.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Ah another good one. At the point in life that I’m now, I truly feel like I’m finally returning to that bold, unique, little girl. The world is a touch place, i think sometimes its easier for people to sifle kids and the uniqueness to help them be at ease in the world as an adult. There’s alwasy so muc going on and sometimes kids naturall behaviors can put a parent over the edge.
I defiantly felt like I was the odd one out growing up sometimes. I always felt different, acted a little different.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely- There has been more than one time I’ve wanted to give up. It’s so easy to get bogged down on yourself when your putting your all into something you want so badly to succeed.
Things consistently not going your way, struggling financially – working at something for years to have it not work out. Then watching someone else succeed after the first few months.
I know for a fact the first 5 years in general o being a stylist or trying to amp up your business almost did me in. I learned quickly though that timing is everything and when a door closes or something doesn’t work out? You have to pivot, then pivot again if its still isn’t happening for you. There’s
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Somewhat- I can put in a mask when I need to. Although, authenticity is pretty high on my list of things to have so I could never pretend to be someone that I’m not. If you’ve ever had a conversation or have been around me you know what I’m talking about. However I’m also a very private personal person too. There’s something sacred to me of having a part of me that only my true friends, loved ones & community know & see. It helps keep my energy leveled so I don’t give away all of me to everyone.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
Learning to turn down things that don’t serve me. Realizing you don’t have to say yes to everything. It feels so scary at first, like you’re going to miss out on the ONE big opportunity that’s going to change the game for you. However sometimes you get so busy saying yes to everything that then the true things you want start to get sacrificed.
Now don’t get me wrong, I absolutely believe in doing things you don’t want to do and working hard or saying yes to things that you don’t necessarily love or light a fire in you- but help catapult or steer you in the right direction. Once you get to where you’re going though? Hone in & set those priorities, everything that doesn’t align with them? Toss it. That includes people too;)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.beautywithfunchion.com
- Instagram: @Beautywithfunchion
Image Credits
@kristinleanneohotography
@arielle.peters
@Vogue
@bettyra
@mattericksonohotohraphy
@nytimes
