Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Knight.
Hi Lauren, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Let’s start from the very beginning, shall we? As a little girl, I loved giving my Barbie’s new hairstyles and experimenting with my own hair. Fast forward to my young adult years. I stepped away from college and had to begin the hard, soul searching road to my future. I found myself working behind the scenes at Ella David Salon as a receptionist. As I answered phones, talked with clients and saw the salon in action, my eyes and heart opened to this world of beauty and science.
I worked and watched for over a year before making the commitment to attend hair school. Highly motivated to jump into my career, I graduated in 2015 and went back to where it all began – Ella David Salon. I apprenticed under my talented mentor and salon owner, Laura Davidson. She guided and taught me not only the latest techniques, but how to listen to my clients who sat in my chair.
Six months later, I left the comforts of Laura’s guidance and began taking clients of my own. I will never forget the first client who sat in my chair. Scared and excited all rolled into one is the only way I can describe that morning. One client turned into two and two turned into twenty. My heart was beyond happy. Building a clientele is not for the faint of heart – it is slow, steady work that requires patience and commitment. I vowed to stand behind my chair, give my best and show up each day to those who trusted me with their hair. The commitment and sacrifices paid off. In 2022, I took on my first apprentice and taught her, as I had been taught. As her career advanced, My second- and most recent apprentice, Ashland has joined me at Ella David Salon.
My most recent venture has been to launch my own LLC, Lauren Knight & Co. This venture is definitely exciting, yet humbling to my core. The gratitude I have for my family, coworkers and clients who supported me from the beginning, do not go unnoticed. What a great way to spend a day. Chatting with some of my closest friends, all while making them feel beautiful! Wouldn’t you agree?
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I believe with any career, or life in general, there will be many high and low points. One could look at them as struggles, I see them as times that test and strengthen one’s character. I began cosmetology school as a plan B for my future. I did not set out after graduating high school to go in that direction. However, situations and choices of my own lead me home to re-evaluate my future. Once deciding to attend cosmetology school, I mentally had to prepare to successfully enter back into the classroom. This time, however, while working part-time at Ella David and caring for my son, Jameson. I was determined to not accept the stereotype of being a young single mom. I forged on with the help from family and many close friends. The reality is that I lost precious time with Jameson while working and going to school. That being said, my determination to provide a stable life for us both drove my desire to forge ahead. Once I graduated the time then shifted to being available and flexible to the clients that trusted me. That meant, early mornings, late evenings, and all day Saturday. I worked so many late nights, missing dinners and bedtime snuggles I’d never get back. To speak honestly, I did wonder if I was making the right choice for both of us. As I sit here now, deeply established in my career I look back and see the moving parts and sacrifices made are a large part of Jameson and my story. I do believe Jameson has been privy to a front row seat to his Mom making lemonade from her lemons! Along the way, a wonderful man, Phillip, began cheering me on from the side lines while loving Jameson as his own. We are now married and our family has grown to 4! Barry Ford, 8 months, will never see the early struggles his Mom had, but will definitely witness a hard working woman never giving into the temptation to quit. I now have the ability to make a schedule that allows me to be present for my family without the guilt of missing out. Dreams really do come true!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
While I enjoy being versatile and taking on a variety of services, my main specialty is hair color, with blonding and balayage being my most requested. Over the years, balayage has become increasingly popular, especially among my younger clients who prefer a more low-maintenance look. That’s why I developed my signature ‘lived-in balayage’ service, which allows clients to go longer between touch-ups while still achieving a seamless, natural blend.
I’ve invested in multiple advanced education courses to stay updated on the latest balayage techniques, but I truly believe every head of hair teaches me something new. My blonding services are also a huge passion of mine—I see many of those clients every couple of months, and over time, many of them have become more like friends than just clients.
Hair health is always my top priority. I take the time to educate my clients on what products, colors, and techniques work best for their specific hair type, texture, and lifestyle so they leave not only looking beautiful but also feeling confident about maintaining their results. While color is my specialty, I still enjoy taking care of my loyal men’s haircut clients who visit every three to four weeks. I feel very fortunate to be considered a specialist in these areas, but I also love continuing to learn and grow with every client I work with.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
One thing many people might be surprised to learn about me is that my late grandfather, George Poteet, holds the world record for the fastest piston-driven, wheel-driven car — reaching 481 mph in 2020. He was not only an icon in the racing world but also the heart of our family. His legacy inspires me daily, and I take great pride in carrying on the Poteet name through my son, Jameson.
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