Hair has always been our passion. Lauren started styling at 19, and Robby soon followed, drawn in by her talent and the industry's energy. We spent years side-by-side in a Houston salon, honing our skills and dreaming bigger.

Houston was exciting, but a yearning for a slower pace and connection with nature grew. We craved a hometown feel where we could raise a family and build a life beyond the salon walls. We landed in a charming town, ready to embrace a new chapter.

Booth rental at a larger salon seemed like the next logical step. Yet, a frustrating experience trying to buy our first house as self-employed stylists was a wake-up call. It wasn't the only option.

The idea of opening our own salon, a true career salon for stylists to thrive, started to simmer. But how? We didn't have a roadmap. Enter fate.

One of the original founders of Summit, a local guy, walked into our salon. Initially hesitant about business coaching, we couldn't ignore Randy Kunkel's genuine interest. He trusted us with his family's hair, after all - a testament we couldn't dismiss.

He invited us to a Summit Immersive event. Stepping into that room, we were blown away. The possibilities for growth, not just for our business, but for our team, were endless. We stayed up all night, buzzing with excitement about the educational opportunities Summit offered. Hiring a Summit coach that day was a turning point.

It's not an exaggeration to say Summit transformed our lives. The support, structure, and knowledge we gained were the missing pieces. This transformation extended far beyond us, impacting every member of our team. We're eternally grateful.

Another "meant-to-be" moment led us to Michaela Baskerville, our Summit consultant since 2012, who lives just down the street. With her guidance, we've grown from one location to three, a feat we never dared to dream of back in Houston.

Even more rewarding is seeing our "day one people" still thriving alongside us. It's a testament to the environment we've nurtured.

For Robby, this journey started with love and support for Lauren's dream. He transitioned from construction to hair because he believed in her. Beyond opening a business, he wanted her to chase her passion and succeed. Witnessing his team grow, both personally and financially, brings him immense satisfaction.

Lauren's path was paved with a touch of rebellion. College was the expected route, but a cool cosmetology student changed her perspective. Despite skepticism from family, she pursued her dream, determined to prove the industry's worth as a career path. While she enjoys client relationships, empowering other stylists brings her deeper fulfillment.

This journey wasn't without challenges, especially after leaving the security of Houston. But our shared values were always front and center. We wanted to empower women to be financially secure, create a supportive and positive work environment, and combine our passions to build a successful business. Today, we look back with pride, knowing we achieved all that and more.