Born and raised in upstate New York, Lauren’s path to entrepreneurship started early. Not out of ambition, but out of curiosity.
“I was always trying things,” Lauren says. “Selling crafts, organizing little fundraisers—I liked the idea of creating something and sharing it with people.”
That hands-on approach stuck with her. Over the years, she’s launched and managed several ventures, touching industries like retail, real estate, and personal services. She’s not afraid to get involved in every part of her business—from sweeping floors to setting strategy. That willingness to be all-in is a big part of her success.
But Lauren doesn’t talk much about success. She talks about learning. About resilience. About showing up.
“I’ve made mistakes,” she says. “A lot of them. But I think you learn more from the hard parts than the easy ones.”
One of the things that makes Lauren’s story stand out is how personal it is. For her, business isn’t just about money or growth. It’s about people. Relationships. Trust.
“You can’t fake connection,” she says. “People can tell if you’re just there to sell them something. I try to bring honesty and warmth to everything I do.”
That mindset helped her through some tough seasons—both personally and professionally. She doesn’t go into detail, but it’s clear she’s faced her share of challenges. What helped her stay steady was a mix of grit and grace.
“You don’t always get to control what happens,” she says. “But you can choose how you respond. That’s where your power is.”
Lauren describes herself as adaptable. It’s more than a skill—it’s a survival tool. Shifting markets, family life, unexpected hurdles—she’s learned to bend, not break. And in a fast-moving world, that matters.
“I’ve had businesses that worked. I’ve had businesses that didn’t. And both taught me something valuable,” she says. “You can’t hold too tightly to one idea. You have to keep moving.”
Today, Lauren balances her work with what she calls her “real life”—raising a family, caring for animals, and staying present in her community. She lights up when talking about her pets. “They’re part of the family,” she says. “They keep me grounded.”
Her family, too, is a huge part of her identity. While she works hard, she makes time to show up for the people she loves. That blend of drive and devotion shapes the way she leads.
“I don’t want to be successful if it costs me the things that matter most,” Lauren says. “It’s about building something that fits my life, not the other way around.”
When asked what advice she’d give to someone just starting out, Lauren pauses. Then she says, “Don’t wait to feel ready. You won’t. Just begin. You’ll figure it out along the way.”
Her approach isn’t flashy. She isn’t chasing viral moments or quick wins. She’s building with care. Making decisions with intention. And always staying true to her values.
Lauren’s story is still unfolding. There’s no single business she’s tied to forever, no final destination in mind. She’s open to change, to growth, to what comes next.
“I just want to keep doing work that feels meaningful,” she says. “That’s what keeps me going.”
If there’s a lesson in Lauren Kunz Chateauneuf’s journey, it’s that success doesn’t have to be loud. It can be quiet. Steady. Kind. Built on integrity and fueled by heart.
