Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Stack.
Lauren, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Ok, I would love to share a bit about my story and how I got to where I am now!
I grew up in Midland, Texas and spent the majority of my younger years attending Trinity School of Midland (Go Chargers!). Gymnastics was my whole world when I was young. It taught me so much about work ethic and drive. I won the Texas State Title on Level 10 and competed in the Jr. Olympics 2 times before taking a game-changing fall and switching over into cheerleading. From there I worked really hard and was awarded All American Cheerleader 6 times and won back to back championships with my cheer team, Alpha. I truly believe cheer taught me a lot about teamwork and being a part of something bigger than myself.
After high school, I knew I wanted to continue cheering + was fortunate to cheer for Texas Tech University where I got my Business Marketing Degree. I am so thankful that my parents encouraged me to get a Business Degree as it has opened the door to me working in multiple industries and gave me the fundamentals to run my own businesses.
Post-college I did a six-month internship for James Van Stavern, an interior designer firm, in my hometown before moving to Dallas, Texas. Not knowing a soul in Dallas, I found myself working in retail at Neiman Marcus. In hind site, I appreciate learning from the absolute best about customer service. About a year after working at Neimans I landed my dream job as an Account Executive + Marketing Manager at the Ritz Group, the leading women’s contemporary showroom at the World Trade Center in Dallas. I represented some of the biggest fashion houses like Monique Lhullier, Badgley Mishka, Tracey Reese and many more to retailers all over the US + overseas like Neiman Marcus, Amazon, Tootsies, Julian Gold and many speciality stores. We had the opportunity to travel to New York often, meet and work with many fashion designers and even speak at the Neiman Marcus Conclave Event. Why the owners, Brad + Kelli, took a chance and hired me I will never know, but it really launched my creative career. Alongside my full-time job, I worked with RSC Show Productions styling for runway fashion shows. I went on to style fashion shows at New York Fashion Week for a few years, worked as a stylist on local tv shows and styled for a billboard campaign.
After the birth of my son, I worked a few last markets and a couple last NYFW’s and decided that wasn’t the life I wanted anymore. I left the glitz and glam to be a stay at home mom in the suburbs. Planning parties became my creative outlet. I love to celebrate my people and show my love through planning a party where they can feel special. I have a tendency to take things right over the top though. I also picked back up my love for an interior design + real estate. We have remodeled and sold 1 home and built 3 homes + in which we rent 2 and live in 1. Our homes have been featured by Better Homes + Garden, Pottery Barn, Frontgate + Ballard Designs on their social media outlets.
I blog our home and parties at LaurenStack.com.
I am also the owner of a small online store Patina + Peonies. Our flower shop is truly the heart of the store and I love that I get to work with my best friend and florist, Jenn Robinson.
My husband and I, over the past couple of years, have also become investors in Ecarra, an environmentally friendly ride-sharing service (think Uber but with Tesla’s) and a soon to open restaurant, The Mayor’s House.
I serve as the co-grade coordinator for my children’s school, Legacy Christian Academy, serve on the junior activities board at Stonebriar County Club, am a sustainer from the Junior League, and a member at Gateway Church.
All the accolades don’t hold a candle to being mama to my greatest pride + joys, Eli, Caroline Carlisle + Collins Claire. I truly am just a stay at home mama who loves to be with my kids 24/7 and works quickly at nap time + after their asleep for a creative outlet which has led to some really fun collaborations with some brands I really admire.
Most of all, every last success in my life just points to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He’s honestly the only thing that really matters but I am thankful He has used me and I will continue to use my life and story to honor Him alone.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, as I was writing out the highlight reel of my life and career it feels like you missed the other half of the story. For every success, there were 10+ failures! I’m thankful to have gone to a small private school growing up because I needed the extra attention and some of the teachers there truly taught me how to learn. Not until after I stopped cheering did I excel in academics. I started my career at the bottom and took some hits along the way but truly failed forward. Fortunately, I have a five-second rebound rate and have kept pushing forward. Everyone wants instant success but hard work + staying in God’s will is the only way to succeed.
Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
My blog, LaurenStack.com, focuses on home decor + party inspiration. Those are two areas that have excelled in the past couple of years.
My social media is truly a lifestyle and incorporates motherhood, fashion and beauty as well as interior decor + event planning.
My store Patina + Peonies is a gift shop that focuses on children’s + women’s gifts. The heart of the store is primarily jewelry. The flower shop is one of a kinda my florist + best friend does the most incredible designs. She has helped with event planning!
I’m most proud that I didn’t feel pressured into pigeonholing myself into one focus. I truly love fashion, event planning + interior design equally and hope to continue to share all three as well as motherhood and my faith as I grow!
What sets me apart is my faith. I’m open to speak about the real-life issues. I heard another influencer say she didn’t want to be known as an influencer but as a normalizer. Blogs have a way of showing just the highlight reel but people connect heart to heart on my little space on the internet. Every last part of my life I want to point back to my Lord + Savior.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe being authentically you, working hard, failing forward, and sharing your heart are what bring success!
Contact Info:
- Website: LaurenStack.com
- Email: lauren@patinapeonies.com
- Instagram: LaurStack
Image Credit:
Alison Woomen Photography
JMar Portraits
Arielle Humphries Photography
Lacy Abercrombie Photography
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