We are spotlighting the winners of Beauty Launchpad's 25 Under 50K contest for 2025, sponsored by SalonCentric.
Here, you will get to know Laura Symons (@iamlauraelizabeth), an educator and owner of Aura the Art of Hair in Frisco, TX who specializes in salon education and extensions.
Q&A with Laura
Beauty Launchpad (BLP): What is a fun fact about you?
Laura Symons (LS): I used to compete in strong man competitions, and I won once and placed second twice.
BLP: How did you get your start in the industry?
LS: I started my journey as a salon assistant at my very first salon, and over time, I advanced to become a top stylist and specialized in extensions and toppers. I became an educator for aspiring assistants and grew my career as an educator, sharing my passion by teaching with an extension company across the country for over 14 years. I always sought out opportunities to connect with other successful stylists and embraced chances to grow, even if it meant volunteering my time. These experiences have truly shaped my path.
BLP: What is your proudest accomplishment/achievement in the industry so far?
LS: Opening my studio and supporting a team of highly talented stylists in growing their careers. I’ve spoken on stages, taught with amazing companies and been nominated for hair competitions, but helping others develop their careers remains my proudest achievement.
BLP: What is your current favorite hair/nail trend?
LS: Toppers + Crowns. I’ve been helping women with thinning hair for over 15 years, and I am LOVING that toppers, mesh integration and crowns are finally getting the attention they deserve.
BLP: What is a tip you have for your fellow beauty pros who are looking to grow their following on socials?
LS: Share what your ideal customer wants to see, be consistent with your posting and stay social. Bonus Tip: Stop comparing your content to those who are not your target audience.
BLP: What advice would you give to the younger version of yourself just starting out in the industry, looking back on your whole career?
LS: Learn from people who are where you want to be, and ask “How can I help you?” to get to where you want to go.
BLP: What is a tip/technique you’ve learned that’s helped you be more efficient/successful in your services or business?
LS: When pricing my services, I always consider how long it takes me, the cost of my product and how much I want or need to earn. I follow a three-part pricing formula that allows me to charge based on time or costs and helps build confidence when discussing my package options. Plus, it reduces emotional discounting when checking out my clients.
BLP: Who is someone you consider a mentor/role model in the industry?
LS: I’ve worked with Elizabeth Faye for five years, and she has changed my life. Her work has helped me build my education company, scale my salon suite, become a better leader and heal my nervous system.
BLP: What is a practice/ritual you have to care for your mental health and set boundaries between your work and personal life?
LS: I honor my “office hours” and turn on my do not disturb mode on weekends and evenings. I used to answer messages, endlessly scroll on social media and be available 24/7. Now, I set aside specific times for that and keep my personal time sacred for my family and mental health.
BLP: What do you think needs to change in the industry to help beauty pros continue to grow and thrive?
LS: We need to set realistic expectations for growth and success, and stop overworking ourselves into burn out as our baseline. Our career is already demanding enough, and setting aside time to work on our business should be a non-negotiable for everyone. I believe in a four-day work week behind the chair, with one day dedicated to back-end salon growth and two full days off.
BLP: What is a career goal you have for yourself?
LS: I would love to expand our micro-salon and help more women with hair loss through toppers and crowns. We are about to grow our salon and move into a larger studio, so we're really excited about this new step. Additionally, I want to teach more stylists how to grow their business without working extra hours by sharing my systems for building a micro-salon. Helping our industry create a better way of doing business is a passion I love to share.
