Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Gontarek.
Hi Lauren, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Four years ago, a company was hiring pediatric nurses to do ear piercings. A nurse coworker told me about it. I have had some terrible ear piercing experiences, and the thought of being the one to make someone’s ears perfect felt like the perfect match!
My main job is as a Pediatric Oncology Nurse at a local Pediatric Hospital in Minnesota. I also have a nursing background in kids with disabilities and eating disorders. Working with sick kids is very rewarding, but can be hard. Ear piercing is a unique side job where I can use my artistry, along with my nursing skills in infection prevention, maintaining sterility, knowledge of skin integrity, and lessening anxiety!
Pairing my background with piercing ears at someone’s house is a special service I feel honored to offer.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Performing piercing was a learning curve. I do much harder things at the hospital, but with extensive training and my medical background, it has been a smooth process. I have been piercing for almost 4 years so I have pierced hundreds and hundreds of ears! At this point, I know what clients prefer for earrings and the flow of appointments which helps.
When I started, I was nervous about actually getting clients and struggling with that. I think the fact this is such a unique service and not offered in Minnesota has led to a plethora of clients for me! Things that have helped my business get the word out: my social media following increasing from word of mouth, referrals, and posting ads in some local FB groups!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I now own my own business named Fierce Pierce by Lauren. My social media handle is @fiercepiercebylauren. There you can check out photos, reviews, and the experience. I provide in-home concierge ear piercings across the Twin Cities and part of Wisconsin.
This service includes Any earring option (14K gold, white gold, and titanium. All nickel-free + hypoallergenic (All earrings have a bell back enclosed so it will not poke the back of the neck), ear/skin assessment, piercing, Neilmed sterile saline cleaning spray, numbing cream, crown, suckers, stickers, bravery certificate. Nurse check-in at a week + six weeks. Text/call access anytime.
This career has opened up some other opportunities. I create social media reels for Neilmed Sterile Saline Spray (the cleaning spray company where I get spray to give to each client). I have done ear-piercing pop-ups at Minnesota Play Cafe, Honey P’s Boutique, and at the Lake Elmo National Night out in my town. Currently, I am partnered with Adorable Kids Parties. They offer in-home spa parties, and I come before the spa party to pierce ears for the group of kids! These opportunities are super fun, and great to connect with some incredible woman-led businesses in Minnesota!
Offering an in-home ear piercing service is such an intimate, fun experience versus going to the mall or scary tattoo shop. Being at home there’s more time so the child doesn’t feel rushed. I like helping calm down kids (and the parent who commonly is nervous), giving them coping skills to use during the piercing. It’s important to validate their emotion, giving options (putting numbing cream on so they don’t feel it as much, holding still like Anna in frozen, “breathing out while getting pierced blowing out their birthday candles”, and holding the bravery wand. With the convenience of being at home, children can hold their favorite stuffed animal/toy, or iPad, be in pajamas, watch movies, listen to their favorite music, aromatherapy, and eat favorite treats after all to make the experience fun and safe!
It is common for me to do birthdays, piercing parties, mom and daughter piercings, heritage piercing appointments, and piercings for a range of ages (2 months old with first Dtap vaccine on up! I once visited a grandma at a senior center who doesn’t drive and I pierced her ears. She was so grateful and excited to finally wear earrings (holes in her ears closed up 20 years ago). A family from out of state requested me one time so they visited a local Minnesota waterpark hotel I pierced the girl there and she was so excited! I’m so grateful for being able to offer such a special service and make ear piercing a safe and fun experience!!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Have always been very detail-oriented with organizing and setting goals. I wanted to be a pediatric nurse since I was a kid. I always pretended to take care of my dolls.
I am a compassionate person and have always found an interest in connecting with each person I meet.
The options for nursing are endless with where you can work. Having my hospital job, and my own mobile ear piercing business has been very fulfilling!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @fiercepiercebylauren
- Facebook: @fiercepiercebylauren
- TikTok: @fiercepiercebylauren
