We recently connected with Lauren King and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?

The most important lesson I learned as a business owner came from working at The Boardroom, where I had one of my worst experiences with leadership. Ironically, it was this toxic environment that showed me exactly what kind of leader I wanted to become by giving me a front-row seat to what doesn’t work.

To set the scene, The Boardroom was a high-end barbershop, and the team had a lot of potential, but the leadership was consistently negative, uncommunicative, and dismissive of the staff’s ideas and contributions. It wasn’t just about being demanding—it was the lack of respect, empathy, and understanding that created a toxic culture. I felt like my voice didn’t matter, and this feeling spread across the entire team. The effects were obvious: high turnover, low morale, and a constant sense of dread in the workplace.

I realized that people will never feel motivated or engaged in an environment where they aren’t seen or heard. But it was more than that—poor leadership doesn’t just stifle creativity, it kills passion. I knew I couldn’t thrive in that space, and I started paying close attention to the aspects of leadership that were missing. That’s where the contrast came in—watching what didn’t work inspired me to envision the opposite and bring it into my own business.

Now, as a business owner, I emphasize connection and open communication with my team and community. I lead by creating a space where everyone feels heard, respected, and encouraged to share their ideas—because I know firsthand how powerful that can be. Instead of controlling or micromanaging, I guide with empathy and understanding, making room for creativity and independence. This experience taught me that leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about collaboration, trust, and uplifting others to shine in their roles.

So, while my time at The Boardroom wasn’t the easiest, it was essential in showing me how to lead through contrast. It gave me the tools to create the kind of environment that I thrive in and, more importantly, that I know others can thrive in too.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who are new to my story, I’m the founder of The Aunty Alchemist, where I combine my intuitive gifts with over 17 years of experience in the beauty industry to provide spiritual guidance and transformative services. My journey started as a barber, hairstylist, and makeup artist, and while I loved helping people feel beautiful on the outside, I began to see the need for healing on a deeper, spiritual level. That realization set me on a path to becoming a spiritual leader, tarot reader, and energy healer, where my mission is to help people transform their lives from the inside out.

The services I offer range from tarot readings and spiritual coaching to classes that teach emotional alchemy and self-love. I also use my platform to share insights from higher spiritual planes, guiding others through difficult life transitions, helping them heal, and showing them how to build lives filled with love and purpose. One of the most impactful services I offer is my tarot reading, where I don’t just give answers—I change people’s karma by helping them see things from a higher perspective and empowering them to make new, aligned choices.

What sets me apart is the combination of my spiritual gifts and the practical, real-world experience I gained from my years in the beauty industry. I have a unique ability to connect with people on both a personal and spiritual level, which allows me to meet my clients exactly where they are, helping them find clarity and direction, no matter their circumstances. I don’t just use tarot or spiritual tools—I blend intuition with real-world wisdom, making complex spiritual concepts accessible to anyone.

I’m most proud of the community I’ve built around The Aunty Alchemist. My clients often tell me they’ve never felt more seen or understood, and that’s the core of what I do: creating spaces where people can heal, grow, and thrive. I’ve also built my brand on the idea that we are all inherently worthy and whole, which is something I emphasize in everything I teach. Self-love, emotional resilience, and spiritual growth are all tied to recognizing the divine within us.

If there’s one thing I’d want potential clients, followers, and fans to know, it’s that my work is about transformation and empowerment. Whether you come to me for a tarot reading, a class, or spiritual coaching, my goal is always to help you find your own power, heal what’s been holding you back, and guide you toward creating a life you love. At The Aunty Alchemist, we’re not just about spiritual insight—we’re about real, lasting change that comes from within.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Yes, my side hustle did turn into my full-time career, and it all happened quite unexpectedly. Before I started The Aunty Alchemist, I was living my best life as a barber, running my own shop and really loving the craft. But then, life took a sharp turn.

It all started at a family barbecue, where I was racing my husband down an obstacle course. Of course, I was determined to win (which I did, by the way!). But just as I was pulling myself up on the rope at the top of the course, I felt a sharp pain in my finger. I didn’t think much of it at the time because, well, I wanted to win the race! But when I got to the finish line and looked down, I realized I had cut my finger deeply—so much so that I could see the bone.

I was rushed to the ER, and after several stitches, I was told to rest and let it heal. Once the stitches came out, I still didn’t have any feeling in my finger. As a barber, especially one who uses a straight razor, having full feeling in your fingers is essential for the finesse and precision of the job. Unfortunately, the injury left me unable to perform my work fully, and after some time, I made the tough decision to close my shop.

That’s when my side hustle with tarot started to become something more. While my hand was healing, I began to work with my tarot deck more regularly, diving deeper into the spiritual work I had always been passionate about. What started as a hobby quickly grew into something much bigger. I realized I had the ability to not only read tarot but to help people on a much deeper, spiritual level. Clients came to me for guidance, and it became clear that this was the next chapter of my life.

Some of the key milestones along the way included shifting my focus from doing occasional tarot readings for friends to offering them professionally, creating The Aunty Alchemist brand, and building an incredible community of clients who seek both spiritual guidance and practical wisdom. As I grew, I began to expand my services, offering spiritual coaching and teaching emotional alchemy, which allowed me to help people transform their lives in meaningful ways.

Looking back, what felt like a devastating injury was actually the catalyst for an entirely new career—one that fulfills me in ways I never could have imagined. The transition from barber to spiritual leader wasn’t planned, but it was the exact path I was meant to take.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I met my business partner, who also happens to be my husband, at the end of 2016 while working at The Boardroom. It’s a funny story, actually, because at the time I was dealing with some really unpleasant management. My assistant manager would manipulate the bookings to take all the new clients she found attractive, even though company policy was that new barbers like myself should be prioritized. Management didn’t care, and HR was a joke, so it was a challenging environment.

One day, my future husband was one of my assistant managers clients, and although he was sitting in her chair (not having a good time), he tells the story of how he saw me walk by and immediately felt drawn to me. He didn’t know who I was at the time, but he was determined to book an appointment with me. When he came back a month later, he decided to choose ‘Lauren’ from the booking list, hoping it was me—and luckily, it was.

When I called his name for his haircut, I remember how composed yet enthusiastic he was. He greeted me with a confident smile, a fantastic handshake that I literally felt a spark from and we hit it off right away. We had an easy, natural conversation, and although he mentioned having a girlfriend at the time, I didn’t think much of it. I just enjoyed getting to know him as a client, and he became someone I looked forward to seeing in my chair.

The next month, when he came back, he mentioned that he had recently broken up with his girlfriend, and I could tell he was letting me know that he was now available. I still didn’t make any moves because I trusted my intuition, which told me to wait.

For the next five months, we continued getting to know each other while maintaining a professional relationship, and over time, our connection deepened. Then one day in May, he came in, and there was something different about him. He had a relaxed confidence, and we started talking about an upcoming comic con we were both attending. That’s when I finally took the initiative and asked him if he’d like to go together. It turns out he had planned to ask me the same thing, so it felt like the perfect moment.

We went to the con, spent the day with our friends, and had an amazing time. Later that evening, while we were at the local nerd hangout Neil’s Bahr with our group, we stepped aside to get a drink, and that’s when he leaned in and kissed me. From that moment on, we were inseparable.

Our relationship was built on a strong foundation of friendship and mutual respect, which is why I think we’ve been so successful both personally and professionally. When I started The Auntie Alchemist, I realized I needed help with the technical side of the business, and his skills as a software engineer were exactly what I needed. He handles everything I’m not particularly fond of and we work incredibly well together because we understand each other’s strengths. Starting with friendship allowed us to build something that lasts, both in life and in business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theauntyalchemist.com
• Instagram: @theauntyalchemist, @theauntyalchemistapothecary
• Youtube: The Aunty Alchemist

Image Credits

Jeremy King