We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauren Gontarek a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

My current work situation is very fulfilling!! I’m working as an in-home concierge ear piercing nurse and as an RN at a local pediatric hospital. At the hospital I help kids who are sick and make them feel better. As an ear piercing nurse I get to create a safe and celebratory ear piercing experience in the comfort of their own home. Each ear piercing I love helping kids overcome their fear, give them coping skills to make them brave, and I love seeing their face after!

Lauren , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have been a nurse for 12 years! My previous experience includes a diet tech at a nursing home, a nursing assistant for kids with disabilities at a local hospital, an inpatient and residential eating disorders unit, and currently at a local children’s hospital while also being an ear piercing nurse!

I am married to my husband Andrew (we met on MySpace 17 years ago!) we have 3 girls (ages 7,5, and 4 months old) I love to spend time with family/friends, workout, cross country ski/snowshoe, decorate/organize, cook, and travel!

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!

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 using my nursing skills of 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.

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 back of 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 have done social media reels for Neilmed Sterile Saline Spray. I have done ear piercing pop ups at Minisota 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 vs 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 validating 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, iPad, be in pajamas, watch movie, listen to favorite music, aromatherapy, 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 piercing a range of ages (2months 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 and I pierced the girl there which 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!!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Nursing has been my dream since I was young! Nursing school was the hardest time of my life! I cried a lot, and didn’t think I would make it. With consistent studying and focus I graduated! I obtained my two year RN from Inver Hills Community College. I then went on to Metropolitan State University to obtain my BSN. Achieving both of these degrees was a huge accomplishment, and am still so proud. My ultimate goal was to work in pediatrics. The fact I am doing that currently has been life changing! I’m so grateful.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

My first job was on an inpatient/residential eating disorders unit. I had high interest in this field right out of nursing school. It taught me so many skills and especially verbal first aid and coping skills. At a point I had the desire to get hospital experience. I stayed on-call at the eating disorder facility while also working at the hospital. Switching gears learning more intense medical nursing skills was very stressful, but with much practice and perseverance I have thrived! I’m no longer at the eating disorders facility, just part time at the hospital and doing ear piercings on my own. I love it!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @fiercepiercebylaure
• Facebook: Fierce Pierce by Lauren
• Other: Tik tok: @fiercepiercebylauren