10 Years of Leadership: Spotlight on Marketing Director, Rachel Ekstrom

At beautiLofts, our success has been shaped by the dedication and vision of incredible leaders who have been with us since the very beginning. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we’re shining a light on Rachel Ekstrom, our Marketing Director, whose passion and expertise have helped grow beautiLofts into the thriving community it is today. Here is her experience at beautiLofts in her words:

Hi! I’m Rachel Ekstrom, and I’ve had the privilege of being the Marketing Director for beautiLofts since the very beginning back in 2015. When Lauren first shared her vision for beautiLofts and asked me to join her on this journey, it was the easiest “yes” I’ve ever said.

After graduating from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Communications and Writing, I spent several years working in corporate America. But when I had my first child, I knew I wanted more flexibility to be present for my growing family. I made the decision to leave my corporate job and take on freelance marketing clients, helping local businesses while also being home with my children. Around that same time, Lauren was laying the foundation for beautiLofts, and I couldn’t have been more excited to help bring her vision to life.

Growing up with Lauren, I had a front-row seat to her intelligence, dedication, and relentless work ethic. More than anything, I knew how passionate she was about creating a space where beauty professionals could thrive—keeping more of what they earned while doing what they love. Over the past 10 years, I’ve watched beautiLofts grow from one location to four, empowering so many incredible people in our community. One of my favorite things about this business is seeing the camaraderie among our Loft Owners—the way they celebrate each other’s successes, and have built a supportive community, not just a workspace.

Watching so many beauty professionals step into entrepreneurship inspired me to take my own leap. This past fall, I started my cosmetology apprenticeship with Ashley Schlegel, owner of The Hair Atelier at our Washington Township location. By 2026, I’ll be a licensed cosmetologist, and my goal is to open another beautiLofts location in northern Oakland County alongside Lauren.

I’m proud to be a part of this incredible business that has made a lasting impact on so many people across metro Detroit. The last 10 years have been amazing, and I can’t wait to see what the next decade has in store!

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Rachel’s story is one of growth, passion, and taking bold steps toward new opportunities. Her contributions to beautiLofts have been invaluable, and her next chapter as both a marketing expert and beauty professional is just beginning. We’re incredibly grateful for Rachel’s leadership and dedication over the past decade. As we look ahead to the future, we can’t wait to see how she continues to shape the beautiLofts legacy for years to come!