Podcast Summary: The blondEST — "Meet Lauren, My Angel Princess"

Host: Savanna Boda
Guest: Lauren (first esthetician hire at SBA)
Date: January 19, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode of The blondEST, host Savanna Boda sits down with Lauren, the first and only esthetician she’s ever hired into her practice, SBA (Savanna Boda Aesthetics). The episode is a candid, laughter-filled conversation delving into their working relationship, deep friendship, and Lauren’s journey from client coordinator to esthetician. Listeners get an inside look at the unique culture of SBA and the personalities that make it successful.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lauren’s Origin Story at SBA

• Lauren started as a client coordinator before becoming Savanna’s first esthetician, marking a significant turning point at SBA ([00:18]-[00:40]).
• Their professional relationship evolved and strengthened their personal friendship.
• Lauren’s journey was serendipitous: after a negative experience in aesthetics elsewhere, she applied to SBA on a whim when a friend spotted Savanna's TikTok hiring post ([23:57]-[24:38]).

“It really was kind of just so seamless, like the process of her going from client coordinator and then becoming an esthetician... It just really does. It’s like great. I don’t know. I’m so thankful.”
—Savanna ([01:32]-[04:31])

2. Contrasting Personalities & Why They Work

• Lauren is described as extremely patient, calm, and disciplined, in contrast to Savanna’s impulsiveness and high energy ([02:24]-[03:23]).
• They joke about their differences in “love language” and communication (Lauren’s reserved, Savanna’s affectionate).
• Both found joy in their single lives and forged a strong friendship outside of work, going out together and supporting one another through life changes.

3. The Unique SBA Culture

• Team culture is repeatedly praised, with Lauren stating, “I don't think you can find what we have anywhere else, honestly.” ([08:33])
• Savanna emphasizes paying her team well, fostering growth, and keeping promises as core values ([09:09]-[11:12]).
• Open feedback and non-micromanagement are foundational.

“I love that Savannah is just, like, expects our shit to get done, and I… we do it.”
—Lauren ([11:53])

4. Professional Insights & Advice

• Lauren’s favorite products: Barrier Pro Cleanser, Clearing Serum (“my ride or die”), Glow, Epicuren Coconut Body Lotion, Vivid ([07:52]-[28:49]).
• Her favorite treatment to perform: SkinPen microneedling, drawing on her artistic side ([22:23]).
• Both discuss the importance of self-awareness and the myth that everyone should run their own business.

“Hot take: I don’t think that everyone is meant to have their own business… I know I’m not meant for that.”
—Lauren ([09:09])

5. Funny, Memorable Moments

• The “bald day” at the spa: staff in bald caps for a prank, awkward client encounters ensued ([13:12]-[15:20]).
• Lauren recounts the Crescent Hotel cold plunge—a naked spa mishap during a tour ([15:32]-[16:54]).
• The infamous night out: Savannah’s anxiety-induced (and Lauren’s sympathy) vomiting behind a booth at a bar ([17:13]-[18:54]).
• “Boys do the wildest things” story, catching a guy fake a dropped call while watching from a car ([19:31]).

6. Strengths & Challenges in Working Together

• Lauren’s patience and loyalty, Savanna’s impulsive but heartfelt leadership ([04:00]-[30:28]).
• Lauren highlights Savanna’s time management as a challenge, noting she had to “keep her on time” as a coordinator ([20:40]).
• Open discussion of their flaws: Lauren admits she focuses on her own work (“her is done”) more than being a team player ([30:47]-[31:43]).

“But if it’s anyone else’s shit, that’s their fucking problem. And Lauren ain’t helping you. That ship will sink.”
—Savanna ([30:58])

7. Camaraderie, Feedback & Growth

• Both are committed to giving honest feedback, welcoming criticism, and personal growth ([29:43]-[30:28]).
• Lauren values balancing work-life; insists Savanna is in her circle of people who’ve had the biggest impact ([27:06]).
• They bond over being honest, keeping a small circle, and sharing insider “lore” ([25:11]-[27:27]).

8. Quotes & Philosophy

• Running jokes about “water what waters you,” “juice what juices you,” and other self-help clichés, with a series of escalating (and purposely silly) variations ([34:37]-[36:10]).
• The episode ends on an upbeat, irreverent note about team energy, growth, and learning to both give and take feedback.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• Work & Friendship:

  • “Like, I just, you’re not the type of personality that would like, want to… build a business like that.”
    —Savanna ([08:53])
  • “Probably our friendship, because we have, like, our… workshop employeeship. But, like, we also have a friendship outside of work, and we have a good balance.”
    —Lauren ([25:18])

• On Leadership:

  • “You can’t be a selfish leader. Like, you have to be self-sacrificing. And you also have to be able to listen and take feedback.”
    —Savanna ([10:31])

• On Team Culture:

  • “I hate being micromanaged… I like that Savannah is just, like, expects our shit to get done, and I… we do it. That’s why we’re here.”
    —Lauren ([11:53])

• Self-Awareness:

  • “Sometimes, like, you think with blinders on, so it’s just not really looking at the full picture sometimes.”
    —Lauren ([29:08])

• Memorable Spa Capers:

  • “The worst day to have a new consult when we’re all bald and we’re trying to have a serious combo, and we’re just in bald caps.”
    —Savanna ([14:53])

• On Personal Growth:

  • “You’re very willing to grow… I want to grow and I want to, like, know how to be better, how to be a better person.”
    —Lauren ([30:01])

Selected Timestamps

• [01:38] — Lauren’s early days and communication quirks
• [02:24] — Legos and patience story
• [04:30] — “Best thing to happen to me in 2025 was getting divorced and getting close to you.”
• [07:47] — Best advice Savanna's given Lauren
• [08:12] — Why Lauren stays at SBA
• [13:12] — The infamous “bald day” at the spa
• [15:32] — Crescent Hotel naked cold plunge story
• [17:13] — Night out: anxiety and double vomiting incident
• [20:40] — Honest feedback on Savannah’s time management
• [22:23] — Lauren’s favorite treatments
• [25:18] — Rewarding parts of working together
• [29:08] — Honest critique of Savanna’s blind spots
• [34:37] — Playful self-help jargon ("water what waters you")

Tone & Language

• Conversational, humorous, honest, and occasionally irreverent.
• The friendship dynamic is unfiltered with playful teasing and inside jokes, yet there’s depth in their mutual respect and shared experiences.
• Both hosts and guest are engaging, direct, and relatable, often poking fun at themselves.

Conclusion

This episode is a heartfelt, funny, and real look at what makes SBA special: the people. Savanna and Lauren’s friendship-turned-professional bond illustrates how trust, patience, and honest communication can transform a workplace into a family. Stories of work adventures, personal growth, and team “lore” make this a must-listen (or must-read) for fans and newcomers alike.

For more skincare wisdom, workplace culture tips, or just good entertainment, catch the full episode on The blondEST podcast!