Meet Our Team Series: Lauren - Director of Operations
One of the things that makes the Larsen team special is all of our different backgrounds. In this series we would like to introduce you to our team to get to know them a little better.
Meet Lauren. Lauren is Larsen’s longest standing employee. Before she started at Larsen over a decade ago, Lauren worked in the hospitality industry. She has a background in Human Resources and Concierge Services for the hotel industry in Steamboat, where she was born and raised.
When asked what sets Larsen apart, Lauren said she believes that it’s the care and the experience that brings our clients back time and time again. “There is a difference between customer service and hospitality. Hospitality taps into clients feelings and memories after they have stopped working with us,” she says. “I want our clients to feel like old friends. Years ago we had a client who made a big impact on me and changed the dynamic of my client vs builder mentality.” Over the years Lauren and Jeff have reshaped the values of the Larsen Team to include values focused on relationships and how we treat people. “It is the relationships that make us a presold custom builder instead of a spec builder, this is what keeps me passionate about this job,” says Lauren.
Growing up in Steamboat, Lauren was surrounded by the building and the hospitality industries. Her mom being a realtor in town, often brought her along to properties to check them out before showing them to her clients. She had a close family friend who was a spec builder in Steamboat at the time, so when she was hired as an administrative assistant at Larsen, she immediately called to pick his brain about the industry. He told her to never stop asking questions and connect with the other builders in the area.
Lauren got involved with the local Home Builders Association to help her learn the industry and grow her career. She currently sits on the Marshall Fire Taskforce, is the Vice Chair for the Professional Women in Building, and is in their Emerging Leader program. This enabled Lauren to learn from the best in the industry and move up the ranks at Larsen. Over the years she has been a part of our administrative, accounting, permitting, sales and marketing, and human resources and knows the company inside out. “I feel like I learned basics in college but my real education came from all the positions I have held here over the years. It was important to me to be apart of the mentoring program through the HBA because of the valuable tools I have gotten as both a mentee and mentor. Helping people grow their careers is part of the job that I absolutely love, and I am always honored when someone in the industry requests me as a mentor. I want to open opportunities for others so as my kids get older they understand how important it is to do the same.”
Lauren lives in Arvada with her two kids and husband. They spend most winter weekends in Steamboat skiing and spending time with their close knit family. She has been to over 40 countries, often times traveling solo, and while she has an adventurous side, she still loves to curl up with a good book or attend a musical at the DCPA. Lauren is also a special needs mom to her son who has autism. She is involved in the autism community to bring light an acceptance to all.
You may not interact with Lauren every day, but she is typically the first person you talk to when shopping for a builder to the last person who hands you a bag of odds and ends you need when moving into your beautiful new home. Behind the scenes throughout your journey she is putting together draws, making sure our team is set up for success, and ensuring your investment is a solid one. Next time you’re in the office, pop your head in and say hi!
