A LIFE WELL LIVED
Lauren Falcione has built her life—and her business—her own way.
Through motherhood, entrepreneurship, and life’s many lessons, she has learned that confidence isn’t about perfection—it’s about authenticity. For our Real Beauty issue, she shares her perspective on beauty, self-acceptance, resilience, and embracing exactly who you are.
BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP
Tell us a little about your journey. What experiences have shaped the woman you are today?
I inherited my father’s unwavering work ethic, and he taught me, “You want it, you work and figure out how to get it on your own.”
Years of animal rescue, even as a teenager, shaped me early on. As an adult, working for The Humane Society and becoming a mother to two daughters helped shape the woman I am today. That built my foundation. The thrill of creating a business came later.
Looking back, what are you most proud of—both personally and professionally?
Personally, I’m most proud of my daughters. They are self-sufficient and successful in their own right. College and careers aside, what’s most important to me is that they are happy people. Knowing they are makes me happiest.
Professionally, I’m proud of the products and business I created by myself from scratch. Fabulous tasting sauces and seasonings designed to make great tasting meals quickly. I may be even more proud of my reputation for excellent customer service. I’m very accessible to my customers and love going above and beyond to accommodate them.
Was there a defining moment when you realized you were stepping into your purpose?
Well, becoming a mother defined my life for me. My purpose became raising healthy, responsible, and kind humans. I wanted to begin my business sooner, but I put it on hold to stay focused on getting through some tough teenage years.
BEAUTY ON HER OWN TERMS
What does beauty mean to you today?
Beauty to me means accepting and loving what you see in the mirror. I’ve never wished I had a different nose, face, body, or whatever. I’ve always appreciated what makes me, me.
How has your relationship with beauty evolved throughout the years?
My beauty routine has evolved. Like, I finally have one!
Exercise, activity, and skincare have become important to me. I was a sun goddess most of my life and now want to take better care of my skin. I cherish the skin I’m in and feel bad that I’ve done so much damage to it.
I moisturize routinely and try to remember to apply sunscreen daily. And don’t forget the teeth! I floss and brush religiously, understanding how closely related mouth care is to overall health and wellness.
Do you believe beauty becomes more meaningful with age? Why or why not?
Beauty, aging gracefully? Ah, no.
I believe in making whatever tweaks, whether surgical or non-surgical, to keep you feeling good and refreshed. I haven’t personally explored procedures yet, but I’m not opposed to it.
I’ve gotten Botox between the brows for about three years now and only three times per year. At my first appointment, the doctor asked, “Why don’t you have any wrinkles? Are you sure you don’t have a face full of Botox?” It was a compliment and an insult to my integrity at once.
I’ve been asked if I have cheek implants. No. Growing up, my friends called me “chipmunk cheeks.” Those full cheeks come in handy for a more youthful appearance as I age.
I’m all for hair color and makeup, too. It’s fun and keeps you feeling fresh at every age.
How do you hope your story influences other women?
I know other women in and around my hometown are influenced by me in positive ways. I’m known as a bubbly personality and a hard-working woman.
Just the other day, some young ladies stopped me in the street and spoke the greatest compliments about me and my business. They said they were “fan-girling,” and it almost made me cry.
Another woman approached me while I was working at an event and said, “I came around that corner, looked at you, and I must tell you that you are really, really beautiful.”
Sometimes I wonder who these people think I am.
To me, all of that is beauty at its most meaningful.
CONFIDENCE & EMPOWERMENT
What gives you confidence today?
What gives me confidence today is knowing what I’m about. I know what kind of person I am, and I truly like that person.
What advice would you give to women who are learning to embrace themselves more fully?
My advice to any woman today, personally or professionally, is:
“There are a million of everything, but only one YOU.”
Have there been challenges in your life that ultimately helped shape your confidence and resilience?
My biggest challenge in business was wanting to create a shelf-stable fresh ingredient seasoning and being told by the Department of Agriculture and two manufacturing facilities that it could not be done.
I was relentless in making that happen. I studied food safety, earned my own license, worked with a food scientist, and legally brought that product to market.
What does empowerment look like to you?
Being told “no” and then finding a way was very empowering.
SUCCESS & SATISFACTION
What qualities do you believe every successful woman should cultivate?
Qualities a woman should cultivate are just being herself. Actually, it doesn’t take practice—it just is. Get used to it. Accept it.
Be nice. Be kind.
Mean-spirited and/or phony is not pretty.
How do you define success at this stage of your life?
Success at this stage of my life means just what I am doing.
I love the business I’ve created with my own two hands. I love to work and count the funds those two hands have earned—lol—but truth.
What continues to motivate and inspire you?
My motivation is myself. My own creativity keeps me going. New challenges are fun to figure out. Stressful at times, but it keeps me moving.
PERSPECTIVE & LEGACY
What is something you’ve learned about life that you wish you had known earlier?
We can’t predict the future.
Everything I learned happened at the time it was supposed to happen. That’s why I don’t really have regrets. I made choices based on the information or knowledge I had at the time, so how can I regret the outcome?
Regrets make you old, don’t have them!
How has age changed your perspective on happiness, success, and self-worth?
Age has changed my perspective a bit. Health and taking care of one’s body must be more of a priority.
I have taken better care of my business than I have taken care of myself these past few years. I realize now I must take care of myself as well, or I won’t be able to take care of my business.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
Loving mother to my daughters, dogs, and cats.
Funny. Fun. Smart. Creative. Talented. Tenacious. Hard-working.
In that order, and that’s it!
BEAUTY & SELF-CARE
What role does self-care play in your life today?
Self-care to me now means keeping a healthy lifestyle, spending more time enjoying my dogs, trying to chill and relax, and taking a walk more often.
I’ve actually been telling myself, “You don’t have to work every minute.”
QUICK QUESTIONS
A word that best describes this chapter of your life:
Satisfied.
One lesson every woman should know:
Whether this applies to me or not, one lesson every woman should know is that you don’t have to accept being verbally or physically abused by anyone. No matter the circumstance, there will be life after leaving the situation.
A daily ritual you can’t live without:
I check my phone first thing to see if my daughters may need me.
Watching my dogs run around the yard while I’m enjoying that first cup of coffee. Enjoying simple things makes me feel beautiful.
Your definition of a modern role model:
Someone who puts their children first and themselves and/or their spouse second. Being kind to animals is also a must.
Through her products, her passion, and her perspective, Falcione continues to inspire others to embrace what makes them unique, live authentically, and create a life they truly love.
To learn more about Lauren Falcione, explore her collection of signature sauces and seasonings, or follow along on her entrepreneurial journey, visit theblondeitalian.com.
