We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Mittendorf and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I think that this work life balance obsession has gotten totally out of hand. There is no balance in life, and I think the older you get you start to actually realize that. Work is a PART of all our lives, it is not separate. We spend most of our lives working, so I think it’s important to cultivate an environment where you want to be, with people you want to be with. I don’t day dream about getting away from my co workers and employees, I love spending time with them, watching them succeed and grow as individuals and growing together as a team,. Life will always have ebbs and flows, sometimes we need to make sacrifices in our personal life to grow into different parts of our work, and other times, our personal lives require more attention from us and our work is pushed aside a little. I encourage people to let go of the shackles of searching for a balance that can never exist.

What should our readers know about your business?
Oh, it is never easy, but nothing worthwhile in life is. I try to have a no quit mentality everyday, let alone every challenge. I truly believe hard work and consistency is simply the answer to everything. People have a tendency to give up too soon, but if you push past the adversity and hard times, the payoff will be there for you.
What we have created at True Few, and are starting to implement at the Rhode is Community over Competition. We believe that if we work together, and support one another, we will rise up together. There is more than enough to go around. Another motto of ours is Seriously Fun, Fun Seriously. We believe that working hard is the only way to achieve success, but why can’t we have fun doing it? We take our job extremely serious, and aim to provide exceptional customer service to everyone that walks through the door, but we also want to have fun with our clients, and with each other.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh my goodness, I love this question. OK a week in Phoenix,
I would start with an early morning hike at North Mountain, and stop in at Cultivate Coffee for a 1/2 sweet chocolate banana iced latte, I know i sounds crazy but its so delicious.
I would then take her to Brass Armadillo to search for treasures, after some rest in the hammock in my backyard, we would go to 1912 for a cocktail, and dinner at Restaurant Progress.
Day 2 we would head to Uptown Plaza for an early morning yoga class at Sweat Shop followed my manis and pedis with iced teas fro AJ’s. We would pop into Muse to say hello to Victoria, and look for an outfit for dinner at Rokerij and drinks at Linger Longer Lounge.
Day 3 we would sleep in and go have breakfast at Joe’s Diner, followed by Nola Style iced coffees at Moxie Coffee. We would bop around to some Goodwills, Savers, Buffalo Exchange, pick up some souvenirs at Frances and book shopping at Book Gallery, my favorite store in the Valley.
Day. 4 we would head out for a hike at Superstition Mountain, check out the old mining town, and tour around Boyce Thompson Arboretum, then to bed early, this week is exhausting.
Day 5 we would have a spa and pool day at the Biltmore Hotel, and dinner and martinis at Wrigley Mansion
I think 5 days is a long enough visit for me!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh my goodness, where do I even begin? I believe above everything that success of any kind is fueled by those around us. After recently completing our latest project, The Rhode, it was beyond apparent to me how much my village helped make this all possible, My husband Matt Mittendorf is my number one teammate, encourager and supporter, his belief in me allows me to dream big, knowing he’s there to help me execute. My teammates at True Few Hair Salon, my incredible friends, and all of my clients that are so loyal and so invested in what we are doing, they are the bread and butter that make all of this possible. We are so blessed to operate in such a vibrant and passionate community of Central Phoenix. Community over Competition is our motto and always will be.

Website: www.true-few.com www.therhodephx.com

Instagram: @truefewsalon @therhodephx

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