Meet The Team
We are a team of like minded professionals who truly enjoy helping our fellow stylists grow to their full potential. We have a culture of collaboration and an energy that’s fun to be a part of. We know we’re better when we support and build each other up!
xo, gardner team
Abby Jackson
Stylist
Abby has known for the last decade that she would become a hairstylist. Abby loves all color techniques but has a special place in her heart for lived in and dimensional looks, whether that’s blondes, brunettes or even fashion colors. On her days off Abby enjoys spending time with family or hanging out outside, adventuring with her dog.
Check out her work here!
Lauren Oelfke
Stylist
Lauren has been at Gardner & Co Salon since it opened and loves that she gets to make women feel beautiful not only on the outside, but on the inside as well. She is also our Operations Coordinator!
She is an extension expert, being certified with multiple extension brands; but her favorite is Covet & Mane, which she is a coach for (meaning she helps our owner Erin teach extension classes).
She also specializes in low maintenance (lived-in) brunettes and blondes , but also loves a high impact blonde, a solid brunette or anything in between.
Lauren is working on renovating her house with her husband- so she loves talking about design! Her other interests are health and wellness, and her daily coffee!
Check out her work here!
Taryn Broer
Stylist
Taryn has been growing her loyal following of clients since she graduated school in 2003. Her warm personality and natural care-taking abilities make her the incredible hairstylist she is today. Taryn is a cutting specialist who never shies away from a bob, pixie or curly cut. She spent eight years at Spalon in Edina, first doing advanced training herself, and then mentoring up and coming stylists. When she isn’t keeping us entertained here at work, you can find her at home with her husband Bronson and their three kids: Crosby, Hank and Max.
Taryn is currently not accepting new clients.
Lindsey Johnson
Stylist
Lindsey graduated from the Aveda Institute Minneapolis in 2022! After assisting Erin for five months, she has been full time behind the chair ever since! Her love for the industry began when she was a little girl, watching her grandma do hair in the little salon of her home in Forest Lake, MN!
Going into cosmetology school she knew she wanted to specialize in blonding, lived-in colors, and hand-tied extensions! Four years later, that’s exactly what she loves getting to do every day. When Lindsey is not in the salon, she enjoys spending time with her friends on the lake, traveling, playing sand volleyball, cute coffee shops with a good book, and hiking adventures with her dogs Rizzo and Koda!
Check out her work here!
Kara McElmurry
Stylist
For Kara, doing hair isn’t just a job, it’s a passion. What began as styling her own hair for gymnastics meets quickly turned into a love for making others feel beautiful. From school dances to bridal mornings and everything in between. She first pursued college with plans to be a special education teacher, but her heart kept pulling her toward the salon. With a little nudge from her family (and a big leap of faith), she finally followed her passion and has never looked back.
Now, Kara Brings that same care and creativity to every client she meets. Whether you’re after lived-in color, soft or bold blondes, or a style that just feels right, her goal is always the same; to help you feel seen, celebrated, and confidently you.
When she’s not behind the chair, you’ll find her with her yellow lab Hobbes, going for sunset drives, shopping, or curled up with a good book.
Check out her work here!
Olivia Schmitz
Stylist
Olivia always dreamed of becoming a hairstylist as a kid. Later in life, her plans changed and she graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in special education. It was a few years into her career when her passion for the beauty industry eventually led her back to her original dream.Today, Olivia specializes in blonding, from bright blondes to dimensional shades, and is especially focused on growing her extension business. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, hitting the gym, reading, and being outdoors, especially by the lake. Olivia loves connecting with her clients and helping them feel beautiful, both inside and out.
Check out her work here!
Liv Marks
stylist
Liv graduated from Atelier Academy of Beauty in Hopkins in May of 2025. After assisting Erin for four months, her books are now fully open. She specializes in bright blondes, glossy all over colors, and soft, low-maintenance looks. She is also offering hand-tied hair extensions to help her clients achieve the dream hair they’ve always wanted. Liv’s favorite part of doing hair is helping clients feel like the best version of themselves- confident and excited about their hair. Liv aims to make every appointment feel fun, comfortable and uplifting for everyone who sits in her chair.
Outside of the salon, Liv loves coffee runs, country concerts, cabin weekends, and anything wellness related.
Check out her work here!
Molly Achterkirch
stylist
Molly graduated from Aveda Arts Institute in October 2025 and is continuing her education by assisting Erin. She is also taking new clients on Mondays and Saturdays. Some of her favorite things to do behind the chair are lived in blondes, bright blondes and more neutral hair colors and styles.
Outside of the salon, Molly enjoys going for walks, hanging with family and friends, and online shopping.
Check out her work here!
Sophie Paul
Stylist
Sophie graduated from Nova Academy in 2023 and has been doing hair since. She specializes in lived-in color; whether it’s blonde or brunette, creating effortless looks that grow out beautifully. She also loves doing low-maintenance layered haircuts that are easy to style and wear every day.
Outside of the salon, Sophie enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing with her animals, or searching for a new coffee spot to try.
Check out her work here!
Chelsea Skolstaad
Stylist
Chelsea's eye for color didn't start in a salon — it started in the fashion industry, where color is everything. But she wanted to do more than dress people up; she wanted them to walk away feeling beautiful in their own skin. Hair, she realized, was how she'd do it.
After training at Paul Mitchell Denver in 2020, she's built a reputation as a go-to specialist in low-maintenance color and extensions of every kind. Certified in four different extension methods, Chelsea can add volume to fine hair, length to hair that refuses to grow, or both — and she'll match the technique to you, not the other way around. Her low-maintenance color philosophy means you get the look you love without living in the salon chair.
When she's not behind the chair, Chelsea's at home deep in a puzzle, snuggling her daughter Piper, or curled up for movie night with her husband Justin and their three rescue pups.
Check out her work here!
Aubriella Fitzsimmons
Stylist
Aubriella has always been drawn to the beauty industry and the confidence that comes from feeling your best. After falling in love with the salon experience herself, she knew she wanted to create that same feeling for every guest who sits in her chair.
She specializes in lived-in color and extensions, with a passion for creating effortlessly beautiful, customized looks that fit each client's lifestyle. Whether you're looking for a subtle refresh or a complete transformation, Aubriella is dedicated to making sure you leave feeling confident, beautiful, and excited about your hair.
Outside of the salon, she enjoys staying active at the gym, spending time outdoors, fishing, hunting, and being at the barn. She also loves making memories with friends and spending time with her family.
Check out her work here!
Sylvia Rasmusson
Receptionist
Sylvia is our amazing receptionist who also gets to nanny Erin’s sweet girls while she’s home for the summer! She just completed her freshman year at the University of Minnesota where she’s attending the Carlson School of Business.
Her friendly face will be the first person you see when you arrive to the salon, and she’s happy to help you with any scheduling or product needs, as well as grabbing your refreshments!