Rowan

This Feature Friday, we’re excited to spotlight Samantha Alvarado, RN, our Director of Nurse Training and Education! Samantha began her journey with Rowan in 2019, back when we were still offering at-home ear piercing services in the New York Metropolitan area. Today, she leads our nationwide team of nurses as a member of our Nurse Leadership Team, traveling to new studio locations to ensure every Rowan nurse upholds the highest standards of safety, care, and professionalism, as outlined by the Rowan Clinical Piercing Standard®. We asked Sam what she loves most about working at Rowan - here’s what she had to say! -- What's your favorite part about working for Rowan? I truly enjoy the daily interactions with my colleagues. I love working alongside other nurses and also genuinely appreciate learning from my non-nursing peers about the retail and overall business aspects of Rowan. Of course, the joy we bring to our customers' faces is always incredibly rewarding! You've been with us for 6 years, how has Rowan helped you grow? What started as a small side gig six years ago has evolved into a career I'm incredibly proud of. Being part of a company that prioritizes safety, celebrates success, and recognizes passion and determination has been a dream come true. What's your favorite memory with Rowan? I have so many amazing memories with Rowan, but my absolute favorites are the moments when I help a nervous child overcome their fear and see their ears with earrings for the first time. Their instant joy is beyond gratifying. What is your favorite placement to pierce? My favorite piercing is the conch. It can be a showstopper with larger jewelry if desired, or it can be a minimalistic piercing with a touch of flair when paired with smaller jewelry. Whether it's a stud or a hoop, it always looks fantastic!

This Feature Friday, we’re excited to spotlight Cait Coffey, AIA, our Director of Studio Design! Cait never imagined she’d be designing ear piercing studios—but since 2021, she’s been leading our studio design team and shaping the Rowan experience. From reviewing health codes and understanding each community, to designing for both nurse workflow and customer comfort, Cait and her team ensure every studio is as safe as it is celebratory. We asked Cait what she loves most about working at Rowan—here’s what she had to say! — What’s your favorite part about designing our Rowan studios? I love the challenge of fitting everything into the space. Our fixtures are pretty consistent across all studios, so my favorite part is getting the layout and health codes, then figuring out how to make everything work. Every studio is a new puzzle to solve, which I love! How has Rowan helped you grow? How hasn’t Rowan helped me grow?! More than anything, Rowan has taught me the value of a strong team. I built my team from the ground up - something I’d never done before - and that experience has really shaped how I think about leadership and collaboration. I couldn’t do this without them. What’s your favorite memory with Rowan? It’s hard to pick just one, but seeing our studios open this year has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve been with Rowan since we opened studio #3, and now with nearly 100 studios open nationwide, it feels like we’ve really found our stride - from fixtures to lighting to layouts. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come, and I’m so proud to have been part of that journey. What are your favorite Rowan earrings? Definitely the Endless Hoops - I’m wearing 6 of them right now!

Rowan’s newest Maryland location is officially open at Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg! We couldn’t think of a more fitting place to open than Maryland’s very own crown jewel. Downtown Crown is the perfect setting for a little extra sparkle. We’re so excited to bring safe, celebratory ear piercing by licensed nurses to the community. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Mid-Atlantic team – Jennifer Tokuda & Raven Jackson – and to the Kite Realty Group team for the warm welcome. Downtown Crown, let’s make this jewel shine! Book your appointment at Rowan Downtown Crown: https://lnkd.in/egFXEaNc

Thank you, Fast Company and Elizabeth Segran, Ph.D., for the thoughtful feature on our growth and approach to expanding access to safe ear piercings. We're excited to continue growing intentionally, bringing our studios and piercing experiences to more locations across the country. We're honored to be featured!

Today, in honor of International Day of the Girl, Rowan is proud to announce a year-long partnership with international nonprofit organization Girls on the Run International to celebrate confidence, milestones, and self-expression. Whether crossing a 5K finish line or getting their ear pierced for the first (or third) time, these moments mark important milestones filled with joy, growth, and celebration. This fall, you’ll find Rowan supporting Girls on the Run events and activating in our studios throughout the school year. We look forward to a continued partnership in 2026 to reach even more communities nationwide. Follow @heyrowan and @girlsontheruninternational on Instagram to stay updated on this exciting partnership!

Rowan opens tomorrow at Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie, Louisiana! We’re excited to open our second studio in the greater NOLA area! Now there’s another convenient spot to get your piercing done safely by our licensed nurses. Thank you, Lakeside Shopping Center, for your partnership, and thank you to Jon Litz & Hyun Chong who have been hard at work with two new studio openings this weekend.   Secure your appointment at Rowan Lakeside Shopping Center: https://lnkd.in/gR6J4XjB

Rowan’s FIRST Mississippi location opens tomorrow at Jackson Highland Village! Jackson is the birthplace of Southern soul - a city with a deep musical legacy, rich culture, and a community known for warmth and resilience. We’re honored to bring ear piercing by nurses to the community - let’s celebrate together! A heartfelt thank you to the team at our Southeast team - Jon Litz & Hyun Chong - and to WS Development for the warm welcome to Mississippi! Jackson Highland Village, we can’t wait to see you shine! Book your appointment at Rowan Jackson Highland Village: https://lnkd.in/enc_NnWb

This Feature Friday, we're happy to spotlight our Mountain States District Manager Shawn Schmalken! Shawn began his career with Rowan as a Studio Manager in 2023 and was promoted to District Manager in 2024. Over a year into his duties as DM, we asked Shawn what he loves most about working at Rowan! -- What's your favorite part about working for Rowan? I truly value the human connection - it’s what fuels me every day. Whether it’s connecting with managers, nurses, or customers, those meaningful interactions are what make this work so special. I love the spirit of celebration in our studios, there’s always something joyful happening, from birthdays and weddings to first-time piercings. And nothing beats dancing and singing with the little ones who are big Taylor Swift fans - it’s moments like these that make every day unforgettable. How has Rowan helped you to grow? Being part of a growing company means we’re always evolving - and that’s something I’ve come to genuinely value. What once felt uncomfortable has become a powerful source of growth. Rowan challenges me in the best ways, inspiring continuous growth both personally and as a leader. What's your favorite memory from a studio? When I was a Studio Manager, a customer visited our Village Pointe studio in Omaha to celebrate a deeply meaningful milestone - being cancer-free! It was an unforgettable experience. We spent nearly an hour talking about her journey and why choosing a first-time piercing felt like the perfect way to mark her victory. Moments like these are incredibly special, and I’ll always treasure the connections I build with our customers. What are your favorite Rowan earrings? The Curved Diamond Bar & CZ Endless Hoop

Excited to share this latest feature in Modern Retail, spotlighting our continued growth and our commitment to transforming the ear piercing experience. Thank you to Melissa Daniels for capturing our story so thoughtfully. ✨

Rowan is now open at Stuyvesant Plaza! ✨ Albany is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. - home to cobblestone streets, centuries-old architecture, and a legacy of firsts. In a city where history runs deep, we’re honored to be part of the next chapter, marking modern milestones with intention and care. Our Northeast Team - Jennifer Tokuda and Emily Backus Stansfield - are so excited to welcome you into our first studio in the Capital region. And thank you to the team at WS Development for your partnership. Secure your appointment at Rowan Stuyvesant Plaza! https://lnkd.in/gFqcgXqs