Lauren Kunz Chateauneuf – A Career Rooted in Community and Growth

On a frosty morning in Webster, New York, families wander through rows of evergreens at Kunz’s Christmas Tree Farm. The air smells of pine, the barn glows red against the cold, and the gift shop is filled with ornaments and handmade décor. For many, this place is a holiday tradition. For Lauren Kunz Chateauneuf, it is the foundation of a career built on ideas that turned into lasting ventures.

“I grew up here,” she says. “The tree farm is part of who I am. Every season I see families return, and it reminds me why we do this. It’s not just trees – it’s memories.”

Early entrepreneurial drive

Lauren’s path began with curiosity and ambition. At just 23, she opened Tessellations Gift Boutique, her first independent venture. Managing the boutique taught her the realities of business: long hours, creative problem-solving, and customer connection. “Opening my first shop at that age was a challenge,” she recalls. “But it showed me I could take an idea and make it real.”

Her early ventures gave her the skills to balance retail operations, marketing, and community engagement. They also laid the groundwork for future projects that spanned multiple industries.

Expanding into real estate

By 2006, Lauren shifted her focus toward real estate. She joined Hunt Real Estate ERA and later Nothnagle Realtors, building a reputation for knowledge of residential and commercial properties. She specialized in new construction, land, and investment properties, eventually earning multiple sales awards.

Her success came from her ability to connect with people during pivotal life decisions. “I’ve always believed in helping families find their place,” Lauren explains. “Sometimes that means handing over the keys to a new home. Other times it’s guiding them through a tough sale. Either way, trust is at the center.”

Her clients often referred friends and family to her, crediting her with making the buying and selling process “pleasurable and easy.” That reputation helped her thrive even in competitive markets across Monroe, Wayne, and Ontario Counties.

Building new ventures

Lauren didn’t stop with retail and real estate. In 2009, she co-founded H&S Septic Services, a company she and her family operated until 2017. She also became a Certified NYS OTN Residential Wastewater Inspector, a role that expanded her expertise into environmental services.

“Every business I’ve started has come from seeing a need,” she says. “Sometimes it was creative, like the gift shop. Other times it was practical, like septic services. But the goal was always the same: build something that lasts.”

Her ability to spot opportunities and bring them to life reflects her larger career theme – resilience through diversification.

Leading in animal rescue

While business kept her busy, Lauren also poured energy into animal rescue. In 2010 she joined Habitat for Cats NY, serving first as vice president and later as president. For more than 15 years, she has led efforts to rescue and support thousands of cats across upstate New York.

“Rescuing animals has always been in my blood,” she says. “They don’t have a voice, so I’ve always felt responsible to be that voice.”

Her leadership expanded Habitat for Cats’ reach, growing programs that provide not just rescue but also education and support for local families. It became a cause that blended her compassion with her organizational skills.

Tradition meets innovation at the farm

Back at the Christmas tree farm, Lauren has modernized while keeping tradition alive. She added the gift shop in the family’s big red barn, offering ornaments, décor, and community-driven initiatives like coat drives.

One year, a young girl arrived with a bag of coats collected from her neighbors. In return, she received an ornament. “She was so proud,” Lauren remembers. “That moment showed me how one small act can ripple through a community.”

The farm remains central to her life. Each season, she balances the growing demands of real estate and volunteer work with the steady rhythm of the holiday rush. Families cut trees, sip cocoa, and make memories, while her team continues to adapt to changing times.

Lessons from a life of building

Looking back, Lauren sees her career as a pattern of big ideas grounded in persistence. She built businesses across retail, real estate, and services. She took leadership roles in nonprofits. And through it all, she kept her family and community at the center.

“The hardest lesson has been realizing you can’t do it all yourself,” she says. “I used to think I had to handle everything. But real growth happens when you bring others in and build together.”

Continuing the journey

Today, Lauren remains active in real estate, runs the tree farm and gift shop, leads Habitat for Cats, and mentors other small business owners. She also raises her two daughters, who she calls her greatest motivation.

“Everything I do comes back to family,” she reflects. “Whether it’s my own or the larger community, that’s what gives me purpose.”

From cutting trees to closing homes, from rescuing cats to running shops, Lauren Kunz Chateauneuf has shown how resilience and creativity can turn ideas into impact. Her story is proof that success isn’t about one venture, but about building a life rooted in both tradition and innovation.