Bid farewell to the days of ear piercings “gone bad” thanks to the visionary entrepreneur Louisa Schneider, Founder and CEO of Rowan. Inspired by her daughter and with a clear mission to “offer safe and celebratory piercings for all,” Schneider has been at the helm of Rowan’s meteoric rise since its beginning in 2018. On the heels of Rowan’s debut at Town Center at Boca Raton—their 66th location across the country—we sat down with Schneider for a one-on-one candid chat to learn more about what makes Rowan the go-to place for piercings.
Why was Boca Raton chosen as your newest location?
We’re excited to announce that our Town Center at Boca Raton Studio is our third location in Florida! With our existing studios in Coconut Grove in Miami and Butler Town Center in Gainesville, we’re thrilled to continue expanding and bringing our unique piercing experience to even more communities. We also love working with SIMON properties—this is our seventh studio with them! We value their continued partnership and look forward to more studio openings with them this year.
On a more personal note, our Vice President of Expansion and Operations, Dani Axelrod, grew up in the area and even started her career in retail at Town Center at Boca Raton. She recommended we open in Town Center at Boca Raton because it caters to a range of audiences—just like we do! Their fun for the young and the young-at-heart atmosphere is exactly what you’ll find at every Rowan location.
What’s the story behind your company’s name, Rowan?
We named the company ‘Rowan’ after Rowan County, where I grew up in North Carolina, as a nod to my roots and the place that shaped who I am today. The name also draws inspiration from the rowan berry, known for its rich symbolism of protection, strength, and renewal. The word ‘rowan’ itself carries meanings of resilience and growth, reflecting our commitment to helping our customers feel empowered and rejuvenated.
What makes the Rowan experience different?
I founded Rowan because I wanted a piercing experience that was as safe as it was celebratory for my daughter. At Rowan, all piercings are performed by licensed nurses using only hypoallergenic earrings—that’s the Rowan difference. We prioritize safety above all else, but we also believe in making the experience fun! Our vibrant studios are as joyful as they are hygienic, creating a welcoming space where everyone can feel comfortable.
You even have a nurse helpline! Why is it so important to have that medical care for any type of piercing?
It’s normal to have access to medical professionals before and after any procedure, and ear piercing is no exception! That’s why we created our nurse helpline (and our Piercing 101 blog!). We want to ensure that everyone has the information they need, both before and after their piercing. Backed by our expert medical board, offering direct access to our team of licensed nurses is just one of the many ways we’re committed to providing top-notch care and peace of mind.
The placement of the piercings is important from an aesthetics perspective. Is this something that your team helps with as part of the consultation process?
Something not everyone knows is that no two ears are the same! The placement of your piercing is crucial—not just for aesthetics, but for the unique anatomy of your ear. Our licensed nurses are experts in ear anatomy and can help ensure that both the placement and jewelry work perfectly with your desired look. That’s why we include consultations in every appointment, giving you the opportunity to work directly with our nurse to find the ideal placement, tailored just for you.
Getting piercings can be a bit nerve-racking, for both kids and adults. How do you put your customers at ease?
Ear piercing can definitely be nerve-racking, which is why licensed nurses are the perfect people for the job. With their extensive training in bedside manner, they’re uniquely equipped to help ease nerves and walk you through every step of the process.
Is each location different in terms of vibe or do you have a signature decor style that is consistent throughout your stores?
While each Rowan location has its own unique touch, they all share the same colorful, joyful, and modern vibe.
Where exactly at Town Center is Rowan located?
Our Town Center at Boca Raton studio is located a few doors down from Neiman Marcus in between Intimissimi and Britto.
In addition to being the go-to for piercings, customers can shop your extensive collection of hypoallergenic jewelry. What inspires your collections?
It’s all about our customers! Our product and studio teams are always asking our customers for feedback on what they love and what they’d like to see more of. That’s how we developed our new Lobe Language collection, launched just last week. Featuring hoops, studs, and dangle earrings, every piece was inspired by customer feedback!
What’s your most popular piercing? Any trends we should look out for in 2025?
Bold is back in a big way! We’re loving the flat piercing and double helix piercing for 2025. Our most popular piercing, though, is a classic lobe piercing, for both kids and adults.
Experience Rowan when it debuts at Town Center at Boca Raton very (very) soon. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. You can book an appointment here. For more information, visit heyrowan.com.
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