Laura Watkins is the owner of Pure Salon Spa, an Aveda salon and spa recognized among the Top 200 salons in North America. She also serves as a Purefessor with Aveda Business College, where she shares her expertise in business development and leadership with salon owners across the country. She has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and an MBA from the University of Louisville, as well as a cosmetology license. After battling treatment-resistant major depressive disorder that nearly claimed her life, Laura has become a passionate advocate for mental health awareness. She is the author of Something Feels Off, a raw and inspiring story about her struggle with mental illness and how she overcame it. Laura serves on the board of directors for Mental Health Lou, a nonprofit promoting mental wellness. Through this work and her personal story, Laura is helping to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and create safer spaces for honest dialogue and support.