Our Team
Natalie Ruzgis
Co-founder
Innate natural ability married with 15+ years of experience propelled Natalie Ruzgis to become one of Chicago’s most in-demand stylists for dimensional blonding, high-contrast brunettes, bridal styling, hair extensions, grooming and everything in between.
Using her wide skill set and depth of expertise as a master stylist, colorist, hair cutter and extensionist, Natalie’s end goal is to enhance her guests’ natural beauty and help them achieve their hair goals.
Natalie is exposed to a global beauty perspective serving as a brand ambassador and educator for leading extension brand Hotheads. Throughout her travels, she gets a first look at emerging trends, techniques, services and products that she brings back to the Thrive community of stylists and guests.
Taylor Kane
Co-founder
Taylor Kane is one of Chicago’s premier haircutters. Specializing in scissor work and dry cutting, he has a diverse set of skills perfect for all hair lengths, types and textures. Taylor has earned a reputation as an expert in working with thick, dense hair, using gentle techniques to evenly distribute weight and help hair become more manageable.
Taylor is also a certified Hairskeen hair-replacement specialist, allowing guests to experience quality hair-loss solutions that are seamless, comfortable and natural-looking.
Megan Vega
Co-Founder
Color and chemical specialist Megan Vega loves subtle, natural-looking, sun-kissed effects just as much as she enjoys creating a dramatic highlight with a full head of foils. Her philosophy is beautiful hair starts with healthy hair, and works closely with her guests to reach their hair goals without compromising the hair’s integrity.
From babylights and balayage, to helping clients embrace, blend or cover grays, Megan has mastered the full color wheel but has a soft spot for brunettes. As an expert working with dense, curly hair, she is skilled at texturizing and keratin treatments, as well as using color to amplify natural texture.
Lauren Lampa
Stylist
Lauren, best known as Elle to her clients, brings with her to Thrive nearly two decades of beauty experience—although her journey into the world of beauty was not without its twists and turns. Initially torn between becoming a hairstylist or a veterinarian, she ultimately chose the path of beauty, influenced by her family's legacy in the industry.
Embracing her artistic side from a young age and blessed with a gift of connecting with people effortlessly, she has honed her skills in all aspects of hairdressing, and has earned a reputation for her expertise in dimensional brunettes, “lived in” blondes as well as the art of styling. Which has taken her to New York on the set of the TODAY Show.
Angie Sapanaro
Stylist
Twenty-five years ago, Angie Sapanaro felt a pull to enroll in cosmetology school instead of following in her family’s culinary footsteps. Although she can’t quite place what made her go the hair route, she fell in love with a career in beauty and never looked back.
Fast-forward two+ decades and Angie has developed a master-level comfort with cutting, coloring, special-occasion styling and bridal work, as well as multi-method tape, strand-by-strand and weft extensions. She has attended advanced education from many of the industry’s major brands, has traveled the country attending beauty shows and has served as a national educator.
Lindsey Olson
Stylist
Consider Lindsey Olson your expert guide to dimensional color, fueled by an unwavering passion for textured hair.
When Lindsey was 16, she got her first job at an esteemed Redken salon, creating opportunities to attend prominent industry events and experiences that opened her eyes to the world of professional beauty.