Confidence Is Built in the Spaces Where Women Feel Safe
Lauren Jackson, Mrs. Texas International, understands confidence as something earned quietly. It is built in moments that do not make headlines. Her journey into pageantry did not begin with ambition for a crown, but with a decision to grow as a woman, business owner, and leader. Encouraged by a close friend, she stepped into the Mrs. Texas International pageant at 43, carrying both excitement and doubt.
She questioned her worth before she ever stepped on stage. Imposter syndrome followed her through preparation, whispering that she had missed her chance. What surprised her most was not the competition, but the culture. She encountered women intentionally working on themselves and lifting one another up. The experience reframed her understanding of leadership and belonging. Growth, she learned, does not have an expiration date.
Leadership Rooted in Experience
Jackson’s leadership is inseparable from her lived experience with alopecia. Losing her hair broke her sense of identity and forced her to confront what confidence truly meant. That loss became the foundation of her work. She opened Renata Salons to serve women experiencing hair loss, offering more than cosmetic solutions. She created a space where grief, fear, and vulnerability are acknowledged, not rushed.
Her salon operates as a daily extension of her platform. Women arrive carrying stories that mirror her own. Jackson listens first. She reminds them that beauty is not defined by appearance, but by who they are and how they treat others. This message is not theoretical. It is practiced daily, chair by chair.
Her credibility extends beyond her business. As a longtime member of the American Hair Loss Council, Jackson speaks to professionals about serving hair loss clients with empathy and education. Her advocacy bridges industry knowledge with human experience.
Using Visibility with Intention
Visibility did not change Jackson’s mission. It amplified it. Through pageantry, she discovered a love for public speaking and began sharing her story at women’s events. She speaks often to mothers who feel they have lost themselves in their roles, offering permission to prioritize rest, health, and personal growth.
Her collaborations reflect alignment, not exposure. Partnering with Wigs for Kids allows her to support children receiving free wigs so they can return to school with confidence. Being recognized as a “Woman Who Shines” by House of Shine affirmed her commitment to leadership development at the community level.
Jackson does not separate her title from her life. “My platform isn’t something I turn on for the stage,” she has said. “It’s how I live my life, how I serve others, and how I show up with purpose every day.”
Redefining Balance and Success
As a wife, mother, and business owner, Jackson approaches balance as an ongoing practice. She sets boundaries, schedules rest, and prioritizes health and fitness. She speaks openly about saying no when something does not align. This clarity allows her to show up fully in the roles that matter most.
Pageantry offered her a rare opportunity to focus on herself. Through that process, she rediscovered confidence and parts of herself she had set aside. The doors that opened surprised her. Writing Sterling’s Crown, increased community involvement, speaking alongside inspiring women, and riding in the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Grand Entry fulfilled dreams she once thought were out of reach.
Looking ahead, Jackson plans to compete again at the International level in 2026 and continue expanding her platform. Her work is not about maintaining momentum. It is about consistency.
Confidence, in Jackson’s world, is not loud. It is steady. “The most beautiful version of you is the one that is genuine and true,” she has said.
Lauren Jackson, Mrs. Texas International