Lauren Haik with The Market

Growing up in a retail environment, Lauren Haik always knew she wanted to own a store. Her father worked as a department store buyer before opening his own showroom as a manufacturer for houseware merchandise, immersing her in the retail world from a young age. Eighteen years ago, Haik purchased The Market (2628 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, MO, 417-889-1145) from its previous owner and has since transformed it into a go-to destination for gifts, home décor and apparel. “The one thing that motivates me is finding a line or product that I love that I know is good and know other people will love,” Haik says. “I’m constantly always looking for new products or new ideas that are coming out to the market. It’s always that desire to find the next big thing.”