Kaitlin Lawless is the Vice President of Birch Boys, an Adirondack-born wellness company specializing in sustainably harvested chaga and other functional mushrooms.
About Kaitlin Lawless
Beginnings in Saranac Lake
Raised in the heart of the Adirondacks, Kaitlin grew up in the restaurant business at her family’s Saranac Lake staple, The Downhill Grill—home to the best burger in town. Working there from the time she could reach the host stand, she developed an early understanding of hard work, customer service, and small business management. Kaitlin was also deeply influenced by her Mimi who helped raise her and instilled in her a lifelong curiosity about natural wellness through supplements, homeopathy and exploring.
Friendship, Foraging & Birch Boys
Kaitlin’s friendship with Garrett Kopp began when they met at 4-H Camp Overlook at age 11, a place that sparked their shared love for ecology, foraging, and the outdoors. Years later, while attending SUNY Potsdam for art, Kaitlin joined Garrett at Birch Boys during his cooperative year, taking on the role of brand manager and helping shape the company’s early identity.
Beyond the Adirondacks
Eager to experience life beyond her home region, Kaitlin eventually left the Adirondacks and moved to the Berkshires of Massachusetts. There, she spent over two years as an essential worker at an upscale pet store, quickly advancing through the ranks. She developed close relationships with customers and gained deep knowledge of retail, pet nutrition, and exotic animal care, as well as experience navigating brand partnerships and sales rep dynamics. Though she came to appreciate the beauty of the Berkshires, she found they could never quite compare to the wild spirit of the Adirondacks.
Returning Home & Rising Through the Ranks
After her time in retail, Kaitlin returned to Birch Boys remotely, where her deep understanding of the brand and its values helped drive its continued growth. Craving the nature and family she’d missed, she and her partner later purchased a geodesic dome in St. Lawrence County and moved home to the edge of the park. Back in the Adirondacks, Kaitlin rose to Vice President of Birch Boys, overseeing customer service, social media, marketing, retailer relations, and the company’s web presence.
A Life Rooted in Nature
Outside of Birch Boys, Kaitlin leads a life deeply intertwined with the outdoors. She owns Lawless Exotics, where she responsibly breeds Western Hognose snakes and cares for a variety of unique animals at her geodesic dome home. When she isn’t working, she can often be found foraging for mushrooms, swimming in the Adirondack waters, or exploring the forest trails that first shaped her love of nature. A painter and singer at heart, Kaitlin’s creativity and curiosity mirror the rhythms of the natural world she works to protect, continually learning, creating, and finding connection in the wild.
