Booked & Blooming - The Beauty Business Podcast

In today’s episode, host Grant Kantsios sits down with Kara Holden, the inspiring founder of Aglow Airbrush Tanning. Kara shares her journey from humble beginnings in a tiny New Hampshire town to building a thriving business with multiple locations, a franchise model, and her very own sunless tanning product line.

You’ll hear about the challenges she faced — from a skin cancer scare that motivated her career switch, to growing through sweat, tears, and family support, and the emotional setbacks that shaped her entrepreneurial outlook. Kara opens up about navigating personal loss, the pandemic, and the importance of living with intention while building a brand rooted in community and empowerment.

Whether you’re a tanning business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone curious about how authentic relationships can fuel lasting growth, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and heartfelt moments. Get ready to dive deep into Kara’s story, her commitment to clean products, and her passion for helping other sunless entrepreneurs succeed!

Welcome to this episode of the GHB podcast! Today, host Grant Kantsios sits down with Anna Hollowell from Slay the Spray for a deep dive into one of the tanning industry’s most anticipated events—the Slay the Spray conference in beautiful Del Mar, California. Whether you’re a seasoned spray tan artist, a solo entrepreneur, or just starting out, this conversation is packed with everything you need to know about what the conference offers, the unique opportunities for networking and professional growth, and how the event is designed to fuel both your business and your passion.

Welcome to another episode of the GHB podcast! On today’s show, we’re joined by two powerhouse spray tan entrepreneurs—Keri Elliott of Bronze Me Baby and Ashlee Bivins from Sprayd Airbrush Tanning—who are teaming up for an exciting new adventure: The Sleepover Tour. This episode dives into how Keri and Ashlee are bringing a fresh, intimate, and highly interactive approach to industry education, combining in-depth spray tan technique, business strategy, branding, color theory, retail, and more in small-group, retreat-style events in some of the country’s most vibrant cities. Listen in to hear the new locations released!

In this inspiring episode of the gohappybeauty podcast, host Grant Kantsios sits down with Ashlee, the powerhouse behind Sprayd Airbrush Tanning in Tulsa, OK. Ashlee shares her remarkable journey from working as a wedding makeup artist to building a thriving spray tan business that's changing the industry standard for personalized, high-quality service. Dive in as she recounts pivotal moments—both challenges and triumphs—including a leap of faith in expanding her business, the creation of Sprayd’s unique, pink-filled studio space (complete with their flamingo mascot, Pearl), and her mission to empower everyday women to feel like models. Ashlee also opens up about balancing business growth, letting go of control, and her passion for retail education, teasing a new course for spray tan artists looking to master the art of selling. Whether you’re in the beauty business or just love a good entrepreneurial story, this episode delivers heartfelt advice, actionable tips, and a reminder to trust the journey—even when you can’t see the next step.

Today, we’re sitting down with Janessa Laureano, a true wellness entrepreneur who’s taken the leap to build not just one, but two brick-and-mortar businesses—a boutique fitness studio and Lolo Tan, her thriving spray tanning business in Toronto. Janessa shares her incredible journey, from chasing childhood dreams of owning a gym to juggling late nights bartending as she launched her entrepreneurial ventures.

On this episode of the gohappybeauty podcast, host Grant Kantsios welcomes Alex Hively, founder of the Hive Body Spa and Wellness in St. Louis. Alex takes us on a candid journey from her early days as a Chick-fil-A cashier and teenage tanning salon enthusiast, all the way to building one of St. Louis’s go-to destinations for luxury spray tans and body sculpting. Through plenty of honest reflection, Alex shares how her passion for the beauty industry—and a push from her boyfriend—helped her take the leap into entrepreneurship, even when she wasn’t sure what would come next.

You’ll hear how Alex used social media, aesthetic branding, and exceptional client experiences to stand out in a crowded market, transforming her business from solo side-hustle to a thriving brand with a dedicated team. Discover how she navigates the challenges of leadership, the lessons she’s carried from her first jobs, and why she believes in learning as you go and believing in yourself even when anxiety and sleepless nights hit.

Whether you’re an aspiring business owner, a sunless artist looking to grow, or simply a fan of inspiring journeys, this episode is packed with actionable advice and hard-won wisdom. So sit back, get ready to be inspired, and enjoy the story of how Alex brought her vision for the Hive to life!

Maximizing Beauty Business Profits Through Email Marketing With Jen Goff

Welcome to this episode of the happytans Podcast! Today, host Grant Kantsios sits down with Lindsey Bavin, the powerhouse behind Sunkissed Spray Tanning and Sunkissed Beauty Boutique in Massachusetts. Lindsey shares her incredible 15-year journey in the beauty industry, starting as a single mom spray-tanning clients in her basement and hustling her way to multiple thriving locations. She opens up about the challenges of pivoting her business during the pandemic, creating her own sunless tanning mousse, and the ongoing balancing act between growing her business and being there for her family.

Hey beauty bosses!

We’re back with another inspiring episode recap from the gohappybeauty Podcast—your go-to for stories that ignite your passion and elevate your business. This week, Grant sits down with Ashlei Hartman of Afterglow to uncover how she built her thriving tanning business from scratch after a big move to Madison, Wisconsin.

Welcome back to the happytans podcast! In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Candace Montgomery, the powerhouse behind Gotta Get a Tan Spray Tan Studio in Burleson, Texas. With more than 25 years in the sunless tanning business—and nearly three decades of entrepreneurial experience alongside her husband—Candace shares her remarkable journey from launching an HVAC company to pioneering one of the first sunless-only salons in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.