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.

In this episode of the GHB podcast, Stacey shares how she transitioned from a licensed massage therapist to a spray tanning pioneer, starting as a single mom offering mobile tans, to eventually opening her own brick-and-mortar studio employing a dedicated team. We dive into her philosophies on creating unforgettable client experiences, the systems that keep her salon running smoothly, and the value of consistency and personalization in every customer interaction.

Welcome to episode 152 of the happytans podcast. Today, we have the pleasure of chatting with Christina Stoddard, the inspiring entrepreneur behind Beach Bum Spray Tans in Idaho. Christina juggles life as a single mother of four while running a flourishing sunless tanning business. In this episode, she shares her incredible journey from starting her business in a garage to establishing a successful brick-and-mortar location. Christina's story is one of determination and resilience, showing that with a go-getter attitude, anything is possible.

Starting with humble beginnings in the tanning industry, Janae has built an impressive brand and business in her small town, transforming it into a thriving community hub. Despite being in the industry for only a few years, Janae's clever strategies and dedication allowed her to take significant time off, like maternity leave, without worry, and she's even managed to enjoy vacations.

Welcome to episode 150 of the happytans podcast! In this milestone episode, we're thrilled to feature the dynamic co-founders of Nuda Sunless, Genevieve and Mahay, as they share their journey from unlikely beginnings in law and finance to creating a respected brand in the sunless tanning industry. Discover how they emphasize the importance of a strong storefront and online presence, staying current with industry trends, and maintaining close client relationships to stand out. With a focus on safe, inclusive tanning alternatives, their brand has grown steadily, reaching across Canada and the US with an impressive range of products. Learn how Nuda Sunless combines education and creative marketing to differentiate themselves and thrive in a rapidly expanding market. Tune in to hear insights on branding, business strategy, and the future of sunless tanning from the pioneers shaking up the industry.

In today's episode, we're thrilled to have Liz Wagner, a mobile tanning artist from Glow Inside Out in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Liz took her passion from a side hustle to a full-time venture, navigating the unique landscape of a military town and embracing the challenges of running a mobile business. Throughout the episode, Liz shares her inspiring journey, from handing out business cards at local gyms to establishing her business with a website after five and a half years. Listen in as she discusses the significance of stepping out of comfort zones, overcoming unique obstacles like the "Jason months," and leveraging the power of word-of-mouth and Google reviews.

Welcome to another episode of the happytans podcast! In this exciting episode, we sit down with the dynamic Leah Wafful, the entrepreneurial force behind Bronze 515 in Des Moines, Iowa. Leah shares her riveting journey from corporate executive assistant to full-time business owner, delving into the trials and triumphs of running a successful spray tanning business. We explore her strategies for managing long-term employees, adapting during slow seasons, and navigating business expansion with a second location in Ames. Leah offers valuable insights into diversifying revenue streams and the importance of personal development, drawing from her varied pursuits including a food truck and a unique dating service. Tune in as Leah emphasizes the significance of mentorship, self-belief, and community engagement, offering sage advice for budding entrepreneurs aiming to stand out in the booming spray tanning industry. Whether you're already in the business or considering a leap into entrepreneurship, Leah's story is sure to inspire and inform your journey.

In today’s episode of the happytans podcast, we have a great guest and a good friend of mine – Jennifer Lampton. Jennifer shares her remarkable transition from a stay-at-home mom to a leading tanning expert, despite challenges and unexpected turns along the way. Discover how her strong online presence and impressive collection of five-star reviews helped her navigate a major relocation, ultimately boosting her business during the pandemic and beyond.

In this interview, we have our first "roundtable" discussion where we bring in 3 amazing business owners who share their opinion on specific business matters. We dive deep into the essentials of growing and sustaining a successful tanning business. From leveraging Google reviews and social media to the strategic importance of client retention, our guests share their personal anecdotes and expert advice. You’ll hear compelling stories of relocation, the meticulous effort involved in opening second locations, and the indispensable value of authenticity in client relationships.

Emily is a repeat guest on the happytans podcast and joined us back in 2022.  A lot has changed since then as she has almost completely removed herself from being "in" her original salon and is now focused on opening a second location. Through a lot of hard work, an amazing team and some well-thought-out strategies, her team has been able to grow their business tremendously.

In this episode Jaclyn shares valuable insights into the growth of her business, including the impact of mentors, the importance of clarity in business goals, and strategic approaches to building a strong online and offline presence. From mobile tanning to owning a brick-and-mortar studio with employees, she reveals her secrets to business success. Join us as we explore the world of sunless tanning entrepreneurship and learn from Jaclyn's wealth of experience and expertise.

In today's episode of the happytans podcast, we share the importance of finding your ideal client and showcase what we did in our business to help us better serve our clients.

In today's episode, we have the pleasure of hearing from Chelsey Adams, owner of The Urban Cowgirl outside of Lynchburg, Virginia. Chelsey shares her inspiring journey from being a stay-at-home mom to successfully transitioning into owning her own sunless tanning business. She emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself in the industry and discusses the challenges and triumphs she's encountered along the way.

Amanda Moore specializes in systems and helping business owners streamline the processes within their business. After teaming up with Shonna Dexter, of Recreating Rays, she helped the business grow by building the necessary SOPs, or standard operating procedures, to grow the business. Now, they have over 20+ employees and 2 locations.

In today's episode, we'll explore the inspiring story of Erin Shelby, a dedicated mother of three who made a remarkable transition from a dissatisfying sales job to building a thriving mobile spray tan business in the Twin Cities metro area. From overcoming personal challenges and finding her ideal client to leveraging Instagram for explosive business growth, Erin's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, strategic planning, and unwavering determination. Join us as we unpack the key moments, insights, and strategies that propelled Erin's business, Blend, to extraordinary success, and learn how you can apply these lessons to your own sunless tanning venture.