Booked & Blooming - The Beauty Business Podcast

Hosted by Grant Kantsios

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Episodes

175

Latest episode

Jul 2026

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About the show

Real-world marketing, SEO, automation, and growth strategies for salon owners, spa owners, estheticians, lash artists, spray tan professionals, and beauty entrepreneurs who want to consistently book more clients, increase local visibility on Google and Apple Maps, and turn their business into a predictable, fully booked system—not a constant hustle for appointments.

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60 recent

August 19, 202656 min

Unlocking Business Growth: Ivy’s Top Five No-Cost Strategies for Salon Owners

Welcome back to the Booked & Blooming Beauty Business Podcast! In today’s episode, Grant reconnects with Ivy Potter from Innove Beauty and Wellness, a 20-year veteran of the tanning and beauty industry, educator, and business consultant. Drawing from her extensive experience as a salon owner, industry ambassador, and now a champion for fellow business owners, Ivy dives deep into the tried-and-true strategies that can ignite growth for any beauty business—without breaking the bank. Together, Grant and Ivy explore five actionable, low- or no-cost methods to better market your business, strengthen customer relationships, and expand your reach locally. Get ready to take notes as they reveal insider tips—from leveraging local brand ambassadors to maximizing your Google Business Profile—designed to help you stand out and thrive in your community.

July 1, 202647 min

Building a Franchise Empire: Onyi Shares Lessons From Glow Tanning’s Explosive National Growth

Welcome to this episode of the Booked & Blooming Beauty Business Podcast, where we dive deep into the journey of Onyi, the visionary behind Glo Tanning—one of the fastest-growing franchises in the wellness and beauty space. With over 16 years of experience, Onyi shares his unique path from nursing school to becoming a beauty industry leader, the lessons learned from selling and rebuilding his business, and the innovative strategies that led Glo to unprecedented growth and zero store closures. From the power of recurring revenue models and employee ownership programs to breakthrough branding and scaling secrets, Onyi’s story is packed with actionable insights for anyone in the beauty business—whether you’re just starting out, scaling up, or ready to revolutionize your approach. Tune in for inspiration, practical advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a thriving, resilient beauty brand.

June 3, 202656 min

Selling, Starting Over, and Scaling Up: Entrepreneur Insights From Lauren Abrams

Welcome back to the gohappybeauty podcast! In today’s episode, host Grant Kantsios sits down with Lauren Abrams, the founder of Spray Tans by Lauren, to explore her impressive journey through the spray tan industry. With nearly 15 years of experience, Lauren Abrams shares how she built her first business from scratch in Atlanta, sold it, pursued exciting opportunities in the film and bridal industries, and ultimately launched a successful second venture. Tune in to hear Lauren Abrams discuss the evolution of spray tanning, the importance of patience and self-care in business growth, strategies for attracting clients in competitive markets, and her advice for those looking to turn a passion into a thriving brand. Whether you’re considering starting your own beauty business or looking for inspiration to take your existing business to the next level, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world wisdom.

May 13, 202640 min

Kickstart Your Business Success: The Power of Proper Bookkeeping and Financial Clarity

Welcome to another episode of the gohappybeauty podcast! Today, we’re talking all things numbers with Danielle Hayden founder of Kickstart Accounting, as she joins Grant in a candid conversation about the financial side of running a beauty business. From her journey as a creative-turned-CFO to launching a firm dedicated to serving small businesses, Danielle is on a mission to help entrepreneurs understand, manage, and leverage their finances with confidence. We cover everything from overcoming the fear of bookkeeping, the importance of knowing your numbers, setting aside tax reserves, and how proper financial management can be a game-changer for achieving your business goals. Whether you’re new to the world of business finances or looking to take your profit planning to the next level, this episode is packed with practical advice, tough love, and real-world examples aimed at helping you become a more empowered and educated business owner. Stay tuned—your financial health check starts now!

April 8, 202637 min

Overcoming Self Doubt and Building a Thriving Spray Tan Business

Welcome back to the gohappybeauty podcast! In today’s episode, we sit down with Shawna Schimnowski, a true veteran of the sunless tanning industry with over a decade of experience and more than 16,000 spray tans to her name. Starting her journey in a small town outside Winnipeg, Shawna dove headfirst into spray tanning—becoming one of the original franchisees of Organic Tan, which later became Sunna Tan. Her story is one of passion, resilience, and empowering women to feel confident in their own skin, even through personal health battles and the challenges of entrepreneurship. Together, we’ll explore Shawna’s unique path—from building her business with the support of a strong franchise network, to making the bold leap to independence, and navigating everything from movie sets and celebrity clients to the uncertain times brought on by the pandemic. Shawna also shares invaluable insights for aspiring business owners—including the power of relationships, the importance of community, and the realities of overcoming self-doubt. Whether you’re looking for inspiration to start your own sunless tanning business or want honest talk about what it takes to succeed in the beauty industry, this episode has something for you. Let’s dive in! You can follow gohappybeauty here: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gohappybeauty YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@gohappybeauty Website - www.gohappybeauty.com

March 11, 202651 min

Franchise Versus Startup: Exploring Beauty Business Paths with Bennett Maxwell

On this episode of the gohappybeauty podcast, host Grant Kantsios sits down with franchise expert Bennett Maxwell for an in-depth look into the world of franchising—specifically in the beauty and tanning industry. Bennett, known for scaling Dirty Dough cookies and now working with Glo Tanning™, brings a wealth of experience as he breaks down what it really takes to own and operate a successful franchise.

February 25, 20261 hr 15 min

Celebrating National Spray Tanning Day: Entrepreneurial Journeys and Industry Insights

Welcome to a special episode of the gohappybeauty Podcast! In honor of National Spray Tanning Day on March 6th, we’ve teamed up with Innove Beauty and Wellness—creators of iconic spray tan booths like Mystic and VersaSpa and the innovators behind Norvell handheld spray tanning equipment and Norvell University. Our mission in this episode is to shine a light on the sunless tanning industry and the countless entrepreneurial opportunities it offers.

February 12, 202643 min

Reimagining Beauty: Bethany Parker’s Journey from Spray Tans to Community-Centered Salon Owner

Welcome back to the gohappybeauty podcast! In this episode, Grant Kantsios sits down with Bethany Parker, a returning guest whose journey in the beauty and spray tanning industry has taken her through remarkable twists and turns. Since their first chat in 2019, Bethany Parker has reinvented herself and her business—relocating, taking time off to focus on family, and ultimately returning to her hometown to open The Society, a unique beauty salon and social club. In today’s conversation, Bethany Parker shares how she went from spray tanning in a spare bedroom to launching a full-scale salon, navigating everything from renovating a decades-old space to building an inclusive community of beauty professionals. She opens up about training others, selling her client list, surviving the pandemic, and the importance of intentional branding and client experience. Whether you’re a beauty industry veteran or thinking about making your first leap, you’ll find inspiration and practical advice on pursuing your business dreams, embracing change, and creating something truly special. Let’s dive in and catch up with Bethany Parker as she shares the lessons, challenges, and triumphs from her amazing journey back in the world of sunless tanning and beauty entrepreneurship.

January 28, 202649 min

Kara-Holden

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!

January 14, 202638 min

Connecting, Learning, and Growing at Slay the Spray Conference with Anna Hollowell

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.