In the ever-evolving world of beauty, staying current isn’t optional — it’s essential. Whether you’re a salon owner, esthetician, or sunless tanning specialist, continued education and industry events are what keep you relevant, inspired, and connected.
Recently, I attended the VAGARO Iconic .25 Industry Event, and it reminded me just how important it is to step outside your immediate niche. My business may live in the world of sunless tanning, but this event wasn’t just about bronzing or beauty — it was about technology, innovation, and the future of our industry as a whole.
Learning Beyond Your Lane
Too often, beauty professionals limit themselves to their niche — lash artists attend lash events, spray tanners attend spray tan expos, and hairstylists stick to hair shows. But growth happens when you step beyond your lane. At VAGARO Iconic, I wasn’t surrounded only by sunless experts — I was surrounded by spa owners, med-spa directors, salon educators, and software developers.
Seeing how other sectors within beauty operate sparked ideas I can directly apply to GloGirl and GloPro. From smarter booking systems to membership models and client-retention strategies, the takeaways were endless. It’s proof that sometimes, the best ideas for your niche are found outside of it.
Technology Is Changing the Beauty Industry
We can’t ignore it — AI and automation are transforming the beauty business. While beauty will always be a hands-on, in-person experience, technology is now what helps beauty businesses launch, grow, and scale. Platforms like VAGARO make that possible by integrating booking, marketing, analytics, and education all in one place.
For me, technology isn’t a threat to the artistry of beauty — it’s a tool for sustainability and scalability. It’s what allows me to run GloGirl efficiently and expand GloPro Spray Tan Certification & Business Development to students all over the country.
Networking: The Hidden Power of Industry Events
One of the most valuable parts of attending events like VAGARO Iconic is the networking. The conversations that happen over coffee, in workshops, or between sessions often lead to collaborations, new clients, or fresh inspiration.
Networking gets you out of your comfort zone — out of your city, your salon, your circle of influence — and onto a national or even international stage. Those connections can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
The GloPro Advantage: Online Convenience Meets In-Person Connection
Our GloPro Program was intentionally built as an online platform to offer flexibility and access to those who might not be in our Houston area. The convenience allows students to earn certification from anywhere, while still receiving business mentorship and real-world strategies for success.
But as the beauty industry continues to evolve, so do we. That’s why GloPro is actively expanding to include in-person training options — because we believe in the value of both digital and face-to-face education. You can’t replicate the energy of being in a room full of beauty professionals who are chasing the same goals you are.
Final Thoughts
The beauty industry is advancing faster than ever — and so should we. Whether it’s attending an AI-driven tech conference, a hands-on certification course, or an industry networking event, continued education is how we stay ahead, stay inspired, and stay connected.
As beauty professionals, we owe it to ourselves and our clients to never stop learning — because when we grow, our businesses (and our GLO) grow with us.
