The Story Behind Coastal Glo & Co

By Tara Gowen

Every person has a "why". For me, it's about the people in my chair, and the stylists who take care of them. Coastal Glo & Co. was born from both inspiration and frustration. After more than a decade in this industry, I saw firsthand how toxic salon environments could be -- where stylists weren't treated with respect and clients were often seen as dollar signs than people. It didn't sit right with me.

I believe this industry should be built on integrity: stylists deserve to be supported, encouraged, and valued, and clients deserve honesty and care -- not just spoon fed the services that generate the most revenue for the salon. I knew I wanted something more for this industry I feel so passionately about. I knew if I wanted to see that change... I needed to BE that change -- to be a space that stood apart, one where both the team and the guests could feel the difference. That's where the idea for Coastal Glo & Co. truly began.

Why Coastal Glo?

The coast has always been my happy place -- calming, grounding, and endlessly inspiring. That's why I chose "Coastal Glo" as the heart of my brand. I wanted every detail of the salon to reflect the same feeling: the warm coastal tones, the accents, even the light scent in the air.

It's not just branding -- it's an atmosphere. When you walk in, I want you to exhale, let go, and know you are about to be cared for.

Building From the Ground Up

Starting a salon is equal parts exciting and overwhelming. There were late nights crunching numbers, mornings spent choosing wallpaper samples, and so many decisions about flooring, lighting, software, and pay structures. --Let's just say there were so many topics to research, and that wasn't something I took lightly. -- I'll be honest, it hasn't been easy. There were moments of doubt, but every step reminded me why I was doing this.

Behind the polish you see today, there's been a whole lot of hustle, heart, and faith in God. When I see my clients walk out the door glowing -- inside and out -- that makes every sacrifice worth it.

More Than a Business

Coastal Glo & Co. is not just a salon to me. It's a community. It's a place where clients are welcomed like friends, and stylists are treated like artists they are and empowered to thrive. My mission has always been to create a culture where beauty, trust, and confidence live side by side.

THIS is my 'why'... THIS is my HEART.

Closing Thought

As we begin this Behind the Glo series, I want to share more of what goes into building this dream -- not just the pretty end results, but the journey, the lessons, and the love behind it all.

Next week: How We Built Our Brand Vibe (and why it matters to your experience in the chair).