Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Gowen.
Hi Tara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My career in beauty began in a small town in Indiana at a chain salon. From the very beginning, what drew me to this industry was the opportunity to make people feel good about themselves. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit — even in beauty school I was dreaming up business concepts, one of them humorously named “Shear Madness.” At the time, I didn’t know exactly where my path would lead, but I kept my mind open and committed myself to learning from every person and experience along the way.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning to believe in myself. I often questioned whether I was “qualified enough” to open my own business or lead others. At the same time, I experienced work environments that were not always supportive or healthy. That became a turning point for me. I began asking deeper questions — not just about my own future, but about the future of the industry and the next generation of stylists. I realized that if I wanted to see change, I would have to be willing to help create it.
That realization is what ultimately led to the creation of Coastal Glo Salon & Spa. I reached a point where I could no longer be complacent. I knew there had to be a better way — a more positive, empowering environment for both professionals and guests. Building Coastal Glo has been the harder route, but also the most rewarding. We are creating the kind of space I always wished existed.
Coastal Glo is more than a salon. It is a full beauty and wellness experience focused on caring for the whole person — inside and out. We offer hair services with a strong emphasis on hair health, esthetics services such as facials and waxing, gel nail services, and wellness offerings including fitness, nutrition guidance, and assisted stretching. Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that when people feel supported, they can truly thrive. We aim to provide a luxury, high-end experience that is also welcoming and judgment-free — a true “come as you are” environment.
I am incredibly proud that this brand was built from the ground up. I didn’t purchase an established business — I dreamed it into existence and then worked to bring that vision to life with very limited resources, a tremendous amount of heart, and strong community support. We are also a woman- and veteran-owned business, and family is at the core of everything we do. My children are part of the journey, even helping out at the salon from time to time. Seeing that same entrepreneurial spirit grow in them is one of my greatest joys.
God is a major driving force in my life and leadership. I strive to make decisions with purpose and integrity, and to create an environment where every professional and every guest feels welcomed, valued, and inspired. My goal is that when someone walks into Coastal Glo, they are stepping into an experience tailored to them — a place where they can finally exhale, feel appreciated, and leave feeling lighter than when they arrived.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I truly believe that growth rarely happens in comfort. One of the hardest decisions I had to make was walking away from guaranteed pay and stability to build something completely new. That leap of faith required me to bet on myself in a way I never had before. Shortly after opening, we were also faced with having to relocate due to circumstances outside of our control. There was a moment where I genuinely considered closing the doors, but ultimately I chose to fight for the vision. Sometimes in life, all you can do is focus on the next right step — and often, that step is the hardest one.
There have been many sleepless nights filled with planning, problem-solving, and praying for guidance. Leadership itself brings challenges. Hiring with intention and maintaining high standards for our team is incredibly important to me, but that also means having to make difficult decisions when someone is not the right fit. Letting people go is one of the hardest parts of my role, because I only hire individuals when I see real potential in them.
Balancing business ownership with motherhood has also come with emotional challenges. There have been moments of deep mom guilt, including a time when I had to miss being physically present at my daughter’s state championship because I was handling a critical situation at the salon. What made that moment incredibly special, however, was the way my clients rallied around me. They watched the live stream with me while I worked, turning what could have been a heartbreaking day into one filled with support and connection. Experiences like that remind me why community is at the heart of everything we do.
Like many entrepreneurs, I have also faced resistance along the way. Not everyone wants to see you succeed, especially when you are trying to do things differently. But I’ve learned that when you stay grounded in your values, operate with integrity, and keep moving forward, obstacles eventually become stepping stones.
Another important lesson has been learning to set boundaries and charge appropriately for the value we provide. In an industry where overbooking and burnout can be common, I have made it a priority to protect both my clients’ experience and my team’s wellbeing. By creating clear standards and maintaining fair pricing, we are able to deliver high-quality services with intention and care.
If there is one lesson that stands out, it is this: growth requires discomfort. You cannot build something meaningful while trying to keep everyone comfortable. The struggles have shaped not only the business, but also the leader I am becoming.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Coastal Glo Salon & Spa was created to be more than a traditional salon — it was designed as a full beauty and wellness destination where guests can truly look better, feel better, and live better. Our philosophy is centered around caring for the whole person. While we are widely known for our high-quality hair services and transformative results, many people are pleasantly surprised to discover that we also offer esthetics services such as facials and waxing, as well as wellness offerings including assisted stretching, fitness guidance, and nutrition support.
The experience we strive to create is what I would describe as “laid-back luxury by the ocean.” We want guests to feel they are receiving a high-end service without any sense of pressure or intimidation. Coastal Glo is intentionally a “come as you are” environment — welcoming, judgment-free, and deeply focused on making each individual feel seen and valued.
One of the things that truly sets us apart is our team culture. We have built a drama-free, education-focused environment where professionals support and uplift one another. Our core values — integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do — guide every decision we make, from hiring to guest experience to service quality. We believe that when a team feels supported and inspired, that energy naturally translates into exceptional care for our guests.
Brand-wise, I am most proud that Coastal Glo was built from the ground up. It wasn’t acquired or handed down — it was envisioned, nurtured, and grown with limited resources but an abundance of heart and community support. That foundation has created a deeply loyal client base and a strong local connection that continues to fuel our growth.
Looking ahead, our vision is to become a true one-stop destination for beauty, wellness, and self-care — a place where guests can address not just how they look, but how they feel and function in their everyday lives. We want readers to know that Coastal Glo is not just about services; it’s about creating an experience where people can slow down, reset, and rediscover their confidence.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I would describe myself as resilient, observant, and quietly driven. I experienced challenges early in life that shaped my perspective and taught me independence at a young age. While those experiences were not always easy, they helped develop a strong work ethic, a deep sense of empathy, and a determination to create a different path for myself.
I was always someone who cared deeply about people and how they felt. I found joy in helping others feel more confident, whether that was through creativity, encouragement, or simply being someone they could rely on. I also had a natural entrepreneurial spirit — I was constantly dreaming about what I could build or become one day, even if I didn’t yet know exactly what that would look like.
Growing up in a small town, I often felt a desire to see more of the world and to create opportunities beyond what I saw around me. Those early experiences instilled in me both gratitude and ambition. They taught me that while we can’t always control where we start, we do have the power to shape where we go.
Looking back, I believe those formative years gave me the strength, compassion, and vision that now guide how I lead my business and support the people around me.
Pricing:
- Haircuts starting at $75
- Color services such as root touch-ups starting at $80
- Highlight services ranging approximately $165–$265
- Luxury facial treatments starting at $85
- Assisted stretch wellness sessions starting at $45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.coastalgloco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coastal.glo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19e6Rf4Nqt/?mibextid=wwXlfr
