My Journey

My Journey: From a Passion for Tanning to Building Olive Glow

 

Hi, I’m Beccy, the founder of Olive Glow, and I wanted to share a little bit about my journey – how a love for tanning, the desire to build a flexible career around my children, and a passion for skincare led to the creation of something I truly believe in.

 

The Beginning: A Seed of Passion

 

It all started with me loving to be brown. I was already tanning, and I just felt more confident with a golden glow. But, like many, I was stuck in a 9-5 job in finance that didn’t light me up. I wasn’t fulfilled, and I found myself dreaming about something more. I didn’t want to go back to that office life, especially after having my children. I wanted a career that allowed me to raise them and be present, without sacrificing my passion or the financial stability we needed.

 

The journey wasn’t easy. My kids were babies, and balancing building a business with motherhood was tough. But, when my youngest started nursery, I decided it was time to make the leap. It wasn’t just a hobby anymore – this was my career, something I’d been quietly building for the last couple of years.

 

The Challenges: Pushing Through the Soil

 

One of the biggest hurdles I faced was not having childcare in the evenings. If I didn’t have a babysitter, I had to work from home, which could be a challenge. But my clients were understanding, and many didn’t mind coming to me. It was difficult at the time, but I never let it hold me back.

 

Eventually, when both of my girls were in school full-time, things became easier. I had more time to focus on social media, building my presence online, and making sure I was still there for my children. It wasn’t easy, but it allowed me to balance work and family – and it helped me grow my business.

 

There were plenty of times I felt like giving up, more than I’d like to admit. But one piece of advice that kept me going was a quote about a seed turning into a beautiful flower. The seed has to push through the soil, no matter how tough it gets, because if it gives up, it will never bloom. That quote always reminded me that tough moments don’t last – but the growth on the other side is worth it.

 

The Birth of Olive Glow

 

The idea of Olive Glow had always been in the back of my mind since I started training in the spray tanning industry. I’d trained for another tanning company, but there was always a little part of me that wanted to have my own brand. It wasn’t until I had a conversation with a family member about my grandma, Olive, that I knew the name for my brand was born.

 

Olive was a beautiful soul, raised in a Christian home, full of love and kindness. Naming my brand Olive Glow felt like the perfect tribute to her, especially since her spirit is part of everything I do. It’s not just about having a great tan – it’s about love, care, and feeling good in your skin.

 

Spray tanning is a community unlike any other, and I’m proud to be part of it. I’ve made incredible friends through this industry, some of whom I’ve never even met in person, but we chat almost daily. It’s a family, and I love how we support each other. It’s this community spirit that makes me proud to be in this business.

 

Balancing Business and Family

 

As my kids grew older, balancing business and family became easier. My girls are now 11 and 13, and they’re incredibly independent. That freedom gives me the ability to work around our family life – whether that’s going on holidays or just enjoying days out. Being a mum and running a business is no longer as difficult as it once was.

 

But through it all, my passion for helping others has remained. I’m always happy to offer advice or lend a hand to those in the industry, because kindness really does go a long way. I genuinely care about helping others grow their businesses – just like I did with mine.

 

Olive Glow Today and Tomorrow

 

Launching Olive Glow was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done, and trust me, I’ve climbed Ben Nevis and I’m petrified of heights! But with the support of my family, it felt a little less daunting. I’m determined to make my grandma, Olive, proud, even though she’s no longer with us. She’s always with me in spirit, and her kindness fuels everything I do.

 

Olive Glow isn’t just about tanning. It’s about skincare. It’s about providing products that care for your skin while giving you a gorgeous, glowing tan. Our products are vegan, cruelty-free, alcohol-free, and paraben-free, and they’re designed with the skin’s health in mind. I want everyone to feel good about their tan and their skin – and Olive Glow is here to help with that.

 

The Future of Olive Glow

 

Olive Glow is still in its early stages, but we’re growing! Our professional range of tanning products was launched in 2024, and our first product, the Olive Glow finishing powder, launched in 2019, just before the pandemic. It’s been a rollercoaster, but every moment has been worth it. I love setting goals and dreaming big, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes us.

 

I’m grateful for the support of my family, my clients, and the incredible community of spray tan artists who have supported Olive Glow from day one. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.