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50 October 2016 | beautystorebusiness.com CEO Spotlight MONICA BLANCO IS THE CEO OF GOLDEN RUNWAY, a sunless tanning company with airbrushing, self-tanning products and services for customers and beauty profes- sionals. Each tech who enrolls with Golden Runway takes a course that covers the entire spectrum of spray tanning. Once the hands-on training course is finished, the student is given a certification through the company and they can begin spray tanning immediately in their salon, house or mobile spa. In between professional spray tans, consumers can purchase one of Golden Runway's products to use to get the same results of a pricey service. Blanco is the go-to golden girl on the Hollywood tanning scene. She regularly works with celebrities, NFL cheerleaders, pageant queens and more. Her unique tanning solution, work ethic and business platform are the driving forces behind her successful brand. Beauty Store Business: How did you get started in the beauty industry? Monica Blanco: After years of baking my skin, my grandmother told me that "if I didn't stop hit- ting those tanning beds, I was going to look like my grandpa's cowboy boots." That vision never left me and forced me to think of an alternative to recreate my tanning addiction. How did you develop the idea for your company? I started a company called Colour Couture in 2007. I strictly offered spray tanning services. By 2012, I had established an exclusive clientele. Working with A-list actresses and actors pushed me to create a line of products that could be used while they were away on set. In 2016, I decided to take a larger leap of faith and rebranded myself and that's how Golden Runway was born. No investors, no partners. I like to think it's a seasoned version of Colour Couture. What is a career highlight of yours? I was featured on The CW's "Hatched" that aired in May. Even though I was turned down with an investment it taught me many lessons. One door closes and more swing open; I'm meant to be a solo band. What has been your biggest challenge as a CEO? One of my biggest challenges being a CEO would be balance—for years I couldn't balance my family, career and personal life. As I mentioned before, it's all about the lessons. I can now balance my entire life and smile doing it. If you could work with anyone, who would it be? Jennifer Lopez; she is my ultimate idol. Not only does her skin glow from L.A. to N.Y.C., but she is also the ultimate businesswoman. What are your future goals for your company? My goal is to work smarter, not harder. There are big things on the horizon; you can follow my personal blog missmonicablanco.com for regular updates. What do you look for in an employee? I look for a spark. It's not the educational background I look for, it's the fire I see in someone's eyes. What did you do before starting your company? Before I started my company I was in the legal field— workers' compensation to be exact. Boring, I know. What do you do in your spare time? I love to be near the beach. There's something about the fresh air that gets my mind to a silent place. Monica Blanco Hollywood's go-to golden girl launches Golden Runway. by Breanna Armstrong Photo of Monica Blanco by Breanna Armstrong, product images courtesy Golden Runway "It's all about the lessons. I can now balance my entire life and smile doing it." In our new "CEO Spotlight," we feature standout brand owners in the beauty industry.