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Meet and Greet!

Founded in 1995, Inspiring Champions is comprised of a team of dedicated leaders in the Salon and Day Spa Industry. We are committed to providing you with innovative and creative solutions to growing your business.

Corporate
  • Lauren Gartland
  • Zachery Hayes
  • Billie Castellaw
  • Kathleen Collins
  • Michele Dixon
Lauren Gartland, President

Name: Lauren Gartland

Title: President

Serving the Industry Since: 1983

History of Service:

  • Founder/President of Inspiring Champions
  • Keynote Speaker
  • Contributing Author, Wake Up & Live the Life you Love, In Beauty!

Bio:

"Lauren is vibrant, dynamic, compassionate & anything but boring! She is rated as one of the top Business Trainers and Success Coaches in the Salon and Spa Industry. Her passion and enthusiasm are contagious! She has personally coached thousands to the top in their life & business with her Proven Success Strategies to increase Profits, Customer Satisfaction & Service and Retail Sales."

Zachery Hayes, Operations Manager

Name: Zachery Hayes

Title: Team Support

Serving the Industry Since: 2007

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Degree in Fashion Design & Technology
  • Interactive Media Certificate Program Graduate - San Diego City Schools

Bio:

"Working for Inspiring Champions, I've seen our systems work & have seen lives changed. This company has given me the opportunity to use my gifts & talents, as well as to learn and grow in many areas."

Billie Castellaw, Sales Manager

Name: Billie Castellaw

Title: Client Relations Manager

Serving the Industry Since: 1998

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Esthetician License
  • Training in Permanent Make Up Artistry
  • Landmark Education - Forum, Self Leadership & Advanced Course

History of Service:

  • Make Up Artist since 2002
  • Licensed Esthetician since 2002

Bio:

"I love this industry, I would be lost if I could not be a part of it. The beauty industry is the Mecca or heartbeat of what we look like from the clothes we wear to the types of creams we put on our faces. Being a part of something you love and have a passion for keeps your soul young as you are at peace and harmony doing what you love not only for yourself but for others too. From beauty on the inside and out you can transform the world."

Kathleen Collins

Name: Kathleen Collins

Title: Project Coordinator

Serving the Industry Since: 2000

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • BA in Business Management
  • Cosmetology License
  • Completed 'Train the Trainer' Course
  • Landmark Education - Forum & Advanced Course

History of Service:

  • Licensed Cosmetologist since 2000

Bio:

"I experienced the major dysfunctions first hand which really had me want to make a difference for the future Salon & Spa professionals. I really love helping people and empower them to have the business of their dreams. In this industry a lot of salon and spa owners/technicians are so great technically, but what they lack is business knowledge, so I am lit up when I can give that to them and it completes the circle of success for them, allowing them to perform better because they have all of the necessary systems and structures in their business that allow for the business to run more efficiently."

Michele Dixon, Executive Assistant to President

Name: Michele Dixon

Title: Executive Assistant to President

Serving the Industry Since: 2011

Bio:

"Becoming part of an amazing team with shared passions and goals to serve the Salon and Spa Industry is the best. Since joining Inspiring Champions in March of 2010, I have become very excited about the dynamic change that can be made through the coaching and educational products IC offers to the beauty industry. Our success is measured by the success of our clients."

Coaches
  • Gary Ahlquist
  • Jolene Casey
  • Kathleen Collins
  • Lance Courtney
  • Lauren Gartland
  • Heather Goodwin
  • Debra Hanson
  • Randi Rose
  • Jill Ruone
  • Dorothy Scott
  • Oscar Valencia
  • Jynelle Waymire
Gary Ahlquist

Name: Gary Ahlquist

Title: Business Coach

Serving the Industry Since: 1982

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Bachelor of Science, Chemistry
  • Peak Potentials, Train the Trainer Certificate
  • Keynote Speaker
  • Inspiring Champions Certified Coach

History of Service:

  • Developed 3 Product Companies
  • Managed 15 Salons and Spas
  • Worked with 150 Distributors
  • Worked with over 8,000 Salons and Spas

Bio:

"I pride myself in making Cash Flow Consulting with Salon and Spa Owners easy to understand with step-by-step systems. Helping hard working Owners receive the financial reward that is due them is what drives me to work for this wonderful industry."

Gary Ahlquist

Name: Jolene Casey

Title: Business Coach, Salon Owner, Technician

Serving the Industry Since: 1979

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Making a Difference Award & Businesses Caring for our Community Award
  • 1st Runner–up, Northwest Stylist Cover Contest
  • Voted # 1 Salon Renton 2008 & 2009
  • Voted # 1 Barbershop Renton 2010
  • Inspiring Champions Certified Coach

History of Service:

  • Service Provider for 20+ years
  • Developed an In Salon Coaching Program, Apprentice Development Plan for her salon
  • Runs a thriving salon from 23-27 hours per week!

Bio:

"I know how it feels to have your business control your life, I LOVE helping people see that they have the power within, to control their business, and have the life they've always dreamed of.. When you find balance, everything else falls into place. It fills my heart with joy knowing I can make a difference in someone's life, by creating "CHAMPION" business owners I am proud to call my peers."

Billie Castellaw, Sales Manager

Name: Kathleen Collins

Title: Business Coach

Serving the Industry Since: 2000

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • BA in Business Management
  • Cosmetology License
  • Completed 'Train the Trainer' Course
  • Landmark Education - Forum & Advanced Course

History of Service:

  • Licensed Cosmetologist since 2000

Bio:

"I experienced the major dysfunctions first hand which really had me want to make a difference for the future Salon & Spa professionals. I really love helping people and empower them to have the business of their dreams. In this industry a lot of salon and spa owners/technicians are so great technically, but what they lack is business knowledge, so I am lit up when I can give that to them and it completes the circle of success for them, allowing them to perform better because they have all of the necessary systems and structures in their business that allow for the business to run more efficiently."

Lance Courtney

Name: Lance Courtney

Title: Business Coach

Serving the Industry Since: 1992

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Inspiring Champions Certified Coach
  • Inspiring Champions Certified Trainer
  • Certified Dream Coach & Group Leader
  • Keynote Speaker
  • Member of National Speaker’s Association

Bio:

"Most technicians are taught how to pin, twist, cut, color, and transform the physical appearance and condition of others, while lacking the tools, skills and systems to do the same for their own lives and businesses. My passion is giving this industry the inspiration to reach higher, while providing the necessary tools to reach further and create positive transformation."

Lauren Gartland

Name: Lauren Gartland

Title: Business Coach, President

Serving the Industry Since: 1983

History of Service:

  • Founder/President of Inspiring Champions
  • Keynote Speaker
  • Published Author, Wake Up & Live the Life you Love, In Beauty!

Bio:

"Lauren is vibrant, dynamic, compassionate & anything but boring! She is rated as one of the top Business Trainers and Success Coaches in the Salon and Spa Industry. Her passion and enthusiasm are contagious! She has personally coached thousands to the top in their life & business with her Proven Success Strategies to increase Profits, Customer Satisfaction & Service and Retail Sales."

Heather Goodwin

Name: Heather Goodwin

Title: Business Coach

Serving the Industry Since: 1995

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • 1st Runner up Nail Technician of the Year, 2007
  • Certified Master Pedicurist
  • Inspiring Champions Certified Trainer

History of Service:

  • Nail Technician for 15 years
  • Salon Owner for 2 years
  • Led 'Coaching Chronicals' - Nails Magazine

Bio:

"I love being able to help facilitate a future for someone’s career goals. By living day to day in the salon, as well as behind the chair, I am able to understand and connect with my clients on a more personal level."

Debra Hanson

Name: Debra Hanson

Title: Business Coach

Serving the Industry Since: 1976

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Certified Co-Active Professional Coach
  • Inspiring Champions Certified Coach
  • Inspiring Champions Coaches Trainer

History of Service:

  • Service Provider for 25 years
  • Salon Owner for 23 years
  • Life & Business Coach for 10 years

Bio:

"I am driven by the countless amount of Salon & Spa Owners that have not been taught what they need to know for this industry. I have a passion for developing leaders, and finding the natural leader within...I hold you accountable to your vision and goals and walk with you as your partner every step of the way to support you in realizing that vision."

Randi Rose, Finance Manager

Name: Randi Rose

Title: Business Coach

Serving the Industry Since: 1999

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Certified Life Coach
  • Former Seminar Leader, Landmark Education
  • President of the Board of Directors, San Diego Earth Works

Bio:

"I am passionate about serving people. I have touched a lot of industries, and this industry has some of the kindest, truest, sweetest, most authentic and appreciative people I have ever encountered. I love knowing that my job allows me to make a difference in someone’s life. In the quality of their life and that of their family."

Jill Ruone

Name: Jill Ruone

Title: Business Coach

Serving the Industry Since: 1982

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Goodman Group Award, 2000
  • Regis Franchise - Manager of the Year Award, 2002
  • Regis Franchise - Franchise of the Year Award, 2004
  • Inspiring Champions Certified Coach, 2008
  • Inspiring Champions Certified Trainer
  • Regis Franchise - Coach and Mentor of the Year Award, 2009

History of Service:

  • Service Provider for 28 years
  • Platform Artist for 3 years
  • Manager/Owner for 27 years
  • District Manager for 7 years

Bio:

"As the Owner of own Salon and Spa and managing my team on a daily basis, I know what it’s like to be defeated, and I know what it’s like to have great success. Being able to help an owner move forward and watch the growth they experience is an awesome thing.”

Dorothy Scott

Name: Dorothy Scott

Title: Business Coach

Serving the Industry Since: 1973

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Inspiring Champions Certified Coach
  • Coach Training Alliance Certified Coach

History of Service:

  • Hair Designer & Colorist for 37 years
  • Salon Owner, 10 years

Bio:

"I’m passionate that Salon and Spa Owners experience profitability, peace of mind and success within their business by supporting them with business knowledge. I truly understand where my clients are in their business and teach them to grow out of their self-induced limiting boundaries. I have a strong reserve of strength, dedication and accountability to myself."

Oscar Valencia

Name: Oscar Valencia

Title: Business Coach

Serving the Industry Since: 1987

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Inspiring Champions Certified Coach
  • Inspiring Champions Certified Trainer
  • Multiple awards for National Hair Competitions

History of Service:

  • Hairstylist, 23 years
  • Salon Manager, 2 years

Bio:

"My coaching style is one of understanding, compassion and honesty. If I can get my clients to see their potential and dreams, I know that together we can bring those dreams to fruition."

Jynelle Waymire

Name: Jynelle Waymire

Title: Business Coach

Serving the Industry Since: 1991

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Inspiring Champions Coach
  • Multiple awards for National Hair Competitions

History of Service:

  • Nail Specialist, 20 years
  • Salon Owner, 6 1/2 years

Bio:

"I feel I have something to offer to our coaching clients because I have walked in their shoes and I also have an education background. Learning the right way to run a salon and spa has been very challenging and rewarding and I hope to be able to pass my knowledge that I have gained through Inspiring Champions onto other business owners so that they may also live a balanced and prosperous life.

Inspiring Champions and all of their amazing systems, when used properly, can make such a huge difference in someone's business - technician or owner. I love the idea of being part of that bigger picture - changing the industry, one person at a time"

Trainers
  • Gary Ahlquist
  • Lance Courtney
  • Lauren Gartland
  • Heather Goodwin
  • Debra Hanson
  • Rachaun Julian
  • Jill Roune
  • Oscar Valencia
  • Kitty Victor
  • Paul Wilkinson
Gary Ahlquist

Name: Gary Ahlquist

Title: Trainer

Serving the Industry Since: 1982

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Bachelor of Science, Chemistry
  • Peak Potentials, Train the Trainer Certificate
  • Keynote Speaker
  • Inspiring Champions Certified Coach
  • Inspiring Champions Certified Trainer

History of Service:

  • Developed 3 Product Companies
  • Managed 15 Salons and Spas
  • Worked with 150 Distributors
  • Worked with over 8,000 Salons and Spas

Bio:

"I pride myself in making Cash Flow Consulting with Salon and Spa Owners easy to understand with step-by-step systems. Helping hard working Owners receive the financial reward that is due them is what drives me to work for this wonderful industry."

Lance Courtney

Name: Lance Courtney

Title: Trainer

Serving the Industry Since: 1992

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Inspiring Champions Certified Coach
  • Inspiring Champions Certified Trainer
  • Certified Dream Coach & Group Leader
  • Keynote Speaker
  • Member of National Speaker’s Association

Bio:

"Most technicians are taught how to pin, twist, cut, color, and transform the physical appearance and condition of others, while lacking the tools, skills and systems to do the same for their own lives and businesses. My passion is giving this industry the inspiration to reach higher, while providing the necessary tools to reach further and create positive transformation."

Lauren Gartland

Name: Lauren Gartland

Title: Trainer, President

Serving the Industry Since: 1983

History of Service:

  • Founder/President of Inspiring Champions
  • Keynote Speaker
  • Published Author, Wake Up & Live the Life you Love, In Beauty!

Bio:

"Lauren is vibrant, dynamic, compassionate & anything but boring! She is rated as one of the top Business Trainers and Success Coaches in the Salon and Spa Industry. Her passion and enthusiasm are contagious! She has personally coached thousands to the top in their life & business with her Proven Success Strategies to increase Profits, Customer Satisfaction & Service and Retail Sales."

Heather Goodwin

Name: Heather Goodwin

Title: Trainer

Serving the Industry Since: 1995

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • 1st Runner up Nail Technician of the Year, 2007
  • Certified Master Pedicurist
  • Inspiring Champions Certified Trainer

History of Service:

  • Nail Technician for 15 years
  • Salon Owner for 2 years

Bio:

"I love being able to help facilitate a future for someone’s career goals. By living day to day in the salon, as well as behind the chair, I am able to understand and connect with my clients on a more personal level."

Debra Hanson

Name: Debra Hanson

Title: Business Coach

Serving the Industry Since: 1976

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Certified Co-Active Professional Coach
  • Inspiring Champions Certified Coach
  • Inspiring Champions Coaches Trainer

History of Service:

  • Service Provider for 25 years
  • Salon Owner for 23 years
  • Life & Business Coach for 10 years

Bio:

"I am driven by the countless amount of Salon & Spa Owners that have not been taught what they need to know for this industry. I have a passion for developing leaders, and finding the natural leader within...I hold you accountable to your vision and goals and walk with you as your partner every step of the way to support you in realizing that vision."

Rachaun Julian

Name: Rachaun Julian

Title: Trainer

Serving the Industry Since: 2000

Bio:

"My passion is to inspire and empower individuals to believe in themselves and to never give up on their dreams. My unwavering commitment is to support you in soaring to your greatest heights."

Jill Ruone

Name: Jill Ruone

Title: Trainer

Serving the Industry Since: 1982

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Goodman Group Award, 2000
  • Regis Franchise - Manager of the Year Award, 2002
  • Regis Franchise - Franchise of the Year Award, 2004
  • Inspiring Champions Certified Coach, 2008
  • Regis Franchise - Coach and Mentor of the Year Award, 2009

History of Service:

  • Service Provider for 28 years
  • Platform Artist for 3 years
  • Manager/Owner for 27 years
  • District Manager for 7 years

Bio:

"As the Owner of my Salon and Spa and managing my team on a daily basis, I know what it’s like to be defeated, and I know what it’s like to have great success. Being able to help an owner move forward and watch the growth they experience is an awesome thing.”

Oscar Valencia

Name: Oscar Valencia

Title: Trainer

Serving the Industry Since: 1987

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Inspiring Champions Certified Coach
  • Multiple awards for National Hair Competitions

History of Service:

  • Hairstylist, 23 years
  • Salon Manager, 2 years

Bio:

"My coaching style is one of understanding, compassion and honesty. If I can get my clients to see their potential and dreams, I know that together we can bring those dreams into fruition."

Kitty Victor

Name: Kitty Victor

Title: Trainer

Serving the Industry Since: 1970

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • One of the 75 top Educators of the Century, Modern Salon

History of Service:

  • Salon Owner
  • Academy Owner
  • Educator & Platform Artist
  • In Salon Workshop Trainer

Bio:

"I believe everyone is a winner and champion, most people just need some guidance. Knowing that I can provide that guidance for people, and watching them succeed, is the best feeling in the world!"

Paul Wilkinson

Name: Paul Wilkinson

Title: Trainer

Serving the Industry Since: 2000

Degrees, Certifications & Awards:

  • Trainer with Inspiring Champions

History of Service:

  • Manager of Spawho.com Division

Bio:

"I like to use my spontaneous humor & genuine kindness to make sure that every training session is totally unique and anything but boring. It’s rewarding to see a person double or even triple their income after learning what I’ve taught them in just a single weekend, I love knowing that I’ve made a difference in their lives."

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