Send us a text Kate Sprouse stumbled upon sugaring while teaching at a holistic aesthetics school, and something about this ancient hair removal technique captivated her completely. "Once you touch sugar," she explains, "once I held it, once I got certified, I started playing around with it at home. I sugared any friend or family member that would come around, and I was like this is it? This is the ticket?" Fifteen years later, Kate's intuition has proven remarkably accurate. Her Portland-based ...
Aug 03, 2025•41 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Send us a text What happens when the Sugar Mama meets the Sugar Daddy? A frank, educational, and surprisingly hilarious conversation about the specialized world of male body sugaring! Shannon welcomes Armando Gualtieri, founder of The Sugar Daddy - New York's premier sugaring studio exclusively for male anatomy - to share insights from his thriving practice. Armando's journey from massage therapist and theater artist to sugaring specialist began with his own painful waxing experience (colorfully...
Jun 01, 2025•46 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Send us a text What happens when a traumatic waxing experience leads to entrepreneurial triumph? Meet Georgia, a sugar professional who transformed her small-town Wisconsin beauty practice into a thriving business supporting her entire family. Georgia's journey began with a horrifying waxing incident during her pregnancy that sent her to the emergency room and took months to heal. Searching for safer alternatives, she discovered sugaring—but found no practitioners within hundreds of miles. This ...
May 04, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Send us a text Sarah Herbst's remarkable transformation from a struggling single mother to the "million-dollar sugarist" reveals what's possible when passion meets perseverance. Fourteen years ago, Sarah was living with her mom, jobless with a newborn baby, when she encountered someone performing sugaring at a spa. The elegant technique captivated her immediately - not just for its beauty benefits (it cleared up her eczema) but for the profound human connections it facilitated. "When someone wal...
Apr 06, 2025•41 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Send us a text What would happen to your business if life threw an unexpected curveball your way? Join me, Shannon, the Sugar Mama, as I share the poignant moments of losing my mother and the challenging task of closing my childhood home. This personal journey has taught me invaluable lessons about the importance of being prepared, both in life and business. I explore the necessity of having a trust, keeping organized records, and ensuring that someone can seamlessly take over your business if y...
Mar 02, 2025•20 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Send us a text On this episode of The Sugar Show , Shannon the SugarMama talks with Love2Sugar educator Kasey Reynolds about her inspiring sugaring journey. Then, in the second half of the podcast, Shannon dives into the importance of being financially smart in business. Part 1: Kasey Reynolds' Sugaring Journey Kasey shares her remarkable story of transitioning from her career as an EMT to becoming a successful owner of SugarJunkie. Her journey is a testament to perseverance, financial literacy,...
Feb 02, 2025•45 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Send us a text What if a personal and professional breakthrough could stem from something as simple as body sugaring? In this episode, I take you on a heartfelt journey, sharing my transformation from a tumultuous divorce and the challenges of being a single mother to discovering my passion and building a successful business in the beauty industry. Through the art of sugaring, I found not only financial stability but also a community of support and purpose. Fast forward to 2022, where amidst new...
Jan 05, 2025•27 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Send us a text Ever wonder how to ensure every client steps into your sugar salon and leaves feeling like they've just had a VIP treatment? That's exactly what we're unpacking on the latest installment of The Sugar Show. I take you through the transformational power of self-evaluation for your salon's aesthetic, the magic that happens when clients are swept off their feet by your high-quality environment, and the non-negotiable of spotless cleanliness – your business's reputation depends on it. ...
Mar 24, 2024•42 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Send us a text Get ready to transform your sugaring skills into a booming business! Season five sizzles as Shannon the SugarMama chats with the impressive Tajina Rock, a SugarPro who's elevated her game from expert practitioner to a sought-after educator. We're peeling back the layers of the sugaring world, from the sweet success stories at Bare Bodies Sugaring Academy to the skin health revelations with Radeq from Radeq Lab. This episode is a treasure trove of knowledge that will leave you stic...
Mar 10, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Send us a text Embark on a sweet expedition with your Sugar Mama, Shannon O'Brien, as she shares her transformative story from sugaring novice to entrepreneur extraordinaire. Tune in and unearth the power of the skin microbiome, and how it's revolutionized by Radeq Lab's groundbreaking sugar-paste concoctions. This isn't just about hair removal; it's a garden of delight for your skin, where every treatment feeds and fortifies your natural flora. With the help of the innovative minds at Radeq Pie...
Feb 20, 2024•19 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Send us a text Discover the transformative power of prebiotics in your beauty regimen as Radeq from Radeq Labs and I, Shannon, unveil the secrets of sugaring and skin care that will redefine your approach to hair removal. My own educational evolution, fueled by an unquenchable curiosity for the science behind cosmetology, has led to this moment where traditional ingredients take a backseat to innovative skin-nurturing solutions. Embark on a journey that began in the simplicity of a home kitchen ...
Feb 12, 2024•52 min•Season 5Ep. 87
Send us a text Are you prepared to navigate the complex world of trademarks? Brace yourself for an enlightening conversation with Elizabeth Henson, Chief Marketing Officer at Indie Law. Liz takes us through the intricacies of trademarks, demystifying the process of choosing a strong and unique business name. Drawing on my personal journey of trademarking "The Sugar Mama," we discuss how having a strong brand identity can help you stand out in your industry. In today's episode, we are joined by E...
Dec 03, 2023•25 min•Ep. 86
Send us a text Ready to turn your business dreams into reality? Buckle up as I take you on a thrilling journey from zero to multiple six figures, sharing the secrets of my success along the way. We're not just talking about the wins, but about the planning, organization, and most importantly, holding ourselves accountable for our goals. It's time to map out your path to success and I'm here to provide the roadmap, the GPS, and the necessary fuel for the journey! In this action-packed episode, we...
Nov 19, 2023•25 min•Ep. 85
Send us a text Want to sweeten your esthetician business prospects with sugaring? Then, this podcast episode is as essential as sugar in your morning coffee! We kickstart with the nitty-gritty of honing your skills and understanding the importance of certification in this industry. This is a crucial step towards preventing ingrowns and ensuring smooth sugaring experiences for clients. Remember, your pre and post sugaring care can either make or break the client's perception of you. The conversat...
Nov 05, 2023•30 min•Ep. 84
Send us a text Are you ready to unlock the secrets of making your beauty business thrive in the digital world? With the knowledge shared by our expert guest, Grant Kantios from Go Happy Beauty, you'll learn to navigate through SEO complexities, create an engaging website, manage reviews effectively, and understand the power of a robust Google Business profile. This episode is a goldmine for beauty professionals, filled with invaluable advice to help your business stand out online. We deep-dive i...
Oct 22, 2023•47 min•Ep. 83
Send us a text Ready to unlock the secrets of choosing the best body sugaring certification program? As an expert in sugar hair removal and a licensed esthetician, I’m thrilled to guide you towards fulfilling your potential in the beauty industry. In this riveting episode, we'll be breaking down the differences between certificates of completion and actual certification, and how this can affect your success. We'll be taking a deep dive into what constitutes a quality online certification program...
Oct 08, 2023•32 min•Ep. 82
Send us a text Imagine a world where businesses thrive not on competition but on community and collaboration. That's the reality we're painting in this illuminating discussion. As a veteran of the beauty industry, I've discovered firsthand how crucial it is to form professional connections and engage with our community. This synergy doesn't just drive business growth, but it elevates the entire industry standard, benefiting everyone in it. Like a rising tide that lifts all boats, this collective...
Sep 24, 2023•25 min•Ep. 81
Send us a text Are you wrestling with the sticky challenges posed by humidity in your sugar waxing room? Do you dream of mastering the perfect sugar paste texture, regardless of the weather? Courtney and Ben Leddy, the dynamic sugar duo, come to the rescue in this enlightening episode, armed with their valuable insights and experiences. They pull back the curtain on the often-overlooked topic of managing humidity levels in the treatment room, revealing how this vital aspect can significantly imp...
Sep 10, 2023•27 min•Ep. 80
Send us a text With the rise of social media and all the time and energy you’ve spent to keep up with what's trending or stay relevant, you may be asking yourself “Do I even need a website anymore?” Heck yes! And Grant Kantios is here to tell you why. Grant is the self-proclaimed “Chief Happy Officer” at HappyTans.com and a website wizard who helps businesses improve their website & online presence to generate more leads and more importantly, sales. Whether you’re a seasoned sugar pro lookin...
May 07, 2023•34 min•Ep. 79
Send us a text As the weather warms up and the tank tops come out, your clients may be looking for that extra warm glow - but why risk damaging their beautiful skin with harmful UV rays when you could simply spray it on? This week we’re throwing it back to an interview with the incomparable Kelly Callaghan to talk about how to add spray tanning to your sugaring biz, and how we can collaborate together to take our businesses to the next level. Kelly is an industry trailblazer who notoriously star...
Apr 30, 2023•23 min•Ep. 78
Send us a text Are you nursing a bit of a post-tax-season hangover? Never fear, our favorite Beauty CPA is here! Kenesha Coleman is an award-winning CPA and IRS Enrolled Agent who specializes in helping ambitious and driven Beauty Entrepreneurs save money by optimizing their tax and financial lives. I know many of our Sugar Tribe has gone to her to do their taxes and no matter what state they're in, she can help. So instead of helping with the aftermath, Kenesha is here today to set you up with ...
Apr 23, 2023•36 min•Ep. 77
Send us a text So your face has flared up to the point where you feel more tomato than human - now what? Shawna Rocha is the Director of Education for Hale & Hush (a brand we <3 here!) and a sensitive skin expert to the max. Not only does she teach a class in the Advanced Knowledge Library, but we’ve also taught together on this exact topic. Shawna is a sensitive-skin master. Whether it's medically sensitive, environmentally sensitive, product sensitivities, hair removal sensitivities, or...
Apr 16, 2023•35 min•Ep. 76
Send us a text Have you ever thought about going back to Sugar School? I know what you’re thinking - “But Shannon, I already have my Sugaring Certification and a solid book of clients who keep coming back for more, what more could I possibly have to learn??” The answer is a whole heck of a lot! This week Tiffany Montalbano, lead educator at Alexander’s Aesthetics, is back on the podcast to reminisce about the dark days of COVID lockdown and the massive benefits of continuing sugaring education. ...
Apr 02, 2023•37 min•Ep. 74
Send us a text Today I’ve got the incredible Stephanie Laynes with me and we’re talking all about Facebook Groups. Not mine, not hers, YOURS! There really isn’t anything else on the internet like a Facebook group. Sure you can blast your next event out to the masses on your Insta or engage with your followers in the comments section, but a Facebook group is really the only way to create real, meaningful connections with your community. So if you’ve ever considered having a Facebook group (or if ...
Mar 26, 2023•52 min•Ep. 73
Send us a text Are you someone who thinks your clients’ experience begins and ends in the treatment room? Oh if only it were that easy! But we can’t leave it up to our clients to Google or binge-watch TikTok for the latest fads to take care of their skin in between appointments. The results of that can range from silly (did you really think that a flashlight marketed as a "laser" would reduce hair growth?) to downright irresponsible (hello second-degree chemical burn from a high-powered acid exf...
Mar 19, 2023•26 min•Ep. 72
Send us a text Wanna know the secret to increasing your sugaring or skincare business by 50 new clients easily? Sugaring isn’t just for the girls anymore! All humans can want a smooth chest, back, or Brazilian or polished brows. So whether you’re marketing to clients who identify as male, are transitioning, or anywhere in between - it’s time we changed our perspective on who our ideal sugaring or skincare client is! BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN: How the rise of social media has...
Mar 12, 2023•22 min•Ep. 71
Send us a text With tax season knocking on our doors, it's the time of year when we estheticians get real about our businesses. And what better way than to ask ourselves the hard-hitting questions? Have you taken the necessary steps to make sure your sugar business is protected with the appropriate trademark? Do you even know what a “trademark” means to your business? In this episode of The Sugar Show, SugarMama Shannon O’Brien sits down with her legal guide, Joey Vitale, to discuss the importan...
Mar 05, 2023•36 min•Ep. 70
Send us a text So many of my podcasts are geared toward estheticians who have their own businesses, which is awesome, or maybe they're thinking of going solo. But today I wanted to address the employees. For all those employees out there, it is really an awesome time for your career because you can focus on your clients and not worry about all the details of running a skincare business. So let's dive into how you can be the best employee you can be. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN...
Feb 26, 2023•21 min•Ep. 69
Send us a text What do you get when you mix an RN, a cosmetologist, and a little bit of sugar? A Sugar Goddess™️ that’s what! I am so excited to introduce all my Sugar Babes to meet Courtney Leddy. Courtney is the founder of Sugar Goddess™️, a beautiful line of sugaring products that she built with the help of her husband Ben on the admin side. So grab those headphones and listen up, because Courtney is here to tell you what it really takes to be a Sugar Goddess! BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING...
Feb 19, 2023•28 min•Ep. 68
Send us a text That’s right! Our favorite Beauty CPA is back on the podcast today to help you crunch the numbers this tax season. Kenesha Coleman is an award-winning CPA and IRS Enrolled Agent who specializes in helping ambitious and driven Beauty Entrepreneurs save money by optimizing their tax and financial lives. Kenesha has been a long-time friend of the show and I’m so grateful to have her back on to be our “safe place” where we as estheticians and small business owners can go to ensure we’...
Feb 12, 2023•36 min•Ep. 67
