We had the good fortune of connecting with kelly giorno and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi kelly, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk is …. well, risky, but rewarding! Without taking a risk, you will never grow & more or less remain stagnant. I did not want to remain stagnant or stay where I was at that point in my life. William Faulkner said, “You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” Have the courage to lose sight of what is holding you back. You get ONE life….. Why not cultivate it to be everything you want it to be? Jump, take the leap, rip off the band aid, just do it… because what is the worse that can happen? It didn’t work out? That’s ok! Take the lesson and try a different route.

 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Let me shift gears to Business #2…. The Gilded Touch by Kelly Klause. While I absolutely LOVE my tanning business, I also have the biggest passion for Christmas Decor.

I have loved everything Christmas since I was a child. The twinkling lights, the music, the vibe! I remember having my own Christmas tree in my bedroom starting in middle school…. and lights, Christmas lights, everywhere. I made my mom CD’s of all the Christmas music. I just soaked it all in.

So, fast forward to adulthood, I would put up my Christmas tree the day after Halloween! I would post a few snaps of it and would get so many requests to “come & do mine please!” I just loved it….. the over the top, boujie, classy, sexy tree. I would go and help friends until it became A LOT. I thought, “I should do this for other people…. sprinkle that Christmas Magic into their homes & businesses” & poof…. Kelly Klause emerged! Last season, I successfully decorated over 45 trees! And I loved them all!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Down here in the burbs is getting a tad more entertaining lately!

For fun, good drinks & food and yard games: visit McIntyers on Nasa or Chicken N Pickle next to Top Golf.

You could also hit up the adults only Lil Woodrow’s and ride the huge slide with some cocktails & snacks. La Brisa on 45 has an adult’s only fun yard with giant big screens for game watching & game playing!

For some amazing craft cocktails, try Preamble in Webster or Rose Water in Clear Lake.

For some great crawfish and on the lake views, go eat at Sam’s Boat in Seabrook.

Main Street Bistro in League City is a best kept secret. Ask for Melissa and tell her Kelly sent you!

If you like people watching… go hang out at the Yard at Baybrook Mall! Very interesting!

If you love being crafty, head out to the Rustic Brush in Pearland! BYO and amazing artistic crafts.

Of course Galveston is a must. Visit all the shops in the historic downtown, pay a visit to Pleasure Pier and ride some rides. Then, top it off with an incredible meal at Rudy & Pacos.

Kemah Boardwalk is nice for boat watching & rides.

Another fun little hidden in town gem is Axe Masters. We have also had so much fun throwing axes and its BYO Food & drinks so its very affordable!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Sure! Kris & Beth from Healthy Glow Tanning in Little Silver, NJ. They spurred my love for a killer spray tan back in 2005 while living on the Jersey Shore! In Jersey, great tans were a way of life!

Chante Stevens, the OG Queen of spray tanning from a home studio! When I moved to Texas in 2007 & found no one that did airbrush. My husband told me, “Oh, we don’t really have that down here.”
After 4 years of tanning beds, I was referred to Chante from a friend.
I came to tan with her back in 2010 in her home studio in the neighborhood I would eventually also live in. Sweetest woman on the planet!

My kids for allowing me the time, space & grace to grow a business I love. Well, 3 of them actually!

My ex husband, whom I came to one day & said, “I’m done, I’m quitting my full time job to spray tan in our garage,” & he said “Wow. Ok. Go for it!”

My girl friends, for their unwavering support of my businesses from Day 1.

And lastly, but never least, my loyal clients. When you are someone that tans people naked, sees their perceived “weaknesses,” is in their home to organize their personal spaces & in their home to help decorate for Christmas, there is a real sense of vulnerability that requires a lot of trust. I have built that with my clients and am grateful for each and everyone!

Instagram: @goldnglowairbrushtans

Facebook: Www.facebook.com/goldnglowairbrushtans

Other: IG @the.gilded.touch
IG @kelly_klause_christmas_queen

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.