Stafford business of the year plans continued growth

STAFFORD, Va., August 2026 – For Glamour Beauty and Brows founder Kristal King, being named the Stafford County Economic Development Authority’s 2026 Business of the Year was not a finish line. It marked the next chapter for a Stafford-grown business that continues to expand its impact on workforce development, entrepreneurship and the regional economy.

Since building her first client base more than a decade ago, King has transformed her work as a permanent cosmetic artist into a network of interconnected businesses that train licensed professionals, support independent entrepreneurs and create opportunities for individuals to build careers and businesses of their own.

Today, King operates Glamour Beauty & Brows, Glamour Beauty and Brows Training Institute (GBBTI) and Glam Room Salon Suites, creating a business model that connects professional services, career training, entrepreneurship and commercial space.

In May, the Stafford County Economic Development Authority recognized that growth by naming Glamour Beauty and Brows its 2026 Business of the Year during the annual Business Appreciation Reception. The award recognizes a Stafford business demonstrating strong contributions to the county’s economy and quality of life.

“Glamour Beauty and Brows represents the kind of entrepreneurial growth we want to continue fostering in Stafford County,” said Marlon Wilson, chairman of the Stafford County Economic Development Authority. “Kristal has taken a specialized skill and built a business model that creates opportunities well beyond her own company. She is developing talent, supporting entrepreneurs and helping people turn their skills into sustainable careers. Her continued growth demonstrates what is possible when strong business leadership is supported by a community committed to entrepreneurship and economic opportunity.”

That impact is particularly evident through GBBTI, a Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation licensed permanent cosmetic tattooing school offering a 200-hour licensure program designed to prepare students for the Virginia state board examination.

The institute has trained or is currently training 42 individuals, including 12 through its licensure pathway and 30 through specialized certificate courses in microblading and permanent makeup. Of the nine graduates who have taken the Virginia state board examination, eight have passed, representing an 89% pass rate among test-takers. Two additional graduates are preparing to sit for the examination.

Students receive instruction in theory, sanitation and safety, hands-on practice, live-model experience and state board preparation, along with mentorship and guidance in business development and branding. The model is designed not only to prepare students for licensure, but also to provide the foundation necessary to pursue employment, self-employment and business ownership.

King’s entrepreneurial ecosystem extends beyond the classroom. Glam Room Salon Suites currently provides space for 15 independent beauty entrepreneurs and has supported more than 30 since opening in 2018. Combined with GBBTI, the businesses provide a pathway from education and credentialing to independent business ownership.

For King, Stafford County remains an important part of that growth story and her vision for what comes next.

“Stafford has given me the opportunity to grow from an individual service provider into an educator, employer, mentor and business owner supporting other entrepreneurs,” said Kristal King, MBA, founder and instructor of Glamour Beauty and Brows Training Institute. “Being named Business of the Year reinforced that the work we are doing has an impact beyond our doors. My vision is to continue expanding our training capacity, strengthen partnerships and create more opportunities for people to build successful careers and businesses right here in our region. Stafford has been an important part of our growth, and I am excited about what we can continue building here.”

King is a licensed permanent cosmetic tattoo instructor and master microblader and holds a Master of Business Administration. She has completed more than 3,000 permanent cosmetic procedures during her career and has grown her original beauty business into a broader platform for education and entrepreneurship.

Her commitment to workforce development also extends into the community through service with the Stafford County Public Schools Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee and participation in Leadership Fredericksburg. Through these roles, King advocates for stronger connections among career education, workforce resources, entrepreneurship and economic development.

As Glamour Beauty and Brows enters its next phase, King plans to expand training capacity and pursue deeper partnerships with workforce development, education and economic development organizations. The goal is to increase access to licensed, career-focused permanent cosmetics education while helping more graduates establish sustainable careers and businesses in Virginia.

The company’s trajectory reflects a broader economic development priority in Stafford County: creating an environment where small businesses can start, grow and reinvest locally. Through business resources, workforce partnerships, networking opportunities and economic development support, Stafford County and the EDA work to connect businesses with the tools and relationships that can help them move into their next stage of growth.

For Glamour Beauty and Brows, that next stage is already underway.