Some of the best entrepreneurial stories don’t start in boardrooms or pitch competitions, they start with everyday problems waiting to be solved.
That’s exactly what happened for Nash Abbas, Founder & CEO of Tan-Link.
In our conversation on The Strategic Business Influencer, Nash shared how his journey began not in Silicon Valley, but in a tanning salon. What started as a side business quickly revealed major inefficiencies in how salons operated. Instead of accepting those challenges, Nash built software to solve them. That solution became Tan-Link, a platform now powering some of the largest salon chains in the world.
What I loved most about our conversation was Nash’s approach. He doesn’t focus on selling features—he focuses on solving problems. He views setbacks, including the COVID shutdowns, as opportunities to rethink and come back stronger. And his perspective on AI is refreshingly grounded: it’s not about replacing people, but about empowering them to work smarter.
Here are a few key takeaways from the episode:
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Innovation starts with solving real problems.
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Trust comes from delivering solutions, not hype.
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Resilience is non-negotiable for growth.
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Corporate experience can be the springboard for entrepreneurship.
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Technology works best when it augments people, not replaces them.
Nash’s story is a powerful reminder that innovation can come from the most unexpected places, and that grit and problem-solving are what truly scale businesses.
Want to learn more about Nash and the incredible work his team is doing? Visit https://tan-link.com/.
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Want to dive deeper into how today’s most trusted leaders grow their businesses, brands, and influence? Pre-order my upcoming book, The Strategic Business Influencer, and get the playbook for turning leadership into your most powerful business asset. Below is a transcript of our conversation.