On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Van Hong, Co-Founder of Mint Tools — the professional hair tool brand designing high-performance, ergonomic styling tools built with stylists in mind. Mint was founded by two best friends who combined over 40 years of beauty industry experience and electrical engineering expertise to solve a major gap in the market: salon tools weren’t designed for the people actually using them. Today, Mint’s line of curling irons, blow dryers, and brushes deliver salon-quality results with comfort, safety, and durability at the forefront.
Before launching Mint, Van spent years as a stylist himself, constantly frustrated with tools that were heavy, clunky, and unreliable. Pairing that experience with his co-founder’s technical background, the two reimagined what professional styling tools could be. From salon demos to consumer feedback, Mint has built a reputation for innovation, transparency, and products that last. Van opens up about the process of testing new tools in salons, what makes Mint different from competitors, how he thinks about safety and design for wigs and extensions, and the exciting trends shaping the future of hair styling technology.
Whether you’re a stylist, beauty enthusiast, or curious about what it takes to turn an industry pain point into a thriving brand, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.