Onyi Odunukwe

He studied nursing at the University of Arkansas and trained and competed in bodybuilding before developing his businesses. His FranchiseU! interview discusses the transition from nursing studies to the tanning-salon industry.⁠[1][2][3]

In a 2025 interview, he recalled acquiring a supplement store through seller financing in 2009. A subsequent search for a second location led him to consider adding tanning services to fill a larger space.⁠[3][4]

Glo’s franchise disclosure document dates its first salon to 2010. Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the business became the starting point for Odunukwe’s expansion from local tanning services into a chain.⁠[5][6][7]

He later said that he had twice earned the Mr. Arkansas title and ended his competitive bodybuilding career after a North American competition in 2016. He connected the discipline and delayed gratification of training with running businesses.⁠[3]

After expanding to seven locations, he sold five and retained two along with rights to the brand name. In an interview with his franchise law firm, he described returning to expansion and using the retained stores as a foundation for franchising.⁠[6]

The franchise disclosure document records that Paul Rudnicki, an operator of multiple Oklahoma salons, merged his business with Odunukwe’s Glo operation in 2019. Both subsequently held co-founder roles in the franchising company.⁠[5]

Glo Tanning Franchise LLC was formed in Oklahoma. Odunukwe served as co-founder and chief executive as the brand expanded through franchising.⁠[5][7]

School of Hard Knocks released an approximately 76-minute interview about his tanning and commercial-property businesses, covering entrepreneurship, national franchise development, delegation and long-term operations.⁠[8]

In a School of Hard Knocks Q&A, he advocated improving customer experience before expanding marketing, and using clear training, operating processes and franchise partners. He also reflected on the distraction of pursuing several businesses early in his career.⁠[4]

IST Magazine’s outgoing publisher announced in a farewell column that he had sold the publication to Odunukwe, whose team would continue operating the tanning-industry magazine.⁠[9]

On FranchiseU!, he discussed technology for salon management, the need for committed franchise operators, and the Own Your Future programme helping employees become store owners.⁠[1]

Maryland’s Securities Commissioner issued a consent order over Glo Tanning Franchise LLC’s franchise registration and disclosure practices. The company agreed to cease unlawful sales, offer affected franchisees rescission and pay a $15,000 civil penalty, without admitting or denying violations. Odunukwe consented on the company’s behalf as co-founder and chief executive.⁠[10]

He coauthored Winning the Deal: Mastering Negotiation Styles to Grow Your Advantage with Jim Schleckser, covering negotiation preparation, incentives and deal-making. Apple Books lists the English ebook’s release date as February 20.⁠[11][12]

Odunukwe Ventures described using Glo’s earnings and operating experience to expand into other businesses. Its announcements that year included an investment in digital business Modare and Prime Capital Real Estate’s combination of acquisitions, financing and construction services.⁠[13]

He worked with former professional football player Cedric Ogbuehi and other partners on Earth Nail Spa and Nūr Coffee Bar. In an interview on the New York Jets website, Ogbuehi described applying membership services and repeatable operating systems to these ventures.⁠[14][13]

Hampton published a Moneywise interview transcript covering his business equity, commercial property and a rejected acquisition offer. He reported approximately $247.7 million in net worth, an unaudited personal figure. He also said he had received a federal felony conviction for selling cannabis while at college; court records independently verifying that account were not obtained for this entry.⁠[15]

Glo announced that more than 130 studios were operating nationwide, with another 250 in development, and listed more than 20 recent openings. Operating locations and development commitments were separate figures.⁠[16]

Personal website: https://www.onyiodunukwe.com/ (opens in a new window). Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweatpant_millionaire/ (opens in a new window). LinkedInLinkedInLinkedIn is a social networking platform for professionals. It was founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman and others, launched in 2003, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2011; after Microsoft acquired it for approximately $26.2 billion in 2016, it became a wholly owned Microsoft subsidiary. Its revenue comes from membership subscriptions, advertising, and recruitment solutions.Open the full entry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onyi-odunukwe-b9a87983 (opens in a new window).⁠[17][4][2]