6 Tips On Starting Your Sunless Business

By Kristin Jackson

So, you have been thinking of starting your own sunless business but you’re not sure where to start. Here are 6 tips to get you on the path to bronzing success.

Before you ever spend a dime on your new business, you need to invest in yourself. You wouldn’t buy a car if you don’t know how to drive right? Start by attending a free webinar on sunless tanning or register for a class from a reputable company such as Norvell University. This way you know what to look for in your choice of equipment as well as how the sunless tanning process works. These classes even go over customer service and common obstacles you may face. The best plan for success is preparation, and this statement is one to remember when it comes to sunless… keep reading.

You have the education, now what? It’s time to look at the equipment. There are a lot of options when it comes to your equipment however, not all equipment is the same. Things to consider:

Where will you be spray tanning? Are you going to be mobile visiting clients at their homes, or will you have a dedicated space for this service? You wouldn’t want to buy a large bulky machine to travel, just as you might want a larger compressor if you are spraying back-to-back clients at a central location. Heck, you might not even want to perform the spray service yourself and opt for an automated booth. Therefore, sunless business owners love to use Heartland. Our Support Reps are well educated in all types of equipment and can walk you through options to find your best fit. While it may be tempting to purchase equipment online, you lose out on the ability to ask questions and it may not have warranties. When equipment needs to be updated with parts online companies are a poor option for helping you. More on this is our 3^rd tip below.

Choosing the right solution for your business. This is just as important as your equipment as the product you use determines your brand. Your business is your personal brand or reputation. Choosing what to use and where you get it can make or break your brand. There are hundreds of sunless brands on the market. Heartland tests brands and only carries those that have been tried and proven to be quality products. We partner with manufacturers to ensure quality and freshness so you can rest easy knowing they will do what they are supposed to. Heartland is one of the only wholesalers in the country with a dedicated temperature-controlled storage room to ensure your product is maintained properly and doesn’t break down. And, unlike other online sellers, you can call and speak to a live person for help and answer questions.

Remember the quote above about preparation? As a spray tan artist preparation will be your favorite word. A fantastic spray tan starts with a good prep game. This means the skin is clean and exfoliated as well as having a good pH balancing primer applied. No doubt you will remember for your education in step one, but your pH plays a vital role in how your tan will develop as well as the condition of your skin during and after your tanning experience. Heartland carries everything you need for prepping the skin as well as supplies such as hair caps, foot protection, nose filters, and barrier cream so you can get everything you need in one place.

Now that you have everything you need it’s time to learn to spray. Start with family and friends spraying with a “practice solution” (one without DHA) so you become comfortable with how your equipment works and being in front of a client. Friends and family won’t have a problem voicing any concerns or recommendations, and you won’t have to worry about an unhappy customer early on in your business. Once you are comfortable with spraying reward your testers with a real spray tan with DHA solution.

It’s time to get real clients! There are several things you can do to market your new business that won’t break the bank. Social Media is a great way to advertise for little or no cost. Create business cards using free programs online and printing. Be sure to nurture referrals by telling clients you will give them a free spray tan for referrals. Always follow up with new clients after their first spray service to ensure they are loving their results and then ask if they would be kind enough to add a review on social media or google (wherever you have your business listed).

Heartland is here to help you every step of the way, now go create your empire!