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So, you’re thinking about launching a spray tan business? First of all, YES, QUEEN! Welcome to a world where you can own your time, create a beauty empire, and make people feel amazing in their skin. There’s nothing quite like the glow of a fresh tan—except maybe the glow of an entrepreneur who’s living her dream.
Starting a business is equal parts thrilling and terrifying—but let’s be real: You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t ready to take the leap. Lucky for you, I’m here to spill the tea on how to build a thriving, profitable spray tan business from the ground up.
Buckle up, babe. It’s time to make your dreams happen.
Step 1: Know Your Why (Because Passion Drives Profit)
Before you even think about booking your first client, you need to know why you’re doing this. A business without a mission is just a side hustle that’s bound to fizzle out. Your "why" is what will keep you pushing forward when things get hard.
Are you here because:
✅ You’re obsessed with beauty and want to help people feel more confident?
✅ You’re done with the 9-to-5 and ready to be your own boss?
✅ You want a flexible, high-income business that allows you to work on your terms?
Whatever your reason, get clear on it. Write it down. Frame it. Make it your screensaver. Your why is the fuel that will keep your business running when self-doubt creeps in.
Step 2: Get Certified and Level Up Your Skills
Listen, you wouldn’t trust just anyone to contour your face, right? Same goes for spray tanning. This isn’t just about spraying people down with bronzer and hoping for the best. Technique matters.
Invest in professional spray tan training and certification. Not only will it teach you proper technique, but it will also cover color theory, skin prep, troubleshooting, and client safety—all the things that separate a total amateur from a trusted pro.
If you want to be a next-level boss, look for a training program that offers hands-on experience and ongoing support. SHINE Tanning Solutions offers top-tier education through our SHINE Pro Affiliate program, to help you master the art of spray tanning while also learning how to run a profitable business.
💡 PRO TIP: Once you're certified, practice like crazy! Your besties, your mom, your neighbor—everyone becomes your test subject. The better your technique, the more referrals you'll get.
Step 3: Choose the Right Products (Because Quality is Everything)
A spray tan is only as good as the solution you use. The last thing you want is clients walking around looking like a blotchy, orange mess. (We’ve all seen the bad tans, and honey, we’re not about that life.)
When choosing a spray tan solution, you need something that:
✨ Delivers a flawless, natural-looking glow on every skin tone
✨ Lasts 7–10 days with the right prep and care
✨ Dries quickly without that sticky, heavy feeling
✨ Smells amazing
✨ Is free from harmful chemicals and packed with skin-loving ingredients
That’s exactly why so many pro spray tan artists trust SHINE Tanning Solutions.
💎 Why SHINE?
SHINE’s professional spray tan solutions are:
✔ Organic and cruelty-free—formulated without parabens, sulfates, or unnecessary additives
✔ Custom-blended with a violet base—ensuring a natural, sun-kissed tan without brassiness
✔ Infused with hydrating ingredients like aloe vera and antioxidants—because great skin = a great tan
And the real game-changer? SHINE Ultra Express Solution. Clients can rinse in just 1–4 hours based on their desired depth—meaning no more sleeping in tanning solution or worrying about transfer.
When you use high-quality products like SHINE, your work speaks for itself. Clients won’t just love their tan—they’ll be raving about how natural, streak-free, and long-lasting it is. And that means more referrals, repeat business, and higher profits for you.
💡 PRO TIP: Stock up on SHINE’s tan-extending retail products to offer your clients aftercare essentials. A great tan starts with a great solution, but it lasts even longer when clients have the right products to maintain it!
Step 4: Set Up Your Business Like a Pro
It’s time to make it official, babe! Here’s what you need to do:
✔ Choose a business name: Pick something catchy, memorable, and professional. Bonus points if it reflects your vibe!
✔ Register your business: Get your LLC or sole proprietorship set up so you can operate legally.
✔ Get insured: Accidents happen, and business insurance will protect you from liability.
✔ Create a pricing structure: Don’t sell yourself short! Research your local market and price yourself competitively—but remember, you’re offering a luxury service, not a discount deal.
✔ Set up a booking system: Make it seamless for clients to book appointments. Apps like Vagaro, GlossGenius, and Square Appointments are game-changers.
Step 5: Build Your Brand and Market Like a Boss
If you want clients knocking down your door, you have to build a brand that stands out.
🎨 Create a strong visual identity: Your logo, colors, and social media aesthetic should be on point. First impressions matter!
📸 Take amazing before-and-after photos: Your Instagram feed should be a glow-up gallery. Show off your work and let the results speak for themselves.
💻 Build a website: Even a simple site with a booking link, service menu, and testimonials will boost your credibility.
📍 Leverage local marketing: Connect with salons, gyms, bridal shops, and beauty influencers to get referrals.
📱 Dominate social media: Instagram and TikTok are your BFFs. Post tutorials, client transformations, and behind-the-scenes content consistently.
💡 PRO TIP: Offer a referral discount. Happy clients are your best marketers! If they refer a friend, they get $10 off their next tan.
Step 6: Provide an Unforgettable Client Experience
A bomb spray tan is only part of the equation. If you want repeat clients, you need to create an experience they’ll rave about.
✨ Flawless application: Practice, practice, practice! Make sure every tan is streak-free, even, and perfectly customized.
✨ Educate your clients: Give them a prep and aftercare guide so their tan lasts longer. (Pro tip: send a reminder text before their appointment!)
✨ Add personal touches: A warm towel, a quick contouring session, or a handwritten thank-you note? That’s how you build loyalty.
✨ Follow up: A quick text asking how their tan is holding up? That’s the kind of customer service that keeps them coming back.
Step 7: Keep Growing and Scaling Your Business
Once your spray tan biz is rolling, don’t stop there. Think BIGGER.
🔥 Increase your prices as you grow: Once you're booked out consistently, raise your rates. Your time and talent are valuable!
🔥 Expand your services: Offer contour tanning, memberships, bridal packages, or mobile services.
🔥 Retail products: Sell exfoliators, self-tanners, and tan extenders to boost your income.
🔥 Hire a team: If you’re turning clients away, it might be time to bring in a team and train them in your techniques.
Final Thoughts: Glow, Hustle, Repeat
Starting a spray tan business is 100% doable—but success isn’t handed to you. You have to show up, put in the work, and build something incredible.
The beauty industry is booming, and there’s room for YOU to shine. So get out there, grab your spray gun, and start making people feel like the glowing goddesses they are.
💖 Shine bright, boss babe! You got this.
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