Salon Spotlight: Bronzmopolitan

We caught up with one of our Evolver’s, Bethany the owner and opperator of the Bronzmopolitan Spray Tan Bar in Scottsdale, AZ.

Describe what you do in less than 150 characters. Go.

I run THE most fun Spray Tan Salon in Arizona!  I meet fantastic people and provide them with a pleasant salon experience and perfect tan.  Our salon serves champagne, wine, and beer, so tanning time is basically happy hour!  I run the day to day operations at the salon, make sure all of our employees are rock-stars, and do behind the scenes work like our web design, social media, and more!

What was the inspiration for your career route?

I absolutely LOVED getting spray tanned.  I worked at a spray tan salon during college and got hooked.  Once I graduated and moved back to Scottsdale, I realized there was a lack of great spray tan salons in my neighborhood and decided I should open my own!  The goal was to create a space that was spacious and inviting – not a small studio with a “rushed” feel of get in and get out.  I wanted a place where clients could come and enjoy a glass of wine and really enjoy their tanning experience.  Tanning should not be an errand – it should be something you look forward to!

 

 

What is the most memorable milestone in your airbrush business so far?

Being able to hire an evening manager so that I could spend my evenings at home was a huge milestone for me!  When Bronzmopolitan opened, I expected to put in long hours but did not realize the toll it was going to take on me!  Tanning clients for 10 to 12 hours 5 days a week for almost 2 years was beginning to cause me physical stress.  Being able to find an amazing, talented, and trustworthy manager to take some of the work off my hands was a huge achievement!  Not only being able to trust my salon to someone else in my absence, but maintaining steady enough business to be able to afford this type of employee was huge!

 

 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?

I see myself starting a family, and hopefully passing the Bronzmopolitan torch onto another tan lover!  I would always love to stay involved in the business, but hope to see myself more behind the scenes rather than working in the salon.  I have clients begging me all the time to open a location in their city or state (if they are from out of town), so maybe someday we could open some new locations too!

 

 

Do you have any advice for other professionals considering to get started in the airbrush industry?

Be prepared to put in a lot of time and energy!  Airbrush tanning high volumes of clients is physically demanding (and definitely a great workout!) so you will want to be sure to take good care of yourself.  Sorry, but there are no sick days!  Busy seasons can get crazy, and you will encounter all types of people.  People can be quite demanding and expect you to move quickly without sacrificing perfection.  Be prepared to interact with all kinds of personalities, and you can win over any client you meet!

 

 

What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?

 Early on, I found it difficult to hire reliable employees.  I have learned now how to spot the warning signs of someone who does not have good intentions.  Genuine people can be hard to come by, but if you do your due diligence, you can find amazing employees who care for your business (almost) as much as you do!

 

 

PLAY

 What is your favorite social media platform?

Facebook is still my go-to social media platform.  I am trying to get more into Instagram and Twitter!  Instagram is a great platform for finding new clients, and I hope to utilize it more this upcoming year.  I should probably jump on the Snap Chat bandwagon soon as well … they seem to be taking over!

 

Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?

Evil Mrs. Piggy is hilarious.  I don’t follow many celebrities or political figures on social media… I just like to read things that make me laugh!

 

What gives you the greatest FOMO?

If I know my husband is out doing something fun with our friends and I am stuck at work late or something… I get super jealous!  I always have FOMO for fun!!

 

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Dance Moms!  I love to watch that show … my husband can not stand it.  But I just can’t help it, I am addicted!

 

 And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…

Success is feeling safe, happy, and content at the end of the day and knowing you did all you could do to be the best version of yourself.  Going to sleep with no fears and no regrets!  When you have that, I think you’ve found success.  Remember to find happiness with what you’ve achieved and always appreciate what you have, rather than coveting what you don’t.  Great words of wisdom my husband always gives me when I thinkI am not doing good enough:  Never let “perfect” stand in the way of “good!”