Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Johnson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Katie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In 2011, two years after having my twins, I started a mobile spray tanning service in Sierra Vista, Arizona. I was a sole proprietor at that point and basically wanted a job that could get me out of the house a couple of times a week but enable me to stay home to raise my twins the majority of the time. As a former high school teacher, I knew that if in went back to teaching while my twins were young, I would literally be working to pay daycare bills. So Sunny Girl was born and it took off more than I anticipated.
It took a lot of hard work to market myself in a town I wasn’t familiar with but once it caught fire, I became busier than I wanted. I found that the people I tanned were interested in this service and I was constantly being asked about how to start. Several times I had clients pepper me with questions only to turn around and be my competitors after starting similar businesses. That’s when I decided to start hiring independent contractors to work for Sunny Girl. I started this process very slow and steady which I am incredibly proud of to this day. Many times, I told people no to joining the business because I felt as though I could not handle it at the time. This was the right decision to make because I still had learning to do. Over the years I added more and more girls in the business of old and two people buying into the SG franchise, enabling them to run their own location no matter where they are. Last year, one of our longtime technicians, Shannon Walk, bought half of the company and has help me take this to a new level. Partnership has only enabled this company to grow bigger and better. It’s in a constant state of change the more we grow but it’s definitely something I feel prepared for after all of my experience doing the work. We currently have more than 30 girls working for the company across 11 different states and one international location. It’s a very exciting time for us!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve had so many struggles along this road that I’m very very thankful for overall. I have had more copycat businesses then we can count so we’ve had to change our tactics and how we respond to these kinds of questions our clients ask us. I’ve also had a lot to learn about the management of our technicians. My background is an education so the whole structure of the business has also been a great challenge but also very exciting because I’ve been able to be creative about how I develop our business plan. It’s something I’m very proud of since its creative and sets us apart from other direct sales companies.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Sunny Girl Spray Tan – what should we know?
We are mobile spray tanning the service. We specialize in all kinds of Tans including fitness, pageants, wedding parties, and just regular every day Spray Tans. I think what sets us apart is really the ladies who work for this company. They come from all different walks of life, many of them have full-time jobs and are mothers and do this on the side for extra money, and others do it full-time finding great success at it. We are unique because every person who buys a sunny girl franchise comes into the company with the ability to make the same amount of money as anyone else. We are not a pyramid scheme and if people are willing to work, they can really turn a great profit.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
So many people have made this business what it is today. Without the support of my family, I certainly could never have done this. My sister got me into the spray tanning business when she started her own after having small kids. My initial reason for starting was because she told me how great it would be for me so I owe a lot to her. The technicians who have worked tirelessly for this company, and believed in it even when it was small are due a lot of credit. My partner Shannon Walk has been one of these people since day one. When I look back now, I realize that these people were jumping into this company and believing in it as I did without it having much widespread credibility. I’m so thankful to all of these people.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sunnygirlspraytan.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @sunnygirlspraytan
