Austin, TX - Central Texas is known for its entrepreneurial spirit. Now one local woman is finding success with a new trend you may have heard of.
Tanning parties are getting popular around here. They're exactly what they sound like. People get together in someone's home to get a tan.
Forget Tupperware parties -- this is the new thing.
It's too hot to go outside. Too much sunshine isn't good for you anywy.
There's another option for people who want that glow, but don't want to deal with the harmful rays -- spray-on tans.
Blakeley Smart started "Bronzed Envy" in 2008. She goes to people's homes and gives them a tan.
Spray tanning is nothing new, but the mobile version is getting popular. Blakely says she's noticed a trend that's really catching on -- tanning parties.
"It's not a traditonal party you get invited to," Blakeley said.
She hasn't had to hold her breath. Business is glowing.
It's more than quadrupled since she started in 2008. She sells sunless tanning products across the country as well as training and equipment for people who want to start their own mobile tanning business.
it was a chance to work for herself, be home with her kids every day and set her own hours.
Her husband thought the idea was different!
"He thought it was crazy, but w've tripled business in six months," Blakeley said.
Now she's helping other women start their own businesses, and points out, it's relatively inexpensive.
For under $1,500 someone can start their own business.
I’ve told you all before how I used to be a tanning addict. Seriously. For years I tanned every single day. If I missed a day of tanning I felt like I was getting pale again. It was to the point that people who loved me were telling me that I was too dark. Here I am at the height of my tanning career.
If you can’t tell, I’m the one on the left. I even worked in a tanning salon so that I could tan all the time, whenever I wanted.
I stopped tanning when I was pregnant with Katiana at Pato’s request. He really hated it, only because I was completely addicted and was seriously abusing my skin.
Last year, I had a skin cancer scare. I had to have a funny looking spot on my shoulder biopsied. Thankfully it came back negative, but that erased all thoughts of tanning again out of my mind. (I’d been thinking about it again. I could feel the call of the tanning booth, the smell of tanning lotion, it was on my mind all the time. If you don’t think that tanning can be addicting, ask someone you know who tans – a lot. It totally is. The feeling you get when you’re tanning, the way you look afterwards. It’s hard to let that go.)
I’ve been on a quest to find the perfect sunless tanning product. I had pretty much given up after using product after product and coming away streaky and orange-ish with each one.
It’s the next best thing to an airbrush tan! It will give you an instant tan/color right away AND also develops into a darker tan over the next few hours! This stuff Rocks and is a best seller!! Your very own jump start on Healthy looking beautiful skin!!! Smart Tan In A Can is great for touch-ups after you are airburshed or the next best thing to an actual Bronzed Envy airbrush tan.
I was so hopeful when I tried this, but I had little seeds of doubt in my mind. I mean, I’ve used every sunless tanning product under the sun. What were the chances that this would be different?
First, I watched Blakeley’s video on how to use Can Tan.
Click on the video to see it full size at YouTube. I still haven’t figured out why full size ones make my front page funny.
I wanted to make sure I did it right. Then I used it.
Does it work? See for yourself!
I had to take a self picture, so you get the legs. That’s after one application. I got a little carried away and did 3 over 2 days. I told you, I like to be dark.
No streaks, even color, and I wasn’t orange!
My next question was, what would I look like after I took a shower? After the bronzer had been washed away? Just as dark!
My opinion? This is my absolute favorite, top of the list, totally the best sunless tanning product I have ever tried. I don’t know what Bronzed Envy has in Can Tan that is different, but whatever it is, it does the trick!
My sister in law and I ran into each other at Michael’s while shopping for Father’s Day presents. I had told her about Can Tan a few days before. The first thing she said to me when she saw me? OMG that stuff really works. (She’s a tan-aholic like me.)
I told you it did.
I’ve found that if I reapply every 3 days, I keep the color that I had originally built it to.
I am totally a new Bronzed Envy customer. I think I can get by with 2 bottles a month. That’s about what I used to pay for unlimited tanning for month and it’s so much healthier for my skin.
Awhhh! Arent they cute!? My designer is so great! You must must must check out her website. She re-designs blogs, does logos, biz cards, car magnets, website buttons and more!
"It is officially summer and while many are vying for that perfect sun-kissed glow, fewer are turning to the sun to get it.
According to the American Tanning Institute $5 billion dollars was generated last year from indoor tanning facilities.
Blakeley Smart is a Round Rock mom who has caught on to the new trend and now makes money throwing tanning parties. Her company is called Bronzed Envy and she also wants to help others start their own mobile spray tanning business.
My family is the love of my life! I love being with them and spending time with them. Im greatful for the life I have. One of my favorite quotes is, "Whatever the mind of a man can concieve, it can achieve!" I whole-heartedly believe this. Whatever energy you put out to the universe, it will give you back. I always strive to send positive vibes! :)
That’s after one application. I got a little carried away and did 3 over 2 days. I told you, I like to be dark..jpg)
