For years, ist Magazine has highlighted the efforts of hard-working salon owners across the country; but, there’s more than one way to get a tan. Currently, there are many “sunless-only” salons whose owners are doing their part to help keep America bronzed and beautiful. In this occasional series, we endeavor to see how “the other half” lives … and goes about the business of delivering tanned skin to those who seek it.
- Owner: Adrienne Ritchie
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Date Opened: July 1, 2011
- Equipment: Norvell Skin Solutions Arena
- Products: Aviva Labs, Norvell Skin Solutions & Vani-T
- Additional Services: Eyelash Extensions & Teeth-Whitening
- Staff: Two
- Training: Aviva Labs Sunless 101 & Norvell University
While her work as a counselor for the local school district was challenging, Adrienne Ritchie longed for more fun and fulfillment… the kind she experienced as a tanning salon employee in her teens and twenties. After starting a mobile spray-tanning business on the weekends, she decided to take a chance on her dream and open Baked Sunless Tanning in an elegant storefront in Philadelphia’s Queen Village. “I believe it’s our knowledge of different types of DHA solutions and how they react with the skin that has helped grow this business to what it is today,” said Adrienne. “Lots of Philadelphians like to be very dark in the summer when many of them go to the shore, but they still want a little bit of color during the winter months. Each November, we launch a marketing campaign that promotes our lighter, ‘winter’ shades and it’s become very popular with many of our clients.”
Given the success of Baked, Adrienne opened a second sunless salon on June 1, 2012 in the center of Philadelphia. “I was approached by the owners of a large gym chain, who asked me to open a store attached to one of their facilities,” she said. “Now, I split my day between the two stores while my dedicated staff member – Melissa Dymond – helps keep them both operating smoothly and efficiently.” Currently, there are two Baked Sunless Tanning locations in the City of Brotherly Love, and Adrienne says she’s happy to keep it that way… while continuing to do all she can to bring more tanners through its doors.
Thanks for taking the time to meet Adrienne Ritchie. In the months to come, we’ll introduce many more sunless-only entrepreneurs and highlight their unique takes on the tan biz. After all, we’re all in this together!
