- Number of Stores: 1
- Location: Leon, WV
- Years in Business: 3
- Owner: Zakara Shirley
- Staff: 1
- Tanning Systems: 2 (Dr. Kern & SunCapsule)
- Tanning Levels: 3
- Lotion Brands: Australian Gold, California Tan, Designer Skin, Devoted Creations,
- Ed Hardy Tanning, Fiesta Sun, JWOWW, Kardashian Glow, Norvell Skin
- Solutions, Playboy Tan, Pro Tan, Snooki, Supre Tan, Swedish Beauty
- Other Services: Norvell Custom Spray-Tans
- Training: Sun is Life® & Norvell University
- Distributor Partner: Four Seasons Sales & Service
Li’l Pink Electric Tan might be a small salon but it’s huge on customer service, thanks to the dedication of its owner.
As a college student with a part-time job, Zakara Shirley took some time off work after losing her father, Pinkney Shirley. Two years into her grieving process, the longtime indoor tanner decided to open a tanning salon. “I wanted to do something in memory of my dad,” she said, “and owning a business has always been a dream of mine. Around that time, the owner of the salon where I used to tan told me she’d be closing her doors, so I knew everyone in our area would need to drive more than 20 minutes one-way to get a tan.” Opened on May 23, 2011, the salon Zakara created is small by any standard – it’s located in what was going to be the garage next to her home, and there are just two UV tanning units and an airbrush tanning system, but the facility provides a valuable service to her rural community.
Li’l Pink Electric Tan is a unique name and one that means a lot to Zakara. “When I decided to open my salon,” she said, “it was at a time when I was looking for a way to better my life. Since my father’s nickname was Pinkney, I named the salon Li’l Pink Electric Tan to honor him and his memory.” To make the salon something that her father would be proud of, Zakara puts a big emphasis on customer service, treating each of her guests as if they are her only one. “I cherish the connection I’ve developed with my tanners and I love making them feel better about themselves,” she added.
To ensure her continued success, Zakara sought out the training and education designed to provide her with a solid foundation of knowledge necessary to operate her business – Sun Is Life Certification. “I really learned so much from Sun Is Life that it’s hard to pinpoint the most valuable thing I’ve learned,” Zakara said. “It taught me everything I needed to know, and I believe that’s a big part of the success I’m having. This is a course that everyone in the industry should take.”
While her two-unit salon is never short on cuteness, Zakara wants to do more to meet the tanning needs of her community. “I operate a small salon, but it stays very busy,” she said, “and that’s why I am going open another location by spring of 2015. Until then, I’ll be in the process of upgrading my business both in décor and equipment. I love doing all that I can for my tanners to help them develop the results they want, and I’ve never been happier about my direction in life than I am right now!”
