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.
- Salon Name: Smart Bronze Sunless Tanning
- Location: Southlake, TX
- Date Opened: July 2008
- Owner: Stacie Phinease Norvell
- Equipment: Norvell Skin Solutions Z-3000, Norvell VIP2 & Norvell
- Auto Revolution Spray Booth
- Staff: Five
- Products: Norvell Skin Solutions DHA solution
- Additional Services: Fashion Accessory Sales
- Training: Norvell University
An extremely fair complexion and inability to develop a natural tan influenced Stacie Phineas’ decision to open a sunless-only tanning facility. Now, more than four years later, her Smart Bronze Sunless Tanning salon is a thriving success. “In 2008, a friend of mine told me about sunless tanning so I gave it a try and the results were fabulous!” she exclaimed. I left a 17-year career in the fashion accessory industry to open Smart Bronze, and we built the business by getting involved in many community fundraising events and anything else to get our name out there. We also learned everything we could about DHA and the science of sunless tanning, and that, I believe, has been the key to our success – learning how it reacts with the skin helped us become much better airbrush technicians than we would ever have been without that knowledge.”
On July 12, 2012, Stacie Phineas became the “first lady of sunless” when she married industry veteran Rick Norvell during a small ceremony in Nashville, TN. “Two years ago, I attended a Norvell University training, and Rick and I definitely noticed each other,” she said. “We started talking during a break and we’ve been inseparable ever since.” Today, the couple splits their time between Nashville and Arlington, TX while day-to-day operations at Smart Bronze are handled by Liana VonBose (Manager) and Erin Reeves (Assistant Manager). “Liana and Erin are extremely talented airbrush technicians and I’m very fortunate and thankful to have them leading the Smart Bronze team,” she said. “With their help, I plan to grow the business, and I might even add a UV tanning unit to offer our clients a ‘tanning cocktail.’”
Thanks for taking the time to meet Stacie Phineas. In the months to come, we’ll introduce many more sunless-only entrepreneurs and highlight their unique takes on the tanning biz. After all, we’re all in this together!
