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.
- Owners: Carissa & Dennis Serylo
- Location: Farmington, MI
- Opened: July 17, 2012
- Equipment: Norvell Skin Solutions 3000, Arena, Stadium & VIP
- Products: Aviva Labs & Norvell Skin Solutions
- Distributor: Four Seasons Sales & Service
- Staff: Four
- Training: Norvell University Basic & Master
As a redhead with freckles, Carissa Serylo is not a candidate for traditional, UV tanning. To develop the beautiful golden brown skin she’d always wanted, she turned to sunless tanning and now, she helps others achieve the same look. “My husband and I had both been laid off from our jobs and originally purchased the airbrush kit so we could save money by spray-tanning each other,” said Carissa. “As more and more people asked us to spray them too, we started offering the service on a mobile basis, as well as in our apartment. We got so busy that the next logical step was to open our own custom airbrush business.” While special event tanners keep the summer months rocking at SprayChic, Carissa and Dennis create various offers to convert these “wedding tanners” into regular clients. Offering six full-body spray tans for $135 – a $15 savings – has become popular, as well as a three-session deal for $85, which offers a savings of $20. “We understand what it’s like to be struggling in this economy, so we try to be as competitive as we can to give people the opportunity to enjoy our services,” she added.
Carissa says that she and Dennis are happy they opened SprayChic, and they plan to continue growing their venture. “We’re doing everything we can to make our business as steady in the winter months as it is during the summer, and that continues to be the challenge,” she said. “It helps that we’re successfully converting many of our event-tanners into regular tanners, but we know we need to do more work there, as well. We’re also considering adding another spa service to our menu in hopes that it will keep people coming back throughout the year. We’d also like to add another two rooms at the salon so we can spray more people at one time.” Until these things happen, Carissa says she and Dennis will enjoy being their own bosses… and helping people stay bronzed and beautiful.
Thanks for taking the time to meet Carissa and Dennis Serylo. 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!
