We were lucky to catch up with Emily Miller recently and have shared our conversation below.

Emily, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I originally started Golden Girls as a way to make ends meet a year after I graduated college, but I wish I would started in college. Spray tanning can be a great way for college girls to make money while learning how to manage business finances, business-to-businsss relationships, and independence. I would’ve been able to gain business experience on a smaller scale in Starkville, MS and scale up faster after moving to Memphis. My branding may have found it’s voice faster and instead of this being my side hustle, it could be my full-time job by now. My advice to anyone is to start as early as possible!

Emily, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I moved to Memphis with $200 and right before Valentines Day. I get spray tans for every occasion and sometimes when I just need a confidence boost, so naturally I wanted one for Valentines Day! When I went to research places to get a spray tan, I couldn’t afford any of the places. I decided that’s when I was going to combine my love of spray tans and proximity to the University of Memphis & create affordable spray tans for women in the East Memphis area! I basically provide confidence in a spray gun! I offer multiple levels of hand-sprayed, custom spray tan and add-ins to make a women feel confident in her own skin!
I’m most proud of the way I make my clients feel. Getting a spray tan can be a vulnerable experience but my clients say the immediately feel comfortable with me and throughout the process! I pride myself on turning an awkward, vulnerable situation into a fun and enjoyable experience!
What sets me apart, aside from my pricing, are my products and customer service. I will go above and beyond to make sure my golden girls get the tan for whatever the event! I tell my golden girls I don’t have “set” hours because I will rearrange my schedule to fit them in! My products are plant-based, vegan, all-organic products. I’ve had multiple golden girls come to me saying they want a spray tan but are terrified because their previous artist’s solution made their skin condition (extreme eczema or extreme rashes) flair up, but my solution has never caused a flair up!

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

I use Square appointments to gather client information and maintain appointments! I always text my golden girls the day after their appointment to check in and see how they liked their experience and color! Just this small act of checking in as built client loyalty. I had to transition my business from Memphis, TN to Madison, MS for a few months and have girls asking every day when I will be back to Memphis! Having girls connect to my branding and mission so much so that they’re counting down the days until I’m back means the world!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

For personal reasons, I had to move from Memphis to Madison, MS. I was terrified of losing my client base I built in Memphis and Golden Girls would end, but quite the opposite. My branding and Instagram has reached so many more women here & women back in Memphis are asking every day when I’ll be back. Biggest lesson from this pivot I learned was to trust your brand, your mission and your work product. The right people will be drawn to your marketing and skill set. If you’re putting out cohesive branding and outputting amazing work, your business will flourish in any city and state!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://golden-girls-spray-tans.square.site/
• Instagram: Goldengirls.spraytans
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/604149698059601/?ref=share_group_link

Image Credits
@kallieannephotography @marykatesteele @caleypettyphotography @brynnvbphotography @elizabethhoaedphotography