Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cassie Arndt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Cassie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job

I’ve always worked in customer service from my first job at 14 years old and feel as if every job prior to business ownership has prepared me for entrepreneurship. I’ve learned how you make people feel will always trump anything else. In the spray tan business it can be vulnerable for a person to be standing in front of you fully nude or partially nude so I try my absolute hardest to build rapport with my clients before starting their tans. I let them know that I understand that it can be vulnerable but I do not judge. I keep the conversation going and make sure I’m always making eye contact with them. The best compliment I can get is that I’ve made someone feel comfortable!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Back in 2008 I worked at a tanning salon in my hometown of Centralia, WA where I laid in the UV beds way to often. We offered spray tans at the salon so I learned how to spray tan there. I also worked at Starbucks and a local Credit Union at the time as a bank teller. Once I went full time at the Credit Union I quit both the tanning salon and Starbucks and worked in banking for 12 years! I gave birth to our 2nd daughter in July of 2019 and wanted to stay home for a year and then Covid hit about 6 months after that forcing me to stay home with my oldest daughter and be a home school teacher. Once it was ok for kiddos to go back to school we got news from the Army we would be moving to Texas. Another hiccup in the road to get back to work. Once settled in Texas I applied for a few jobs and didn’t even receive an interview, talk about a blow to the gut. Deep down I always have wanted to own my own business so I thought about what I know and what I knew I could be successful at. For two months I read anything and everything about spray tanning, the solutions, the equipment needed etc and finally decided I wanted to open up my own business so I ordered all the supplies needed, made social media accounts, and put it out to my friends and family. I posted on all the local Facebook groups and I started getting bookings almost immediately. I was scared, scared, scared! My first paying client watched me dump solution all over the place but she’s been one of my most loyal clients since I opened up! I run my business out of my home and at first I thought that may turn off potential clients but what I’ve come to find out is people don’t care where they get their tans as long as they get a good tan! I take my job very seriously and am constantly reading and learning how to be the best there is. I’ve been in business 8 months and have recently won best in Central Texas! Not only do I do anything and everything possible to give the best tan but I strive to make sure my clients know I appreciate them. I don’t take my job lightly and I want future clients to know their satisfaction is guaranteed.

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

I think it’s so crucial to have open communication with my clients! I touch base with them before every appointment and let them know my instructions and what to expect! Before each appointment we go over why their getting a tan, what depth of tan they’re looking to achieve and we manage expectations! I write a thank you note to each new client and I check In with them every single time the following day to make sure they are happy! I also make sure they know that I am open and transparent and want to hear all of their thoughts!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Asking clients for pictures and reviews to showcase my work and so people can read from my clients what they can expect to get from me. I’ve learned you have to ask for business and ask for the things you need/want. Word of mouth is huge so I have a referral program as well. Every time someone refers someone to me they each get money off their tans.

Contact Info:

• Website: Solelysunless.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/solelysunless?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solelysunless?mibextid=LQQJ4d