We recently connected with Emmy Bre and have shared our conversation below.
Emmy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.
For 3VERYBODY, I really wanted to pave a new path in the self-tanning industry by focusing on inclusivity and simplicity! While most brands stick to narrow beauty standards, I aimed to celebrate real diversity with models of all genders, shapes, sizes, ages, and skin tones. We also avoided gimmicky packaging and complex product names, making our products straightforward and accessible to everyone, not just self-tanning pros! It was important to me to use a neutral color palette that would make everyone feel comfortable having our products on their bathroom counter.
One of my proudest moments was our first launch photoshoot! No professional models, just real people with different skin tones and types that are often underrepresented in the industry. The response was so heart warming, and it showed me how much people appreciate being seen and represented.
Emmy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Emmy, a content creator and the founder of 3VERYBODY. Beauty has always been my passion—whether it’s hair, skin, or makeup. To this day, friends, family, and followers still turn to me for product recommendations. I’ve always loved trying new products and discovering the next best thing! What I didn’t realize back then was that I also had a natural knack for business. In grade school, I was a little entrepreneur, making and selling jewelry to my classmates during lunch. That creative drive, combined with my passion for art, film, and creation, eventually led me into being a content creator. In the back of my mind, I always knew I wanted to start my own product-based business—I just didn’t know exactly what until one day, it all came together!
My passion for self-tanning started when I was just 13. Don’t tell anyone, but I used to use tanning beds because they made me feel more confident in my skin. After my mom and grandma were both diagnosed with skin cancer, I became hyper-aware of the importance of safe tanning alternatives that didn’t put my skin or health at risk. Over the years, I tried countless self-tanners (enough to fill a dorm room up) but I was always disappointed, Either they left me with an unnatural, orange hue, or worse, they were sticky and uncomfortable, like wearing an itchy sweater. There seemed to be no product that was safe, natural-looking, and comfortable.
The turning point came when I saw a self-tanner go viral, specifically marketed toward men. It had rave reviews and its popularity reached beyond its intended demographic. Naturally, I had to try it. Let me tell you, it was probably the worst self-tanner I’ve ever used. But it got me thinking: Why were all these people raving about it? The answer was simple—it was marketed to them. That “A-ha” moment made me realize there was a huge gap in the industry. No one was making self-tanners to everyone. That’s when 3VERYBODY was born.
In 2022, I decided to take matters into my own hands. After over two years of trial and error, countless formula tests, skin breakouts, and perfecting every detail, I finally nailed down the formula and created 3VERYBODY—a self-tanner designed for every body, every skin tone, and every type. A product I would recommend to my friends, family, and followers.
At my core, I’m really just a creator. Whether it’s jewelry, art, or a new self-tanner, I love making products that people can connect with and feel empowered by. With 3VERYBODY, I’m continuing that journey—fusing my love for beauty, my entrepreneurial spirit, and my passion for creating products that truly make a difference.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Building an audience on social media has definitely been a journey—it’s taken time, patience, and a lot of consistency. Growth isn’t linear, and I have to remind myself of that to this day. I started creating content on YouTube and Instagram by just being myself and sharing my life. I’ve always believed that authenticity is key, especially online, where people can tell if you’re being real or just pushing a persona. Social media is always changing—there’s always a new app, a new trend, a new algorithm. That’s what makes it exciting! It keeps me on my toes and forever learning.
When I launched 3VERYBODY, it felt like starting all over, but with a twist. I already had a following from my personal content, but now I had to build a brand from scratch—starting with just one follower (me!). I just had to keep reminding myself, it doesn’t happen overnight.
What I’ve learned is that consistency is everything. Whether it’s showing up on Instagram, engaging with my community, or giving a behind-the-scenes look at building 3VERYBODY, you have to keep showing up. People want to connect with you and your journey.
I also learned to really listen to my audience. When I launched 3VERYBODY, I made sure to ask my followers what they wanted from a self-tanner, and I genuinely wanted to hear all of it—the good, the bad, and everything in between.
For anyone just starting, my advice is simple: be yourself, and don’t get discouraged if growth feels slow. It’s easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to others, but the real growth happens when you lean into what makes you unique. Find your niche, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to share both the wins and the setbacks. People are invested in the real journey, not just the highlight reel.
Keep creating, stay patient, and have fun with it! The connections will come—and so will the growth.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
There was a time my sophomore year of college when I had to make a big decision that truly changed the direction of my career. At the time, I was juggling being a full time student with trying to pursue a YouTube/ social media career. I was passionate about content creation, but the reality was that I wasn’t making any money from it yet. To pay rent, I worked as a painting instructor at a local painting studio.
One day, while I was getting ready to go to work, I received a text from my manager that stopped me in my tracks. The owners of the studio had come in the middle of the night, locked up, and closed the business down without any warning. It was a huge shock, and suddenly, I was left without my part-time job and my main source of income.
In that moment, I had a choice to make. I could start looking for another job, or I could take a risk and fully commit to what I was truly passionate about—YouTube and social media. I decided to take that risk and pour all my energy into content creation and my education. It was a huge pivot, but looking back, I’m so glad I made that decision. It forced me to take the leap I had been hesitant about, and from that point on, I dedicated any free time I had to building my brand and growing my online presence full time.
That moment taught me a lot about taking risks and trusting my instincts in business. Sometimes, life forces you to make a decision, and looking back, I realized that was one of the best things that could have happened. It not only changed my career but also taught me the importance of embracing uncertainty!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.3verybody.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3verybodytan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19tCnnxwYg/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Images: https://www.strlght.com