We were lucky to catch up with Haley Dykes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Haley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

At Sprays by Hay, our mission is more than just giving people a great tan—it’s about confidence, inclusivity, and empowerment. I started this business because I know firsthand how feeling good in your skin can change everything. Whether it’s a bride preparing for her big day, a college student gearing up for recruitment, or someone who just wants a confidence boost, I believe everyone deserves to feel beautiful and comfortable in their own skin.

Customer service is at the heart of everything we do. From the moment someone walks into our studio, my goal is to provide a welcoming, personalized experience that makes them feel at ease. Spray tanning is an intimate service, and I want every client to feel comfortable, cared for, and confident in their results. That’s why I take the time to customize each tan, educate clients on proper prep and aftercare, and ensure they leave feeling their absolute best.

Spray tanning is more than just a beauty service for me—it’s a way to create a space where everyBODY feels welcome, no matter their shape, size, or reason for tanning. I’ve seen the impact a good tan can have on someone’s self-esteem, and that’s why I put so much care into each tan I do. From perfecting my techniques to offering custom solutions, my goal is to help people not just look good but feel good, too.

Sprays by Hay was built on the belief that beauty should be accessible, uplifting, and judgment-free. It’s not just about the tan—it’s about how you feel when you leave my studio. And that’s what makes this mission so meaningful to me.

Haley , 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?

Hi there! I’m Haley, the owner of Sprays by Hay, and my journey into the spray tan industry was anything but traditional. I originally went to college for social work because I wanted to help people, but I quickly realized that the emotional toll was absolutely heartbreaking and draining. I knew I still wanted to understand and connect with people, so I switched my major to sociology and fell in love with learning why people are the way they are.

Then, COVID hit. Everything shut down, and like so many others, I felt stuck and uninspired. I needed a confidence boost, and I thought to myself, A good spray tan would make me feel better. But there was one problem—everything was closed. So, I ordered a basic spray tan kit online, and that’s when the magic happened. I started spray tanning a few of my friends, and before I knew it, one turned into two, then five, then 15 spray tans a day… right in my kitchen! It was such a dark time in the world, but for a few minutes, a spray tan could make people feel happy and beautiful. That’s when I realized—this is what I want to do. I want to help people feel confident in their own skin.

As my business grew, I quickly outgrew my little kitchen (and my waiting area, which was just my living room at the time). My sister had just opened a salon, and everyone encouraged me to take the next step and move into a studio space. That’s when Sprays by Hay truly took off.

But I didn’t stop there. I eventually opened my own salon, creating a space where my clients could feel completely comfortable while getting the best spray tan experience possible. That salon has now grown into SBH Studios, a fully operating salon suite space that I own and manage. I wanted to build something bigger than just my own business—I wanted to create a space where other beauty professionals could grow their own businesses, too.

Now, I not only offer spray tans, but I’ve built an entire sunless retail line, including prep and aftercare essentials like soap, lotion, self-tanning mousse (Summer Hays Self Tanner), and a teeth-whitening pen that my clients love. I’ve also created a community—something bigger than just spray tanning. We call it the Tan Girls Club—a welcoming space where everyBODY belongs, no matter their age, body type, or reason for tanning. Whether it’s for a wedding, vacation, sorority event, or just a little confidence boost, my goal is to provide the best tan and the best experience possible.

What sets Sprays by Hay apart isn’t just the flawless tans—it’s the experience. I’ve worked hard to make sure my studio is a comfortable, uplifting environment where clients don’t just come in for a service—they come in for an experience. My goal is to empower women (and men!) to feel confident in their skin while providing top-tier customer service, high-quality products, and a personal touch that keeps people coming back.

I’m incredibly proud of how far this business has come, expanding not only in Knoxville but shipping retail products all over the United States. Sprays by Hay started as a small idea in my kitchen and has turned into a brand that helps people look and feel their best. And that’s what it’s all about—helping people feel confident, beautiful, and empowered in their own skin.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my audience on social media by first creating an Instagram page, but before even posting anything, I made sure people knew about it. I texted my friends, asked them to follow, and encouraged them to share it with their own circles. Word-of-mouth was huge in the beginning, but what really helped was running social media ads and offering discounted spray tans in exchange for after-photos and story posts. That exposure got my business in front of new people and built credibility quickly.

But more than anything, I built my audience by showing up and putting myself out there. I stopped overthinking and just started posting everything. I used to stress about making everything look perfect, but I realized people connect more when you’re just being yourself. Whether it was sharing behind-the-scenes moments, showing my personality, or talking directly to my audience, the more I leaned into authenticity, the more engagement and growth I saw.

My advice for those just starting? Tell everyone you know. Hype it up. Follow people, interact, and ask them to share. If you want to grow faster, offer an incentive for people to engage with your content, whether that’s a giveaway, a discount, or an exclusive offer to get people to engage with your content.

Social media is constantly evolving, so invest time in learning social media, marketing strategies, and study engagement strategies. I spent hours listening to marketing podcast, watching TikToks and YouTube videos to understand the algorithm, content trends, and engagement strategies. Social media is constantly evolving, so stay adaptable, test different content styles, and most importantly—be consistent! Growth takes time, but when you show up as yourself and build a real connection with your audience, everything falls into place

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe my reputation within the spray tan industry was built on consistency, quality, community, and visibility.

First, I focused on delivering flawless, natural-looking tans every single time. I perfected my technique, invested in high-quality solutions, and tailored each spray tan to my client’s skin tone and needs. Word-of-mouth spread quickly because clients could trust that they’d always leave with an even, streak-free glow.

Second, I built a welcoming and inclusive environment. From the beginning, my goal has been to make everyone feel comfortable, whether they’re first-time tanners or regulars. I created the Tan Girls Club as a community where everyBODY belongs, and that sense of inclusivity has kept clients coming back and referring their friends.

Third, customer service is everything. I made it a priority to be personable, reliable, and always available for questions. Whether it’s educating clients on prep and aftercare and making sure each experience is positive, I’ve worked hard to create a business that people trust and want to support.

Another key factor? Showing up as myself. I made sure to show my face on my page, let my personality shine, and genuinely connect with my audience. People don’t just buy a spray tan—they buy into an experience, and a big part of that is building relationships. By being present on social media, sharing behind-the-scenes moments, and engaging with my followers, I’ve built a loyal community that supports not just my business, but me as a person.

Lastly, I built strong relationships within the spray tan industry. Becoming friends with other spray tan artists, networking, and supporting others in the industry has helped me learn, grow, and establish credibility. I believe there’s room for everyone, and instead of seeing others as competition, I see them as a community. This mindset has not only helped me expand my knowledge but has also contributed to my reputation as a trusted expert in the industry.

By combining high-quality service, authenticity, and strong connections, I’ve been able to build a brand that stands out and continues to grow!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sprays-by-hay.square.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sprays_byhay/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpraysByHay/
• Other: TIKTOK:
  https://www.tiktok.com/@sprays_byhay

Image Credits

@socialhouseknox
@makenziehamiltonphoto
@coastalroadd
@jennbeard