When did you start your business and what motivated you to go into business for yourself?
Mint Tan was founded in 2017. I minored in General Biology at UCSD, and the science behind sunless tanning came very natural to me. My daughter is a busy dancer and unable to commit to a regular work schedule, so we formed this business as a means for her to gain some business acumen before going to college, and it gave me an opportunity to fulfill my love for science and beauty.
Tell us a little bit about your business?
Having been in the dance community for a very long time, my daughter and I saw a need for beautiful and natural airbrush tans without the harmful chemicals, which is currently on the market. We also saw found that overdeveloped (orange tans) were still a real issue. We set out to resolve these issues, and that’s how Mint Tan was founded.
Who is your ideal client/customer?
I have a wide demographic, but I primarily serve competitive athletes, such as dancers and cheerleaders. I also serve a lot of bloggers and moms that are looking for inexpensive ways to pamper themselves. My ideal client values clean products, and a natural “peak of summer” tan.
What is the one thing that sets your company apart from its competitors?
I’m committed to using clean products. My solution is free of alcohol, glycols, parabens, and other chemicals. It is vegan and 100% natural. I have extensive education and training, which is why I guarantee a beautiful and natural tan without any orange tones. I also care about our eco-systems, and only carry palm-oil free maintenance products.
What is your greatest accomplishment as an entrepreneur so far?
One of the greatest accomplishments is that I’ve started a business that my daughter is a part of, and she can take this business with her when she goes off to college. A more recent accomplishment is that I am the first artist ever endorsed by SunFX, which is one of the oldest and largest, worldwide sunless manufacturers & distributors. We are currently collaborating on a series of training programs.
What are your top 3 values in life and business?
Family First, even before business. As a business owner, I value natural & sustainable products. I truly believe in karma and the law of attraction – I’m committed to staying in my own lane; there’s a lot of spray tan artists out there, and I believe there’s more than enough business for all of us. I also try to stay positive and step out of my comfort zone OFTEN – I find that positive things fall in place when I’m in a positive mindset and I expose myself to new people, groups, etc!
What is the most helpful tip or “hack” you’ve ever learned, stumbled across, or been given?
Join as many FaceBook groups that’s relative to your craft and demographic! I’ve gotten a lot of business through these virtual (but local) networking groups. Do not advertise your business if it’s against the rules, but jump on an opportunity to offer your services when someone needs a referral.
What’s your favorite funny story about yourself?
I always tell people about how I let my husband spray tan me, and he turned my foot orange! Then he told me to scrub it off because that’s really bad for business! Well, I guess that’s a funny story about my husband, not me…
What is one food/drink you can’t live without?
Sushi! I’m Hawaiian & Japanese, so culturally raw fish is a stable!
Are you a morning or evening person?
Hands down, night owl!
What’s your superpower, or what’s your spirit animal?
My superpower is that I make people happy, instantly! You’d be surprised what a little color will do to your self-esteem!
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’m such a people pleaser that I run myself ragged saying yes to everyone and everything! I have to learn to say no, and not feel HORRIBLE about that!
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
So I took a family poll on this question; I thought Sandra Bullock, because she’s passionate and she’s also this unassuming clown and goofball. My daughter said Sofia Vergara from Modern Family, because she’s loud, pretty, and funny. To which my husband added “and no one can understand her when she gets excited”. (For the record, English is my native and only language, so I don’t know what they’re talking about…must be my Hawaiian accent. Haha.)
What is your best advice for women entrepreneurs?
Network, network, network! It not only helps to grow your business, but you find like-minded women who have experienced the good and the bad, and you can learn from them!
Cherie Silva
Mint Tans
Facebook Page: ttps://www.facebook.com/MintTans/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mint_tans/
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