Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Watts.
Nicole, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I spent 15 years as a Special Education working with students with emotional and learning disabilities. While I loved my job, I wanted to have something of my own. My husband said “Well, do it!” and my boys who are 21 and 16 told me it was time for me to do something for myself. So I signed up and flew to Arizona for an Airbrush Tanning Class. I rented a space inside a salon suite and was ready to go.
My husband said, “OK, you are all set up, now what are you going to do? Grab customers walking down the street?” I had no client base. I had not 1 customer. So, I got busy and started marketing myself. My very first customer is still a customer 5 years later. During that time, I became a Master Airbrush Tanning Artist and perfecting my craft. Now, my services and brand is synonymous with the words; perfection, exceptional customer service and natural. Over the past five years, I have been voted as Best Spray Tan in Dallas by Dallas City A-list – where the public gets to vote. I have been blessed to have my clients also become my friends and shared some of the most important events in their lives.
I also host a blog called Glam and Tan – where I share spray tanning tips, beauty finds, life as a mom with boys that are transitioning to adults and real life – not curated life. This includes sharing how much Botox I get and some random squirrel rants on my social media – being the real me. Without the support of my family and friends along with clients sharing why they look so naturally sun kissed, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Now, I am launching a state wide training series for those who are looking for additional income or beauty professionals wanting to add additional services for their clients.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It wasn’t a very smooth road. Starting out. Marketing has changed since I graduated with my BBA in Marketing. So I had to learn everything along the way. I did plenty of research. I made some bad investments, I trusted some people that I shouldn’t have. I have learned that customer service does not mean saying yes to everything. I struggled with charging my worth and competing with larger corporations that are able to charge less.
My largest struggle I faced now and still do is the negative perception of a spray tan. The negative experience others have had makes them afraid to try an airbrush spray tan.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Bronzed Beauty story. Tell us more about the business.
What sets me apart from others is that I do not just provide a service of a getting an airbrush tan – you get an “experience with The Bronzed Beauty”. I take the time to know you, who you are and I share about me and who I am. No one is ever treated like a number. It makes me want to cry each time I have a client referral who says “My girlfriend at work looked gorgeous and she told me you were the best hands down!” I take pride in educating my clients on how to take care of their tan. At the end of the day, the teacher in me is still there…..hence why I am teaching airbrush classes! I am known for your “natural” airbrush tan. I tell every client – that I can fix too light, I can’t fix to dark. I would rather be safe than sorry.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have been fortunate enough to make my mark in an industry that is saturated. It is a very seasonal service and it’s a service that is based on disposable income and when life changes for my customers, their luxury of spay tans gets put on hold.
I have had my share of good luck with my clients taking advantage of my referral program (bring me 3 and you are free). I have had some bad luck with making some wrong choices in marketing campaigns that didn’t bring me a return on my investment.
Pricing:
- Bronzed Beauty Airbrush is $40
- Mobile Airbrush within 10 miles of 75074 is $55
Contact Info:
- Address: 6703 Levelland Road
Dallas, TX 75252 - Website: www.styleseat.com/nicolewatts2
- Phone: 469-573-2796
- Email: nicolemwatts@icloud.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_bronzedbeauty/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebronzedbeautydallas/
- Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/thebronzedbeautydallas/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bronzed-beauty-tanning-dallas
- Other: www.glamandtan.net
Image Credit:
Eloy Juarez – Peyton Saxon – Jamie McPeake – Nicole Watts
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
