Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth York.
Elizabeth, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Some kids take up sports as a hobby. Mine was makeup and beauty. I would beg my mom each month for the latest editions of Sassy, YM, and Seventeen magazines, read them hundreds of times, and experiment with each beauty tip they outlined on myself and my friends. Thankfully YouTube did not exist in those days or I would have been the little girl burning my hair off with a curling iron for the world to see!
After high school I attended beauty school and became a licensed esthetician, but soon after went on to college to pursue a degree in education. I completed my undergrad in San Francisco and began working as a college recruiter for an art school. That position eventually led me to relocate to Chicago, where I continued to work as a recruiter visiting area high schools. Each day I talked to students about turning their passion for creativity into careers. “Think about what you love to do, and then think about how you can get paid to do it. When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work…” is what I would tell them.
I had been thinking a lot about this myself since moving to Chicago. I liked my job, and loved working with high school kids. But thought more and more about my abandoned passion for makeup and beauty. So in 2012 I took my own advice and decided to change careers. I reinstated my esthetician license, took some makeup classes, and started booking jobs for photo shoots and weddings. When I took a class to learn airbrush makeup, we talked about airbrush tanning and I was very curious to learn it. I got a job working part-time at a tanning salon, learned how to spray tan properly, and bought some equipment to do it at home. I began by offering spray tanning to my friends and makeup clients at their homes, and people seemed to like the idea! The popularity of the in-home spray tanning service has steadily increased over the last couple of years, so I now do that full time in addition to continuing to work as a bridal makeup artist.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Transitioning from a steady paycheck with excellent benefits to working freelance without knowing when or how you will get paid next is scary! When I decided to change careers, I had to make a lot of changes in my lifestyle to accommodate that choice. I waited tables to supplement my income. Downsized from a great spacious apartment I had lived in for 5 years, and moved in with roommates I found on Craigslist. I sold my newer car and bought a cheap one just to get around the city to jobs. And those were just the obvious struggles.
Anyone who has gone into business for themselves can relate to mental highs and lows you experience. When business is good, you feel great, excited, exhilarated, and proud. When business is not so good, you question every decision you have made along the way including ever choosing to do this in the first place. I can’t tell you how many times I have wanted to give up. Funny enough, every time I have gotten to the point of throwing in the towel, some new opportunity comes along or I have a great encounter with a client that reminds me of why I love this work.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Illumine Tanning – what should we know?
Illumine Tanning is a mobile spray tanning business that delivers custom organic airbrush tans to clients in their home, office or hotel room. We set up a mobile tanning booth at their location for the client to stand inside while being sprayed. The booth contains the over spray from the gun, and is easily set up wherever there is space. We service individuals as well as groups or parties.
Clients may book their appointment on the website for same-day or future appointments. We serve as an alternative to the tanning salon and make acquiring a great spray tan easier by allowing clients to avoid the unpredictable Chicago weather. We also cater to those with busy schedules or stay-at-home moms who would otherwise have to get a sitter to go out and get a service like this.
We specialize in flawless spray tans for all complexions, and customize the color based on the client’s desired depth of tan and skin tone. We use organic solutions and products that are designed to yield natural-looking, lasting results. A variety of services are available for client’s to choose from including a custom contour tan for those looking to accentuate muscle definition and tone. We also offer packages, monthly memberships, and tanning maintenance products for purchase during the service.
My goal is to make the experience of stripping down for a spray tan as comfortable as possible for the client. I’m no supermodel and I don’t expect my clients to be either. It is very important that my clients do not feel judged or insecure about their bodies when being sprayed. We’re all perfectly imperfect in our own unique ways. This and the care and attention to detail we exercise when spraying clients is what I am most proud of as a business.
What sets us apart from others is our ability to offer high-quality spray tanning services at a similar price point to salons, in the comfort of client’s homes, and at times that are most convenient for them.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My favorite aspect of working in the beauty industry is the interactions I have with clients. I truly enjoy getting to know them, and have been inspired by so many of their stories. I think my genuine interest in others helps put people at ease, and this has been important in growing my business. Having a professional background in another industry prior to starting this business has also helped me tremendously, as I have been able to apply a lot of what I have learned along the way to my own business. And my willingness to take risks without fear of failure has also contributed to my business success. Because I have failed many times, trust me! What’s important is what I have learned from each of those instances and how I have made adjustments as a result.
Pricing:
- The Classic Spray Tan $55
- The Deluxe Spray Tan $75
- The Jetsetter Tan $79
- The Ultimate Contour Tan $90
- The Tanning Social (up to 5 people) $220
- Monthly Membership (2 Tans per month) $99
Contact Info:
- Address: Service area includes the city of Chicago, Evanston/Park Ridge to the North, and Oak Park to the West.
- Website: www.illuminetanning.com
- Phone: 773-669-8261
- Email: illuminetanning@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/illuminetanning
- Facebook: facebook.com/illuminetanning
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/illumine-mobile-spray-tanning-chicago
Image Credit:
Fredric Stein
