Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Meadows.
Kelly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started working at a local tanning salon at the age of 16. I always loved beauty, health and supporting other women so I knew that being in the beauty industry was in perfect alignment for what my passion was.
As I got older and had more financial responsibilities (fun!), I realized that I could make more money in a corporate setting. I worked in telecommunications for about 10 (long) years and found out that I was extremely good in sales. I was always at the top of the rankings, I won a lot of awards and trips and was making 6-figures by the time I quit my last corporate escapade in 2013.
Making 6-figures in my mid-twenties was great BUT I knew that there was more to me than just living in this rat race. I would struggle every day to get to work, some days I would cry out of frustration and I just felt and knew that I was not living my truth. It was then that I realized I needed to do something about this situation. I have always been great at saving money so I had enough saved up to quit my job and travel for about a year to “find myself” and to figure out what I was doing with my life.
The more I travelled, the more I realized I wanted freedom. I had always kept journal entries with business ideas in hopes that I would eventually take the leap of faith and open up my own business. While looking at an old entry, I noticed that “mobile tanning” was at the top of the list. I honestly have no clue how I even knew what mobile tanning was; I had never received a mobile tan nor did I ever hear about it from friends or anyone I knew… but it was there.
I researched a lot of information and finally decided to invest in an online training program, equipment, solution and started my business.
I learned about business operations, marketing, technique and a lot of other components to my new venture. Word spread quickly and in as little as 6 months, I went from solely mobile to renting out my first space in Pacific Beach. I worked my ass off trying to promote to local businesses, putting fliers up and learning how to market my business online.
It took me another year and a half of growth to finally allow me to open up my own brick + mortar location, Slay Beauty Bar. We now offer eyelash extensions, waxing, teeth whitening and facials in addition to airbrush spray tanning. We are one of the most well-known spray tanning businesses in San Diego and one of the most well-known spray tan contouring businesses in Southern California.
In addition to operating Slay, I have built a prestigious beauty academy for individuals + beauty professionals who are interested in learning how to spray tan or how to apply eyelash extensions. I now work with all types of women on an international level who are just as eager as I am to be happy, successful and live a life that they truly love.
I am extremely happy about the growth of our business, but I am even more happy that I get to live my truth and help other’s do the same. It is incredibly rewarding + I couldn’t be more grateful.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Being an entrepreneur definitely has its struggles.
I explain this to anyone who is about to get into business: you need to hold on tight, keep your vision front + center, set attainable goals and try to not get pushed down by negativity from yourself or others along the way.
The biggest struggle I have had to endure is hiring other people to help me. I am “OK” at delegating work but not the best at it. I am also too trusting of some people so that has been a problem when trying to find women to join our team. I am learning how to do this better day by day and I am hoping that by January 2018 we will have 1-2 more solid members on board who can help represent our brand + mission well.
We’ve also had other business owners copying our work – from blog posts to names of our training programs to the training programs themselves. This is annoying for obvious reasons but I truly believe this is more of their struggle than mine. I have learned to choose my battles and most of those who choose to take from others will always be in a different vibe/momentum than the original creator so I choose not to let that affect me/my business.
Almost everyday, I encounter a “struggle”. Whether it’s a small mistake I made or trying to get things done on a timeline while juggling the salon and the two other businesses I own. It’s insane, actually. I appreciate (some of) the struggles as they usually lead to a learning experience or understanding myself + my business better.
Slay Beauty Bar and Spray Tan Class – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Our mission is to make each and every one of our guests feel confident, beautiful and luxurious.
We have created a space where we welcome guests – whether they are male or female, tall or short, thin or thick – to enhance their confidence to slay!
When they enter our facility, they are warmly welcomed by name and with their choice of bubbly or h2o. They are welcome to lounge around while we carefully detail their room to cater to their beauty and health needs.
Our guests visit with us is dedicated to them and only them. We will show our guests what a luxurious treatment feels and looks like each and every time.
Whether our guests are looking for the perfect airbrush contour spray tan, customized lash extensions or skin care love, we are here to help them gain even more self love and youth!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success, to me, means living your absolute truth. When you are in alignment with what feels good, what feels right and you are experiencing flow – when things just seem to easily happen for you – that is success.
Happiness is success. Finding your passion is success. Being excited about life is success. Having faith is success. Living authentically is success.
Pricing:
- Airbrush Spray Tan : $45
- Contour Spray Tan : $80
- Eyelash Extensions : $150
- Spray Tan Training : $497+
- Eyelash Extension Training : $1297+
Contact Info:
- Address: 720 Turquoise St. #1 San Diego, CA. 92109
- Website: www.slaybeautybar.com
- Phone: 858-333-6922
- Email: info@spraytanclass.com
- Instagram: @slaybeautybarsd
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slaybeautybarsd/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/slay-beauty-bar-san-diego-2
- Other: www.spraytanclass.com
Getting in touch: SDVoyager 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.
