We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Finley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My original thought process was to have more freedom with my time. I was so used to working 8-5 jobs without significant growth potential and a strict schedule. I knew that I wanted kids and knew that I didn’t want to constantly feel like I was on a hamster wheel, so it was important for me to do something that I loved and that made a difference to someone, anyone! As I dove deeper into my “why” when I started up my sunless business, I wanted to do something that would be geared towards women, all shapes, colors and sizes. I wanted to be able to sprinkle women with confidence to help them feel their absolute best… and that is how Evolution Tans was born! The tan room is a safe place for anyone to just be themselves, vent, laugh, cry and get their tan on. This business has opened so many doors for me and has helped me grow in ways that I never expected.

What should our readers know about your business?
One thing that sets me apart is definitely my ability to be relatable. I get clients and other artists that ask me how I juggle the salon life and family all the time! I keep it real and take Instagram along for the ride! Also, my brand is about ALL BODIES, our goal is to help encourage women to feel confident in their own skin. I am a huge advocate for women and for creating a safe space for all shapes and sizes! I strive to make my clients feel pampered and not judged, paired with some girl talk and at the end of their 20 minute session, I get to see their confidence boost tremendously!

I didn’t start off my sunless journey thinking I would have over a 6 figure income and the best part is, I am doing what I LOVE. This year, 2021 I hit 2 huge goals for myself that I planned on doing in the next TWO YEARS. One huge accomplishment was opening my salon in The Woodlands, this was a dream I had planned to hit in two years. I now plan to outgrow my current space within 2-3 years. Do I dream big? YES! Never stop dreaming big and say those affirmations out loud baby! Manifest it, dream it, do it! Next up, I planned to create my own solution line, a premium solution brand that would fit all skin types and have amazing ingredients that were going to be beneficial to the skin while giving my clients what they want, a super-rich exotic dark tan! I wanted to do this in the next three years or so. I am excited to announce my fabulous new solution called DEADLY NIGHTSHADE, it is the Evolution of Solution! It is absolutely gorgeous, and I am so proud of it! It launches in November!

Oh my gosh! Okay, so if you had asked me five years ago about risk taking, I would have said “no thanks… all day every day!”  I started this business in my garage with a spray tan tent, my machine, and a few starter solutions. Fast forward to today, I would not be where I am without the risks I have taken. The entire journey, from opening my first studio location a little over a year ago to a storefront one year later. I constantly push myself out of my comfort zone and each time I do I see a huge jump in my business growth. The moment it’s calm and I am comfortable, I know it’s time for some bigger moves! Was the journey easy? No, but 100% worth it!

My business keeps me motivated and I am continuously looking for ways to improve my clients experience. Customer service is a huge one for me. Our “Glow-Getters” are the heartbeat of Evolution Tans and I value their feedback. I want our clients to be able to trust us fully and not hold back. I have been so lucky with the most amazing clients that not only trust our team but refer us to everyone they know! I really do feel lucky!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So I recently went out for a girls night to Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar and let me just say, it was SO MUCH FUN! That place is a must for a night out! I also love concerts so the Toyota Center is high up on the priority list!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my clients and the ladies of Evolution Tans, without ya’ll my journey would not be possible! I love and appreciate you all so much, you’re the heart of E.T.!

Website: evolutiontans.com

Instagram: instagram.com/evolutiontans

Other: Google https://g.co/kgs/bKcdZe

Image Credits
Erika Geier

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