3 minute read
Bahama Bay: Tanning Business with Expertise
Bahama Bay
Female-owned tanning business provides expertise
By Blake Ashley Frino-Gerl
Feeling good in the coming new year is what we all want, right? To achieve that feeling, one may look for services to assist their outer appearance. Bahama Bay Tanning Company in Paso Robles is one of those businesses — ready to help clients feel good, starting with their outer selves. Owner Linda Martinez has over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, and that gives her expertise in her business to make “people look and feel better about themselves.”
Growing up in Morro Bay and then Los Osos, before moving to North County 20 years ago for more opportunities and affordability, Linda, who previously owned a salon, relishes in her beauty industry journey. However, as a past client of Bahama Bay Tanning Company, which has been in operation for 20 years, she found out that after the business was sold the first time she would have been interested in purchasing it. Then, six years later, when Linda “was perusing Craigslist,” she saw that a tanning salon was for sale.
“That meant one of the two in town, and I knew it wasn’t the other,” she says. “So I called and met with the owner … the rest is history.” She happens to still be friends with both previous owners.
As the third owner for the past 11 years, Linda has upped the level of services for clients. She offers “five levels of tanning beds — from beginners to advanced, custom airbrush, spray tan automated machine, infrared wellness pod, swimwear, clothing and other retail items.” She has two female employees who are also “Smart Tan trained — there is actual training for tanning!” Her business encompasses a plethora of knowledge on the services to provide the best for their clients.
Linda notes that while beauty may be the goal for many of her clients, there is care for their well-being. She says, “It’s not always about the tan.”
Her clients may come in for medical reasons, such as psoriasis, eczema, lack of Vitamin D, depression, or SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). She finds that pre-tanning before a vacation is a good idea if prone to burning, but that it is always good to consult a doctor and get educated on tanning.
When asked if she finds it empowering to be a female owning her own business, she says, “Yes!” With many women-owned businesses on the rise, she finds that “we support each other, and the networking to keep us all motivated is huge.”
Being part of the increasing female-led businesses is reassuring to not only her employees, but also her female clients who put trust in Linda and the services she provides.
The best thing about owning her own business? “I only have to argue with myself!” While Linda doesn’t have to abide by anyone else’s rules, she reaffirms that owning a business isn’t always easy. Yet, she loves what she does and knows it well. Her clients “leave with a smile no matter how bad their day is,” she adds. For Linda, having happy clients make it all worth the hard work.
For more information on Bahama Bay Tanning, visit bahamabaytan.com
Gifts & Gift Certificates Spray Tanning & Traditional Tanning Beds Custom Airbrushing Clothing & Bathing Suits Infrared Therapy
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Saturday: 8:30am - 3:00pm
