Hidden Gems: Meet Tara Green of TanTara Mobile Airbrush Tan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Green. 

Hi Tara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
My name is Tara Green. I am 48 years old and originally from the capital city of Missouri, Jefferson City, where I was born and raised. I have lived in the KC Metro for 23 years, having relocated here to work as a paralegal in the fall of 1998. I was in economic development and legal for over 25 years. In fact, I was one of the original commission officers of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) that redeveloped downtown KC. In 2008 when the economy crashed, my career went down in flames. I never quite recovered from that so I began seeking ways to be more self-reliant. I became a fitness instructor and personal trainer for several years and from there found there was money to be made in fitness competition tanning. In the fall of 2016 after the death of my dad and my best friend one month apart from the same cancer! I was devastated and could not fathom going back to work in an office job and decided to start a business in his memory so with the little money he left me, TanTara was born in the spirit of cancer prevention. Since that time, I have made it my mission to be the absolute best that I can be at what I do and first in customer-centricity. I have taken every certification course I could get my hands on and have networked with even the best celebrity tanning artists in the entire nation. Taking a page out of every book, I have gained no less than 6 master certifications in the art and science of sunless tanning along the way! 

During the Covid quarantine, instead of sitting idly by, I began formulating my own private label products for retail to stay relevant. My exclusive TanTara Signature Blend solution is now available in a self-tanning kit along with my signature Chocolat Star Dust powder my clients enjoy so much. 

TanTara managed to grow no less than 150% every year and in the first quarter of this Spring, we saw over 183% growth in just those few months, let alone the entire year! In June I hired my first official employee. Bree Fausnaught was one of the first fitness competitors I befriended while working at an NPC fitness competition in Omaha in 2018. Bree has been a fitness ambassador for my business for the past year so she was an easy choice. She serves as my business and scheduling manager and handles all of my calls, messages, scheduling, and bookkeeping (and that’s A LOT!) Bree discovered in February this year she in complete renal (kidney) failure and requires a kidney transplant. It has now become our business mission to find a live O+ donor to save her life. 

Aside from our beloved Bree, TanTara has other Tan Ambassadors that represent the business. Our youngest, Anna Long, is the reigning Miss Teen Missouri. She has been our Teen Ambassador for the past 2 years. Kaitlin Mach is our Social Influencer Ambassador, and last not least, Landon Patterson, a local entertainer with Hamburger Mary’s and Missy B’s, serves with pride as our LGBTQ Ambassador. We are all about inclusivity and welcome people from all walks of life. 

TanTara is a purely mobile tanning service that serves the entire KC Metro area and beyond. We have been nominated as the top 5 Best of KC by the Pitch and Kansas City Magazine. 

I reside in downtown KC Missouri with my significant other, Brian, of 5 years. I also do a bit of animal rescue on the side, and you can always find me networking with many of the rescue groups in the neighborhood groups. I always have too much on my plate and wouldn’t have it any other way. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Covid has provided the greatest hurdle. When our economy shut down, women-owned businesses suffered greatly. Many businesses without employees found it exceptionally hard as there was little assistance to keep us afloat. I don’t get knocked down so easily and I certainly never stay down. That is an opportunity for me – I now have my own line of private label products. Being a business owner is a forever challenge to stay relevant. It keeps you on your toes as you never leave the office. You have to stay awake and keep your fingers on the local pulse! 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about TanTara Mobile Airbrush Tan?
TanTara specializes in custom airbrush tanning. Not all skin types are the same and no tanning experience should be a one-size-fits-all thing. I custom blend a unique formula or plan for every single client based on the skin type, undertones, and tan goals in mind. It all matters. I have my own unique approach to different skin types often than what the industry standard is. Thereafter, I consult with them to educate them on what a spray tan is and how to properly prepare to have the best airbrush tanning experience of their life. What I do is not just a basic spray tan, it’s a full in-home customized spa experience. What sets me apart from other local services is my personal customer service. I take the time to build client relationships, get to know my clients, and follow up after nearly every service to see that everything is as desired. If they’re not happy, I’m not happy. No one is pickier than I am and it shows in my reviews. I do every tan myself. No one else. Just me. I want others to know that it doesn’t matter what your experience has been elsewhere, I am going to make it even better when you trust me. I don’t want my clients to simply been happy with a good tan, I want them to be blown away by how natural their results are at any level of light or dark! 

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I don’t know what the future holds just yet. Every year has shown me a completely new path with fresh ideas and I’m excited by the unknown. TanTara was my retirement plan. Now I’m just flying by the seat of my pants wondering what comes next. 

Pricing:

• Full mobile service starts at just $60.00
• Custom Bridal Packages are available for $145 including a test tan, 20-minute consultation, wedding service, and customized tan maintenance kit.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
• Website: www.tantaratans.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tantaratans
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TanTaraTans

Image Credits:
Devine Studios
Kat O Photography
Brian with an Eye Photography

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