The Spray Tan Artists Making Six Figures Aren't Doing What You Think
You want to know what the six-figure spray tan artists are doing that you're not?
They're not working 80-hour weeks. They're not undercutting their competition on price. They're not running themselves into the ground trying to be everything to everyone.
And they're definitely not just "really good at spraying."
Because here's the truth: being great at spray tanning is the entry fee. It's what gets you in the door. But it's not what gets you to six figures.
The artists making serious money in this industry figured out something most people miss: spray tanning is the service, but the business is what you build around it. And that's where most artists get stuck.
They're Not Spraying More—They're Charging More
Let's do the math.
If you're charging $50 per spray tan and you want to make six figures, you need to do 2,000 tans a year. That's roughly 40 tans a week, every single week, with no breaks.
Even if you could physically sustain that pace (you can't), it's not scalable. You're capped by your time, your energy, and your body's ability to keep up.
Now let's say you charge $150 per tan. Suddenly, you only need about 667 tans a year to hit six figures. That's around 13 tans a week. Way more manageable. Way less burnout.
The six-figure artists aren't working harder, they're charging what they're actually worth. And they're not apologizing for it.
They know their expertise, their customer service, their results, and their reputation justify premium pricing. And they've built a clientele that agrees.
If you're still racing to the bottom on price because you're afraid to lose clients, you're not building a six-figure business. You're building a hustle that'll burn you out in two years.
They've Mastered Retention, Not Just Acquisition
Most spray tan artists are obsessed with getting new clients. They're constantly running ads, posting on Instagram, offering first-time discounts, trying to fill their books with fresh faces.
And yeah, new clients matter. But six-figure artists know that retention is where the real money is.
A loyal client who books every two weeks and refers three friends is worth more than ten one-time clients who ghost after their first appointment.
So instead of constantly chasing new people, six-figure artists focus on keeping the clients they already have. They:
Offer memberships or package deals that lock in recurring revenue
Check in with clients between appointments to stay top of mind
Create an experience so good that rebooking feels automatic
Build relationships, not just transactions
They're not just trying to get people in the door. They're building a base of clients who wouldn't dream of going anywhere else.
And that's what creates consistent, predictable income. Not the constant grind of hunting for the next booking.
They've Built Systems That Run Without Them
Here's what most spray tan artists don't realize: if your business can't function without you physically doing everything, you don't have a business. You have a job.
Six-figure artists have systems. They've automated the repetitive stuff so they're not drowning in admin work. They've documented their processes so they're not reinventing the wheel every time.
They use:
Online booking systems that handle scheduling, reminders, and payments automatically
Email or text sequences that nurture clients without manual effort
Templated responses for FAQs so they're not typing the same thing 50 times a day
Standard operating procedures for prep, application, and aftercare
Some of them have even hired help. A virtual assistant to handle admin. Another artist to take overflow appointments. Someone to manage their social media.
Because they understand that their time is their most valuable asset. Spending it on tasks that could be automated or delegated is a waste.
The goal isn't to work more. It's to work smarter. And systems are how you get there.
They Treat Their Business Like a Brand, Not Just a Service
Most spray tan artists think they're selling spray tans. Six-figure artists know they're selling an experience, a vibe, a feeling.
They've built a brand that people want to be part of. One that has a clear identity, a distinct voice, and a point of view.
They're not just another spray tan artist with a logo and an Instagram account. They've created something that feels different. Something that resonates. Something people talk about.
That means:
They know exactly who they're for (and who they're not for)
Their messaging is clear, confident, and consistent
Their client experience is intentional, from booking to aftercare
They show up with a personality, not just pretty before-and-afters
And because they've built a brand people actually care about, they're not competing on price. They're competing on value, identity, and connection.
People don't just book them because they need a tan. They book them because they want that experience. From that artist. And they're willing to pay for it.
They've Diversified Their Income Streams
Six-figure spray tan artists rarely make all their money from just spraying tans.
They've figured out how to monetize their expertise in other ways:
They sell products—solutions, aftercare, accessories
They teach—offering workshops, masterclasses, or one-on-one mentorship
They build courses or digital resources for other artists
They create membership communities or subscription-based offerings
They partner with other brands or businesses for additional revenue
They've taken what they know and found multiple ways to package it, sell it, and scale it beyond the chair.
Because here's the reality: there are only so many hours in a day. If you're only making money when you're physically spraying someone, your income will always be capped.
But when you diversify? When you create streams of revenue that aren't tied to your time? That's when six figures becomes not just possible, but sustainable.
They're Not Trying to Be Everything to Everyone
This is the biggest mistake struggling artists make: they think they need to serve everyone to succeed.
They take every client who books. They offer every service anyone asks for. They say yes to appointments that don't align with their business just because they're afraid to turn down money.
Six-figure artists do the opposite. They niche down. They get specific about who they serve and what they're known for.
Maybe they specialize in tanning deeper skin tones. Maybe they're the go-to for bridal clients. Maybe they've built a reputation for working with athletes or people with specific skin concerns.
Whatever it is, they've claimed it. And they've built their entire business around being the best at that one thing.
And because they're so clear on what they do and who they do it for, the right clients find them. And those clients are willing to pay premium prices because they know this artist gets them in a way no one else does.
You don't need to appeal to everyone. You just need to be irreplaceable to the right people.
They Invest in Themselves and Their Business
Six-figure spray tan artists don't cheap out on their business. They understand that growth requires investment.
They buy quality products, even when cheaper options exist. They pay for education, training, and mentorship. They invest in branding, photography, and marketing. They upgrade their equipment when it makes sense.
They're not cutting corners to save a few bucks. They're thinking long-term, asking: "What will help me serve my clients better and grow my business faster?"
And they're willing to spend money to make money—because they see their business as something worth investing in, not just a side hustle they're hoping takes off.
The Real Difference? Mindset and Strategy
The spray tan artists making six figures aren't superhuman. They're not working twice as hard or twice as long as you.
They've just figured out that building a six-figure business isn't about grinding harder. It's about thinking differently.
It's about charging your worth. Building systems. Creating recurring revenue. Treating your business like a brand. Diversifying your income. Serving the right clients, not all the clients. And protecting your energy so you can sustain it long-term.
If you're stuck spinning your wheels, ask yourself: Am I treating this like a business, or am I just really good at spray tanning?
Because being good at the craft is step one. Building a business that actually makes six figures? That's a whole different game.
Stop working harder. Start building smarter.
