Ground Floor: Seasoned business owner starts mobile airbrush tanning service

Kathy Miller says running a business is a lot like riding a bike - once the skills are learned, they are not easily forgotten.

And, after a 14-year hiatus, she is getting back on the bike.

Miller on Aug. 10 opened The Bronzing Bar, a mobile airbrush tanning service - 14 years after selling her first business.

'Am I scared to death? Yes. It's a different world now,” she said. 'But I think the old school approach is still the way to go - establish good rapport with people and give great customer service.”

Miller bought her first business, a dance studio in Cedar Rapids, at age 19. She ran it successfully for more than a decade before selling it to stay home with her children. That business remains in operation under new ownership.

As a stay-at-home mom, Miller pursued a couple of different home-based businesses, which she said did well. But a divorce led her to abandon those pursuits and enter the working world.

Miller said that going to work for someone else after years of being her own boss was a difficult transition. To make matters worse, various jobs in retail sales and management required working nights, weekends and holidays and caused her to miss out on many of her children's activities.

Finally, burned out, she realized it was time to get back into business for herself. But what would she do?

During a stint working at a women's wellness center, Miller had gained some hands-on experience with airbrush tanning. She determined that an airbrush tanning business was a good option for her, especially given the public's growing concern about UV exposure.

'With more people staying out of the sun and the tanning beds, I see airbrush tanning becoming more popular,” she said. 'You can still have the glow without the damage.”

The next step was research. Miller tested several different sunless tanning products before selecting the Norvell line. She said her decision was based on the quality of the line and the comprehensive training provided through Norvell University.

She used her savings to purchase equipment and, after completing technician training courses, practiced her technique on herself and her friends and family before opening to the public.

Miller said her past experience as a business owner taught her to be disciplined with finances and not overspend on things such as advertising. Instead, she is pounding the pavement to get the word out about her new business.

'I know to work with what I have,” she said. 'Word of mouth is still good advertising.”

The Bronzing Bar provides in-home airbrush tanning services by appointment in the Iowa City/Coralville/North Liberty area. Mileage charges may apply in other locations.

' Know a company or manager who has been in business for less than a year that would be ideal for 'Ground Floor”? Contact Francie Williamson at francie.williamson@thegazette.com