Schilleci ready to hit the road with tan business
By KALEY LYON klyon@dailynews.net
Lauren Schilleci admits she likes to stay busy.
And with a 3-year-old daughter, a full course load at Hays Academy of Hair Design and a new business in the works, it's a good thing she does.
About three months ago, Schilleci launched SP*Rayz Tanz, her own spray-on tanning business.
"Business hasn't slowed down yet," Schilleci said. "There's still weddings to go to. A lot of people don't like sitting out in the sun."
The 20-year-old grew up in Hays -- her father started Schilleci's Deli, 1103 E. 27th -- and the family relocated to Texas. Schilleci decided to come back to Hays for her cosmetology training, she said.
After paying for spray-on tans for nearly three years, Schilleci came to realize that starting her own sunless tanning business could be a viable option.
She completed training in Texas, purchased the needed equipment, and opened up shop.
A small room of her apartment has been converted to a tanning room, but Schilleci also has the capability to be mobile, visiting clients in their own homes. She's willing to travel to the surrounding area, but mileage charges could apply depending on distance, she said.
"It's just a lot easier to be mobile because I can set my own hours," said Schilleci, who got her start with a local salon.
Schilleci uses a special formula, which contains a blue pigment to balance the bronzing agents, preventing the dreaded "orange" tanning results, she said.
The tanning lotion, which Schilleci applies with an airbrush machine, also contains vitamins, minerals and skin-firming agents.
After applying the solution, an immediate change is noticeable, Schilleci said, noting the tan will continue to darken over the next four hours. Clients are encouraged to shower the following day, and all excess chemicals will be washed away.
The substance also washes easily out of clothing, she said, noting the chemical will only rub off the first day.
The tan lasts about two weeks, and Schilleci has various tanning packages available to loyal customers. Tanning parties, for special occasions like proms and weddings, are also available.
Schilleci will finish school in August, and is hoping to move to Las Vegas. However, she's already working to expand her home-based business.
Schilleci is working on another set of online training courses to provide airbrush makeup, which is administered in a method similar to the tan.
"That's the No. 1 way brides usually do their makeup," Schilleci said. "It's the best way. It stays on very well."
For more information about SP*Rayz Tanz, visit www.sprayztanz.com or find Lauren Schilleci on Facebook.