MONEY

New Salisbury business brings the sunshine to you

Gray Hughes
rghughes@dmg.gannett.com
Amanda Arnold owner of The Shady Sun mobil tanning salon on Friday, Jan 27, 2017.

Amanda Arnold loved chemistry when she was in high school. She also loved the beach and getting tan.

She worked in local tanning salons and went on to attend college right on the coast, at University of North Carolina-Wilmington.

After staying in the North Carolina beach town for eight years after earning her degree, Arnold returned to Salisbury and she had a hard time finding someone to give her a good spray tan.

"One day, I decided to buy myself a treat, and that was a spray tan machine," she said. "My friends really enjoyed that after I did a couple of them, it really took off."

From there, Arnold formed The Shady Sun Tanning Company, a completely mobile tanning company where Arnold will come to a client's house, set up in their living room, give a spray tan and pack up — all in less than 30 minutes.

Her tanning solutions are completely homemade and vegan, with many of the ingredients derived from nature.

It was very important that her products are completely vegan, Arnold said, because even if someone is not vegan, it's good to ensure the products being used are good for their skin.

If someone is being careful of what they are putting in their body, they are going to be careful of what they put on their body, Arnold said.

"It's very important to us we are meeting everyone's needs, but also ensuring we are providing, good quality skin care products," she said.

Because of this, Arnold said you are not only getting a spray tan that looks natural, it's also good for your skin.

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"Your skin is happy with it," she said. "Both the day you get it and the days after."

"We really pride ourselves on making sure we have everything available for what you need," she said. "Anything from body scrub to get ready for your tan, all the way to products that will make your tan last longer."

Amanda Arnold owner of The Shady Sun mobil tanning salon applies a spray tan to Jordan Kendall on Friday, Jan 27, 2017.

Jordan Kendall, a client of Arnold's, said she really enjoys the tans.

"It makes you feel really good," she said.

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Many of her clients have body-consciousness issues, Arnold said, so ensuring they feel comfortable in their skin after spending 10 minutes getting a tan is a priceless feeling for her.

The Shady Sun is based in Salisbury, but can go to the Delaware and Maryland beaches, and as far west as Cambridge.

Her company differs from other because Shady Sun's only focus is mobile, Arnold said.

Amanda Arnold owner of The Shady Sun mobil tanning salon applies a spray tan to Jordan Kendall on Friday, Jan 27, 2017.

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The Shady Sun is run by Arnold and a team of freelancers who help with photography, social media and graphic design.

Making time for everything is a struggle, she said, but a fun struggle.

Arnold said she has big things in the works, including developing more products and attending more bridal and prom shows to get her company's name out.

As for the challenge, Arnold said it is all worth it.

"I love it," she said. "And it has been a blast. All my clients are different because they are from different areas or have different tanning needs, so it's been a wild ride."

rghughes@dmg.gannett.com

On Twitter @hughesg19