Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenna Monrroy.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2016 I started working at a local tanning salon in Pasadena shortly after moving back home from University. To be honest, I had very little interest in working there but my mom wanted to get me out of the bar I had been working in at the time so she got me an interview at the salon. At this point in my life, I had no idea what I wanted to do and had lost full sight of who I was, almost unrecognizable. After adjusting my habits and starting to work out I gained a newfound confidence. This bled into my work life at the salon and I was working full time while going to school. Then the pandemic hit. Since our team was small and close nit we all worked together to make sure we stayed afloat. However, by this point I had given a lot of thought to the idea of starting my own mobile spray tans. I decided to go forward with this idea. I remember feeling stuck and as if my youth was slipping away because I was always working. I genuinely had no idea how I was going to find new clients or even brand myself.
As it is, spray tans already have a stigma about being orange, smelly, and not worth it but I genuinely felt otherwise. The commonality I had amongst many conversations while working at the salon was the fact that a spray tan was giving the clients confidence! Whether that was wearing a bathing suit, shorts, dresses, or just feeling good in their own skin. I myself had so many moments of self-doubt, not feeling good enough, and simply being miserable that I wanted to help others feel their absolute best. Everyone deserves to feel good in their skin. Since then I have been making moves through Los Angeles. I have made so many new friends and have been able to experience so many new things throughout my small business journey. As of recently, I have finally started to get more exposure by being a vendor at flea markets that support and focus on small businesses. I would be lying if I failed to mention my support group that came primarily from my friends and family. Looking back only a year ago I wouldn’t be where I am today without their help. Little Kenna thought life at this age would be very different. I had my life plan as do most people, but of course that track fell off long ago. Despite never thinking I would be where I am today, I am so grateful my life plan did not work.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some of the struggles I have encountered have focused around putting myself out there. This entailed me constantly speaking on my personal social media pages to friends, acquaintances, and family to convince others to try spray tanning. It may sound silly but I was constantly showing the process of what a spray tan session entailed and its results in hopes of making other people more comfortable. It is also imperative to make sure I have a spray tan on constantly to show people and talk about it with others. This really came into play when I started networking and trying to meet other small businesses to collaborate with. I have reached out to influencers and creatives with larger audiences to get more exposure but have been denied multiple times. Although I have received some yeses the reality is that they haven’t actually worked out yet. Like anyone else, I have had periods of time where I still doubt myself and want to lay down and pretend like I don’t have responsibilities. But I push myself to do whatever is needed because I know it will pay off one way or another. Being transparent with my followers is key to gaining others’ trust but it does not mean it is easy for me to be so vulnerable at times. If I don’t push myself out of my comfort zone I will never grow. Through these challenges and constant uncomfortable moments, I have learned that error does not mean no but a different path to successes. Every accomplishment is a step forward, big or small but it would not happen without a few failures or challenges.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Got to Glow is a business that offers spray tanning services. Depending on a client’s needs, Got to Glow will assess the color and customize accordingly. Spray tans have carried a negative stigma about being orange, sticky, and unnatural. However, they are rarely spoken about. Spray tans are in fact a great alternative to the more damaging option of sitting in the sun for a natural tan especially when overly consumed. Studies have also shown a rapid increase in the self-tanning market and is only expected to continue to grow in sales. In terms of the branding for Got to Glow, as much as we love the tan, our passion stems from helping others feel great in their own skin. Got to Glow believes everyone deserves to feel their absolute best and if a spray tan can help achieve that, we feel accomplished.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
The biggest risk I took with starting Got to Glow was betting on myself. The idea of Got to Glow started in the midst of the pandemic. During this time I realized I could not depend on someone else in order to make a living for myself without feeling confined. Despite not having a physical business front, I still made my services work by converting a small space of my home to accommodate my clients. I understood that not everyone felt comfortable with mobile services during such an uncertain time and I didn’t want to create an excuse for losing potential clients. I took on the risk of needing to believe in myself in order for others to trust me. As everyone had different experiences through the pandemic, I wanted others to still feel their best and have hope for the return of normalcy again. Let me tell you, I am so glad I decided to take that risk on myself.
Pricing:
- $50-Single Session
- $55-Single Session
- $75+ Mobile Services
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtg_sprays/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/got-to-glow-pasadena
Image Credits
Lara Blanco Photography
