Sun Kissed Tanning is a new salon that has opened across the street from campus in the complex near Quiznos. It is owned and operated by a Wright State Graduate who has worked hard to get to where she is today. The salon has 10 tanning beds, two different spray tan customs, top of the line toning supplies and a monthly giveaway for customer appreciation.
“My favorite part of owning my own business is at the end of the night after cleaning up I sit back and realize that I made my dream a reality,” Jenn Blackburn, owner of Sun Kissed Tanning, said. “I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do, but I did my research. What the area didn’t have a lot of was tanning salons. I wanted to cater to people; I’m a toner myself. I offer my customers whatever I’d want at a tanning salon.”
Blackburn said that she worked her way through school and managed to save a lot of money over the course of five years. She always wanted to start her own business. She found a location and paid for everything that needed to be done from contractors, to painters, to flooring, which totaled more than $15,000.
Blackburn said that owning a business is not easy. It is difficult to get the salon ready every morning. She also said marketing is difficult because of the wide market and the multiple ways to reach it.
Blackburn graduated from Wright State with a Mass Communications degree. While in school she wanted to be an ESPN Sports broadcaster but during her senior year got turned off by certain classes.
"I enjoyed being at Wright State,” Blackburn said. “I was in a sorority, Beta Ki Alpha, I went to basketball games and tried to stay active and help the community. I stayed out of trouble and took my studies very seriously but still had fun."
"I'd tell students who are looking to start their own business to have a solid plan, including a financial plan because it's not easy and your life changes dramatically,” Blackburn said. “Think everything through and have a back-up plan. I think it's also good to not do it too young. Enjoy your life and experience things first because once you start with your business you will have to make some sacrifices to make your business successful."
The salon is open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information about Sun Kissed Tanning contact Jenn Blackburn at 937-320-9488.
