Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlyn Pickett.
Kaitlyn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started Sun Ink’d Tanning in September of 2021 with a clear intention: to create a space for people who never quite fit into the polished, cookie-cutter version of beauty. From the beginning, I knew I didn’t want to be just another spray tan artist following trends or playing it safe. I wanted to build something different—something for the misfits, the rule-breakers, and the individuals who aren’t afraid to show up exactly as they are.
Sun Ink’d was built on the belief that no two bodies, skin tones, or personalities are the same, so why should their tans be? My work is rooted in customization, inclusivity, and real understanding of skin, undertones, and individuality. I don’t just tan bodies—I collaborate with the person standing in front of me to create results that feel authentic to them.
I’m drawn to people who live unapologetically and refuse to dim themselves to fit someone else’s standard. Those are my people. Sun Ink’d Tanning exists for the bold, the creative, the misunderstood, and the beautifully unconventional. It’s more than a service—it’s a statement. And I’m just getting started.
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?
It has not been an easy journey. In 2023 actually, I went through a brutal divorce and went without stability for about a year and a half. This event lead to me losing my home, which meant I lost my in-home spray tanning room. I didn’t have a location to spray tan individuals who wanted some place to be properly pampered, so I closed up shop for a little over a year. I began retaking clients in late 2024, when I eventually got back on my feet and had a proper support within my friends and family.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Sun Ink’d Tanning, LLC?
I built my business at the intersection of artistry, science, and rebellion. I’m a master spray tan artist and the founder of a brand that refuses to treat sunless tanning as one-size-fits-all. Every tan I do is intentional, customized, and rooted in real color theory—not trends, shortcuts, or outdated industry standards. I’m certified in body contouring and in spraying people of color, which has shaped the way I approach every client who steps in front of me. Understanding undertones, depth, and skin behavior across all complexions isn’t optional to me—it’s foundational. My work is about enhancing the body, not masking it, and creating results that feel elevated, inclusive, and unapologetically personal.
The spray tan industry is saturated, but it’s also lacking—especially when it comes to education, inclusivity, and innovation. That gap is what pushed me to start building my own line of spray tan solutions and retail products from scratch, not private labeled. I want formulas and products that actually reflect the way artists work in real life and the diversity of the clients we serve. I don’t believe in playing it safe, blending in, or following rules that no longer make sense. My brand is about precision, confidence, and challenging the idea that sunless tanning has to fit into one aesthetic, one shade range, or one way of doing business. I’m not just creating tans—I’m creating a new standard. I do my best to make spray tanning comfortable and affordable – I’m truly not in this for the money and that reflects in the deals I make every month to make it more convenient for clients.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The best way to work with and support me is by visiting my website—everything lives there, from booking and memberships to education on my services. Leaving honest reviews and sharing your experience through word of mouth makes a bigger impact than people realize and is one of the most powerful ways to support a small business like mine.
I’m also always open to collaborations with other small businesses. I genuinely want to see others grow in their field, and I believe there’s room for all of us to succeed without competing in unhealthy ways. Whether it’s creative projects, events, or cross-promotion, I’m passionate about building community, not just a brand.
Pricing:
- $55 for a basic spray tan
- $65 for a mobile spray tan (spraying a client in his or her home)
- $120 for a bridal package that includes three spray tans
- $175 for a year round, unlimited spray tan package
Contact Info:
- Website: https://suninkdtan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suninkd.tanning/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561111920627
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@suninkdtanning
