Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Russell
Hi Tamara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
If you had told me two years ago that I’d be running a spray tanning business, I would have laughed. But life has a way of leading you exactly where you’re meant to be. After 20+ years in recruiting and HR, working in industries from fitness to luxury fashion to tech and aerospace, I found myself unexpectedly laid off in June 2023. It was a devastating moment as I’m a single mom, that enjoyed the work that I did in the early career space. But deep down, the universe was clearing a path for me to do something different, however I did not know what that was at the time.
I had spent years helping college students land their dream jobs and internships, and while I loved mentoring and connecting with people, something was missing. I kept saying I wanted my next role to be fun, creative, let me meet interesting people, offer flexibility to travel, and most importantly, allow me to be available and show up for my daughter. Little did I know, the universe was listening.
Over happy hour, a friend who owns a local waxing studio introduced me to the spray tanning industry, and something inside me immediately lit up. That night, I went home and dove into research. I saw there was an opportunity not just to start a business, but to change the perception that spray tanning is only for lighter skin tones and for women. During my research I had not seen many women of color openly talk about spray tanning as part of their skincare and self care routine, yet I knew firsthand how transformative a good glow could be.
As a Jamaican woman from Queens, NY, who made Austin my home 10 years ago, I love how this city has allowed me to evolve as person. I fell in love with the warm weather, the outdoorsy lifestyle, and the freedom to reinvent myself. Now, as the owner of Sunkiss’d Mobile Sunless Tanning, I specialize in custom spray tans for melanated-skin and all skin types, showing clients that sunless tanning isn’t just for special occasions—it’s a skincare essential. Since launching, I’ve partnered with local businesses like GW Lux Chiro and Black Girl Austin to educate and empower our community about the benefits of sunless tanning. I even had the opportunity to share this message in my recent KVUE ABC interview! Most recently, I conducted a live demonstration at a wellness event, Dreams Reclaimed, organized by The Moms Are Leaving which was created to support Black women on their self-care journeys.
This business is more than just beauty, it’s about confidence, self-care, and showing people, especially Black women, that they deserve to glow all year round. My journey has been anything but linear, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Every experience, every challenge, every connection has led me here to this point, to a career that lets me be my authentic self while making others feel confident and radiant. And I’m just getting started!
I’m excited to continue growing, collaborating with other local businesses, and expanding my reach! If you’re a business owner looking to partner on an event, an esthetician or wellness provider interested in offering spray tanning as a service, or someone curious about how a sunless tan can enhance your glow—let’s connect! Together, we can change the narrative around sunless tanning and help more people feel confident in their skin.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all, it has been anything but easy. Losing my job unexpectedly in June 2023 was a huge blow. My career had always provided financial stability and, in many ways, a false sense of security. I thought that as long as I worked hard and climbed the corporate ladder, I’d always have that stability. But when I was laid off, it confirmed that no job is truly secure. That moment forced me to reevaluate everything, who I was outside of my career and what I truly wanted for my future.
It also pushed me to confront things I had never fully addressed before. During this transition, I was diagnosed with ADHD, and suddenly, so many things in my life made sense, why I struggled with focus, why I felt easily overwhelmed at times, and why I always craved a career that allowed for creativity and flexibility. At the same time, the anxiety and depression from being laid off was difficult to process because of the feeling of uncertainty, and scared of the unknown, especially when you a have kid who depends on you.
Starting a business from scratch with no prior experience in the beauty industry was both exciting and terrifying. I also had to confront limiting beliefs. There were many moments of self-doubt where I questioned if I was making the right decision or if I even had what it took to succeed. On top of that, balancing parenthood and co-parenting while trying to build something new was a challenge in itself. Entrepreneurship requires so much time, energy, financial and emotional investment. Some days, the fear of failure was overwhelming. I had to learn everything, from branding and marketing to perfecting my spray tanning technique, while also proving to myself that I was capable of building something from the ground up.
While the road hasn’t been smooth, the struggles have made me stronger, more resilient, and even more passionate about my mission. And now, when I see my clients glowing with confidence, I know I am on the right and that I more than capable of doing new things. Most importantly, I’m building a life that aligns with who I truly am from the ground up, inside and out, and that, to me, is success.
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?
I’m the proud owner of Sunkiss’d Mobile Sunless Tanning, where I specialize in custom spray tans for melanated skin and all skin types. My mission is to redefine sunless tanning by showing clients that it’s not just for special occasions—it’s a skincare essential. A great tan can enhance your natural glow, even out skin tone, minimize the appearance of scars, and boost confidence.
What sets Sunkiss’d apart is my commitment to inclusivity, education, and empowerment. Many people, especially in Black and Brown communities, don’t realize that spray tanning is for them. I’m here to change that narrative. I use high-quality solutions that I custom-blend for each client to ensure a natural, radiant look that’s never orange or ashy.
And let’s be real honest, this is for men too! Spray tanning isn’t just about beauty; it’s about skincare and self-care. Men can benefit just as much, whether they’re looking for an even skin tone, a subtle, natural glow, or a boost in confidence before a big event.
Beyond just tanning, I’m holding space for Black women to shine, to feel seen, and to let their flawless skin match their attitude. My goal is to make every client feel confident and empowered in their skin, whether they’re preparing for a big event or simply embracing everyday luxury.
I’m most proud of how my brand is helping to shift perceptions around sunless tanning and self-care. I’ve had the opportunity to share this message featured on KVUE ABC. I also host live demonstrations and educational sessions to help people understand the benefits of a sunless tan.
For anyone curious about sunless tanning, whether you’re a beauty enthusiast, a wellness professional, a business looking to collaborate, or a man who’s never considered a tan before—I’d love to connect. Let’s glow together!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
You are exactly where you need to be, no matter how difficult the struggle feels right now. I’ve learned entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a business, it’s a journey of self-discovery, deep reflection, and personal growth. I’m learning that success isn’t just about strategy and execution; it’s about managing your emotional and mental health, trusting your intuition, and have a strong sense of self confidence even when things feel uncertain.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of who you surround yourself with. You need to be intentional about keeping people in your circle who support your vision, encourage your growth, and understand the mindset it takes to build something from the ground up. Let go of those who question your decisions, doubt your abilities, or judge you. Pay attention to people who hint at jealousy, energy like that will only hold you back.
Trust yourself. Your gut will guide you, but you have to be willing to keep your heart and mind open receive the messages you need to hear, which will come in different forms. There will be days filled with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, disappointments and setbacks, lack of movement but those moments are part of the process. This journey will teach you lessons about resilience, patience, and perseverance.
Most importantly, get out of your comfort zone, keep going and trust your intuition. There will never be a perfect time to start, so just start, you will never know if you don’t try. Know that you won’t have all the answers. But as long as you’re committed, remember your why, stay open to learning, and willingness to evolve, you’ll get exactly where you’re meant to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sunkissd.us
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunkissdmobilesunlesstanning/
- Other: https://sunkissdusa.glossgenius.com/
Image Credits
Sunkissd Mobile Sunless Tanning
Danny Jefferson: @independnt.frames
