Born and raised in California, Angela Beagle sought out sunshine as a vital part of her childhood. Tagging along with her older sister, she eagerly volunteered to clean up the beach to enjoy a few coveted hours of free paddleboard use. Later, she’s play softball and relax around the lake, enjoying the look of her sun-kissed skin.

When her sister went on to open her own tanning salon in the ’80s, Angela initially scoffed in disbelief that anyone would pay to tan indoors in their warm climate.

“I ate those words,” says Angela.

She had worked with her father in the cherry business from a very young age, then went through a few temporary jobs everything from a hot dog stand to a sportswear company. When her sister finally suggested she open a tanning salon of her own, Angela didn’t seem very committed to the idea, but some outside perspective would soon change her mind.

When her sister was back in town, Angela went to a local beauty salon to purchase her some tanning sessions and try the service out for herself. With only one bed, it was almost impossible to get an appointment, but she managed to visit enough to get a tan just in time for her upcoming vacation. But when Angela returned, the bed was booked solid for one month.

With what savings she had, she decided she would buy a tanning bed of her own, but when she finally got in contact with a tanning bed distributor in the area, he convinced her to buy two beds and go into business instead. With that, HavATan was born in Lodi, Calif. in April of 1987.

Click here to read the entire article in the latest issue of Smart Tan Magazine online.