Tara Sanders was working a desk job that left her feeling completely unfulfilled. Every day seemed to slither by without any new possibilities She was desperate for something different in her life and yearned for a career — she wanted more than a nine-to-five desk job. Her younger sister Samantha was working for a local tanning salon and shared with her family that the owner was looking to sell the business.

Eager for a chance to do something new and exciting, Tara quit her job and took the biggest risk of her life. Without any knowledge of the indoor tanning industry, Tara, with the financial assistance of her parents, bought the salon and transformed it into Touchable Tan. At the young age of 22, Tara embarked on a journey that would change her entire life.

“I went into the business blind and fell in love with everything about it. I went to the Smart Tan Convention in Nashville right after I bought the salon in 2012, because the owner said I had to go if I wanted to learn about the industry. Between the connections I made and the seminars I attended, I learned so much from my time in Nashville; it showed me I could go anywhere I want in this business depending on how much I want it — it was up to me,”

Four years later, Sanders has transformed her business into a full-blown tanning experience. With its unique architecture and Southern charm, Touchable Tan is the go-to tanning salon for the community of Denham Springs, Louisiana.

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