While running her mobile spray tanning business, Fulton native Veronica Baker, a then-Columbia resident, would travel back to her hometown for appointments.
She said she frequently listened to Fulton customers talk about how they traveled to Columbia and Jefferson City for tanning services.
So when the time came for Baker's daughter to enter school, she moved back to Fulton and decided to open her own business: Bronzed and Beautiful, which opened April 5 downtown.
Baker worked at a tanning salon throughout her time studying at the University of Missouri and continued in the industry after college, working part time for her self-owned mobile spray tanning business.
Bronzed and Beautiful offers three levels of tanning beds: bronze, silver and gold. The bronze bed offers a basic service for up to 20 minutes. Silver and gold beds use bronzing bulbs for a deeper tan for up to 15 minutes. The gold bed also includes a face tanner.
Baker also offers an organic, water-based solution spray tan. Unlike the popular oil-based spray tanners, the organic formula Baker uses, she said, won't clog pores and is so safe it can be applied to a two-year-old. Customers won't need to worry about stepping out of the salon with an orange glow, Baker said, and the solution doesn't come off in the shower.
"I didn't even look into the (oil-based spray tan) because I'm all organic," Baker said.
The business offers air brushed makeup. A manicurist is set to begin work at Bronzed and Beautiful in a couple weeks, and Baker said she hopes to eventually hire a massage therapist and esthetician for waxings.
When the time is right, Baker's ultimate goal is to expand into the neighboring building.
Bronzed and Beautiful offers Austrailian Gold, JWOWW, Designer Skin and Fiesta Sun products along with All Natural Glow for a sun-less look and coconut oil from an organic seller.
Baker said customers can see Bronzed and Beautiful as a way to support a local business, which she said are being showcased more and more often by the Brick District.
"Local businesses are going to do everything to make you happy," Baker said. "They are going to take your comments and concerns more seriously."
The business cleans beds with Australian Gold sanitizer and vacuums and steams the floors before close each day.
Bronzed and Beautiful is located at 107 W. Fifth St. in Fulton. For more information, visit the company's Facebook page by searching "Bronzed & Beautiful, Fulton, Mo." To contact Bronzed and Beautiful, call 573-489-2336.