Founder: Lyvonn Reese
Featured Business: Hot Spot Tanning

There are tanning salons all over; it’s not uncommon to find tanning beds in fitness centers, apartment complexes, stores and shopping centers.

But what is uncommon, aside from operating not just one, but multiple successful stores over 15 years, is to build a brand that is among the most well-known in Murfreesboro and includes nine stores in Middle Tennessee.

Hot Spot Tanning has accomplished just that, with five locations in Murfreesboro, two in Smyrna, one in Brentwood and one on West End in Nashville, and business owner Lyvonn Reese has done so with an emphasis on moderation and education, not burning and over-exposure.

Vitamin D is important in boosting the immune system, as well as respiratory, cardiovascular and brain health, according to information from the Vitamin D Council (vitamindcouncil.org), and Reese wants to promote this health element of tanning.

Hot Spot’s first store opened on Church Street in 1999, before a “hot spot” had anything to do with wireless Internet access.

Since then, the business has grown to employ as many as 75 workers during its busy season, and offers such unique products and services as non-UV, red-light therapy beds, spray-tan booths and customized airbrushes and seven levels of tanning, including building and bronzing beds. It is also the only salon in the area to offer the Fit Body Wrap, an infrared body wrap system useful for weight loss, pain relief, detoxification and skin rejuvenation.

The Hot Spot management team

Murfreesboro Pulse: Tell us how you got into the tanning industry and how you came to open Hot Spot Tanning.
Reese: I’ve always had an overwhelming passion for my community and learning about and living a healthy lifestyle. Growing up as a lover of the sun and tanning, I could not find a tanning salon that could educate me about tanning in moderation.

I opened Hot Spot Tanning after years of research on the importance of vitamin D to our overall health, and the impact UV light can have in this process. Most importantly, I wanted to offer the community a place to learn about tanning in moderation. I wanted to empower an educated staff to teach our clients and the community how to avoid overexposure and boost vitamin D levels.

I also have a strong passion for educating young people, helping them understand and embrace the importance of hard work and dedication. This is probably the most important and exciting aspect of my job, one that I take very seriously. I believe Hot Spot has served as the springboard for many amazing young women.

Are there people or business owners that serve as an inspiration to you?
I’ve had several inspirational figures in my life. A former employer, the owner of New Orleans Manor, instilled in me the value of hard work and customer service. She loved every one of her employees, and taught each one of them the importance of customer service. This is something I try to teach each one of my employees, and I use her as my inspiration.

My husband has also been a huge inspiration and support for me. He owns a business in an industry that was failing, but he managed to make it work and succeed.

I’ve also learned a lot through the years by listening to and reading works from author and motivational speaker, John Maxwell. I am currently taking a course to better learn how to motivate and lead young people.

What are the challenges of working in the tanning industry? How do you overcome these?
As with many industries, we face the stigma of being a tanning salon. It’s always a battle. However, we have a well-educated staff that stresses to each client the importance of moderation and avoiding overexposure. Education is extremely important.

We also offer non-UV services for clients who may not want to use a tanning bed. We have a successful and superior spray-tan business, with both individual spray booths and customized airbrush technicians, as well as mobile spray tan.

We also have a growing red-light therapy business, as well as offering the Fit Body Wrap at our Almaville location.

We have something for everyone—every age group and every interest.

What is your advice for local business owners?
This is my home, and I am invested in helping this community. My advice to local business owners is to get involved and stay active in your community. Constantly listen to what the community wants, what your customers need and any feedback, good or bad. If you are always thinking about the customer, running a business is relatively easy.

What is your favorite inspirational quote or thought, something that keeps you going on the hard or busy days?
If I’m having a tough day, I turn to the Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity 
to accept the things I cannot change; 
courage to change the things I can;
 and wisdom to know the difference.

~~~
For more information on Hot Spot Tanning, its tanning packages and locations, visit hotspottanning.com.

Hot Spot locations include:

Murfreesboro
710 Memorial Blvd.
225 N. Rutherford Blvd.
4183 Franklin Road
3040 S. Church St.
3325 Memorial Blvd.

Smyrna
1654 Lee Victory Pkwy.
307 Sam Ridley Pkwy. W.

Brentwood
6688 Nolensville Pike

Nashville
2817 West End Ave.