Meet Amy Russell

We recently connected with Amy Russell and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

For a large portion of my life, I was very shy. I rarely shared my opinions or disagreed with anyone. I made myself very small and would do anything not to rock the boat. I was so fearful of upsetting or offending someone. I had very little self-worth and shrunk, hoping no one would notice.

Fast forward many years later, I let the pendulum swing in the complete opposite direction. I shared my opinion with anyone who would listen, no matter how extreme it was. I was looking for external approval but was not open to feedback or other opinions. I lacked true self-esteem and overcompensated with a false sense of confidence. I felt tired at the end of each day because I was acting. I was more depressed and alone than I’d ever been, though you’d never guess that based on my social media accounts.

Now, I would consider myself in a well-balanced place and both sides of the coin (and therapy!) helped me get here. I truly feel confident – in my decisions, the way I carry myself, and the path I’m on. I’m open to hearing other opinions but don’t let them dictate every choice I make. I learned that there is power in the quiet moments and that I have to be my own best friend. I learned to surround myself with people that challenge and support me. I learned to politely cut the relationships out of my life that were no longer serving either of us. I let myself make mistakes without allowing guilt to take over. I speak kinder to myself – like I would a friend.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

After many years of working in the mental health and veterinary fields, I decided I might as well add “business owner” to my resume.

In 2024, I opened Beettan of Coastal Georgia, a mobile spray tan service serving Pooler, Georgia and surrounding areas. The tanning solution is derived from the white sugar beet, not a red beet, as you might think. It does not dye your skin but rather encourages the top layer of your skin to develop melanoidins, which are brown (not orange!) in color. Science is amazing!

A question I frequently get is, “how does a mobile spray tan work?” I bring all the necessary equipment to clients’ homes, hotels, or Airbnbs. There is no mess and the solution will not stain sheets or clothes. It takes about 15-20 minutes per client. I also do parties for groups that want to enjoy some wine and get their spray tans with their pals. In addition, I also have at-home tanning products available for purchase on my website.

My favorite part of my business is making people feel their very best, whether it be for a special event or just day-to-day life. I strive to make every client feel comfortable in their time with me, as I recognize how vulnerable it can feel to be naked in front of a stranger. I’ve been told time and time again how clients never feel judged in my spray tan tent, and that is the highest compliment to me.

Another part I love about my business is the connections I’ve made with other people in the community. We have some exciting collaborations on the horizon and I highly encourage you to follow along on Instagram for the most up-to-date information!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Taking care of my mental health! I realized that I couldn’t sail across the ocean in a sinking ship. As my mental health improved, everything else got easier and even the biggest barriers didn’t seem so scary. I got on medication. I went to therapy. I drank less frequently. I exercised for health, not for looks. I meditated. Cliche? Yes. Effective? Also, yes.

2. I stopped comparing my path to other peoples’. I am 33 years old and if you would’ve told me in my early twenties that I would be spray tanning and working in boutiques for a living at this age, I would have laughed. I had every intention of being a therapist. For some reason that seemed more what accomplished adults do. I can say that I am truly happier and more fulfilled in this part of my life than I’ve ever been. It is your life and the only person who has to be okay with your decisions is you. Don’t forget that.

3. Get a day planner! I’ve been told that if you physically write things down, you’re more likely to follow through with them. Bring it with you everywhere and make sure you think it’s fun to look at. Stickers help.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

A challenge that I”m currently facing is getting my name into the community. I struggle to promote myself and value my work but I’m getting better at it. I’m remembering that every single person’s work has value and that there is something unique that we all bring to the table. There is something that sets me apart from other spray tan artists (and vice versa!). There are enough clients to go around and finding your people is the key.

I practice gratitude for every interaction I have in relation to my business. Whether it be someone sharing a post I’ve made on social media or telling a friend about my services. Each of these moments help me reach my goals. Progress is never linear and it often takes time to see the results of a certain action. Trust the process and enjoy the journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beettan.com/pooler/
• Instagram: beettan_coastalga
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Beettan-of-Coastal-Georgia/61555254555779/

Image Credits

Mary Ruth