Courtney Claghorn transformed a small startup into a successful beauty business, navigating challenges from the pandemic to achieve significant growth.

Courtney Claghorn’s journey from a college graduate to the founder of Sugared + Bronzed exemplifies the evolution of a small startup into a thriving business. In 2008, while discussing the high prices of spray tans in Los Angeles with her boyfriend, who is now her husband, Claghorn identified a gap in the market. “He was like, ‘If you feel this way, other women probably feel the same way,'” Claghorn recounted in an interview with Entrepreneur. This conversation sparked her entrepreneurial spirit and led her to create a business that would grow significantly over the years.

With an initial investment of $1,000 contributed by the couple, Claghorn transformed her Santa Monica apartment’s dining room into a makeshift spray tan studio. She began by offering spray tanning services to friends, and soon after, she developed a dedicated clientele. As the business flourished and demand grew, Claghorn made the decision to leave her full-time job in fintech to focus entirely on Sugared + Bronzed. The company opened its first brick-and-mortar store in Santa Monica, leading to an increase in customers week by week.

Founded in 2010, Sugared + Bronzed initially operated without outside investment for nearly a decade. The team set an ambitious goal of opening ten stores before seeking investors, achieving that milestone in 2019. That year, the company received a strategic investment from Main Post Partners, a private equity firm based in San Francisco. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic shortly after the investment posed a significant challenge. Claghorn noted, “[We had to grapple with] rehiring and retraining and getting back from zero to one before we could grow again.”

Despite the setbacks from the pandemic, Sugared + Bronzed demonstrated resilience and has since experienced significant growth. The company currently boasts over 35 locations and employs around 400 people. Sugared + Bronzed is projected to reach more than $50 million in revenue in 2025, having achieved 20% year-over-year growth in 2024. Their operations span several major markets, including Los Angeles, Houston, and New York City, with a new location set to open in Washington, D.C. this spring.

As warmer weather approaches, Claghorn is preparing for the seasonal demand associated with festival season, which she describes as a peak period for the business. She highlights that the company typically sees a 30-40% increase in revenue from April to June and maintains high demand through the summer. “We definitely have a bit of seasonality in our business,” Claghorn stated, pointing out the necessity of hiring and training staff ahead of busy months.

In addition to growing its service offerings, Sugared + Bronzed has started to formulate its own line of products designed to complement its sugaring and tanning services. Claghorn shared plans to release the second half of their product line soon, emphasizing their uniqueness in the market.

Reflecting on her early experiences as a young founder, Claghorn noted that her initial “ignorance is bliss” attitude was instrumental in driving the business’s early success. She advocates for aspiring entrepreneurs to take actionable steps rather than getting lost in planning. “Find a way to make that first dollar, get your first sale,” she advised, underscoring the importance of taking risks in the entrepreneurial journey.

Sugared + Bronzed continues to carve out its place in the beauty industry, building on its growth trajectory while adapting to market demands and expanding its product offerings.

Source: Noah Wire Services