Entrepreneur builds sunless-tanning brand inspired by sister’s skin cancer scare
By Frank Sulkowski
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SAVANNAH, Georgia (WJCL) — A Savannah entrepreneur turned a personal mission to help her sister into Beettan, a growing sunless-tanning brand and business network.
For Michelle Peth, Beettan began as a way to support her redheaded sister, who faced serious skin cancer scares. Peth wanted to create an alternative to sun tanning that could deliver a natural-looking bronze without UV exposure.
“I first learned how to spray tan for her. I, you know, that was super scary to see your younger sister, you know, getting places cut off of her that were pre-cancerous, cancerous. So I learned how to spray tan to make her feel good. And then I got really good at it,” Peth said.
In 2014, Peth began working with a chemist to refine a sunless-tanning formula. Beettan, headquartered in Savannah, now uses naturally derived DHA beet extract in plant-based formulas designed to work with the amino acids in the skin’s outer layers. The goal is a customizable, streak-free finish without the orange undertones or strong odor often associated with traditional self-tanners.
“We’ve really just simplified the ingredients, the process to make it easier for the sprayer but also for the client,” Peth said.
Peth started by spraying clients herself while raising her son and working to support her family. Unable to secure a bank loan, she earned her real-estate license and reinvested her earnings into the tanning business. What began as a side hustle grew into a company selling products directly to consumers and wholesale to tanning professionals.
But Beettan is about more than just tanning solutions. Peth also wanted to provide a path to entrepreneurship. The company now offers sunless-tanning certification and business coaching to help people launch independent spray-tanning businesses.
“I went from bartender to business owner. So whenever I’m coaching these young spray tanners or young and business spray tanners, and they are discouraged or scared, you know, I let them know. I went from bartender to business owner. If I can do it, you can do it,” Peth said.
Peth has trained more than 500 women, empowering each one tan at a time.
“For me, every bottle, every tan represents a journey that began with family, determination and a desire to help—and became a way for other women to pursue financial independence,” Peth said.
“I like to see the light in their eyes when this business starts helping them financially, at freeing up time for their families. It’s bringing them joy, income. But also it’s, it’s a fun job. It truly is,” she said.
Beettan offers at-home products, professional solutions, certification, and business coaching, all from its Savannah headquarters.
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