When she opened T-N-T Tans in January, Tamara Emory set out to offer personal service at prices no other salon could match.
Emory had been tanning at a salon in the same location for some time when the store closed, prompting her to take a chance and become a business owner herself.
“I’ve always tanned,” she said.  “My mom passed away and it seemed like a way to pass the time.”
But trying to work other full time jobs and manage the business began to overwhelm her until she met Judy Evans, who stopped in to use a friend’s minutes and hit it off with Emory.  They soon decided to go in business together.
“I enjoy meeting the people and I like to challenge myself,” Evans said.
That challenge was to create a business model that could compete against the larger, established salons.  To do that, they focus on offering a down-to-earth, comfortable experience with more manageable prices.
“We’re more about the people,” Evans said.
Their biggest draw is not forcing customers to sign contracts or pay membership fees; instead, people are free to purchase single sessions or packages whenever they feel like it and tan on their schedule.  For less than $40, customers can tan for a month with unlimited sessions.
With discounts for military personnel, teachers, police, EMTs, fire personnel and college students, they have built a loyal customer base by not doing what larger salons would.
“It’s the same with a lot of fitness centers,” Evans said.  “They take your money but you don’t get the product.”
The salon also offers a full range of lotions at lower prices and even gives new customers a free first visit.  
T-N-T Tans is located at 3105 Alcoa Highway.  They can be reached at 577-1277 or on their Facebook page.

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