Humble Beginnings

Written by Regan Dickerson, Co-Founder

It was 2019 when the dream was born. Rachel approached me with the idea to start a spray tan business. There were several factors that appealed to me. One, the thought of embarking on a new adventure with the person I trusted the most. Two, creating a business that was by women and for women. And three, building something that would someday serve our children and the next generations of our family.

But the true core and identity of Honey was born on I-40, right before the Somerville exit, to be exact. 

Rachel sent me a list of names for our bouncing baby business. Cutesy names like “Lola” and “Golden” were tossed around. But for some reason, Honey was what we kept coming back to. I was driving home after dropping the kids I nannied off for school. 

On the other side of our beloved city was Rachel, driving downtown to her corporate job. The air was bitterly cold as the warmth of the new year, 2019 hadn’t quite sprung yet. She had been working her job as a corporate lender for about six years at the time. It had served her well, given her a means to provide for herself and for her family, but she was still hungry. Not for excess or for needless luxury, but for the ability to create something meaningful for herself and for the people she loved. Yes, it would be a challenge but Rachel was never one to shrink from that before – and she certainly wouldn’t start now. But, she did not jump into something head first in murky water, the idea had to be purified. The vision had to be clear. She would not blindly lead anyone, much less her baby sister, into needless risk. 

I remember Rachel’s voice was pouring through the speakers of my Bluetooth car phone. And we were going back and forth about the merits and cons of naming a spray tan business after honey — a thick and sticky substance. 

“What would the tag line be?” I remember Rachel asking me. To this day, I wonder if the question was asked in earnest or if it was a challenge. Her genius way of holding an idea to the fire to refine it, to make it pure. 

Either way, it worked.

The words, “Be sweet to yourself!” erupted from my mouth like if they remained in my head any longer, my whole car would combust on the interstate. 

That cold, early morning, we decided that Honey would not be yet another business telling women what they ought to think, do, or feel about themselves or how they should preside in their own skin. That the pursuit of something as simple and seemingly inconsequential as a spray tan should be a treat to oneself, a tool to aid in the endless pursuit of self-confidence. Furthermore, we made it a part of our mission to provide a safe space for every woman of every shape, size, age, or color. 

And admittedly, the whole thing sounds a bit silly. How much difference can something as small as a spray tan make? And as I reflect back on the past seven years, I must say to those doubters —

You would be surprised. 

I’ve talked to women throughout many stages of life. From dance competitions, homecomings, and proms. To graduations, rush weeks, and job interviews. Then to engagement photos, bachelorettes, and weddings. Some clients I’ve sprayed every week of their pregnancy, watching the little life they carried grow with the changing seasons. We’ve sprayed clients for funerals and celebrations of cancer remission. And if I’ve learned one thing, it’s this:

A spray tan usually isn’t just a spray tan. 

It’s a celebration, a preparation, a pick-me-up from a hard week — it’s a little piece of joy for our clients to help them brave whatever is going on in their lives. 

This sentiment is what we wanted to pour into every aspect of our business. Whether it’s a facial, a wax, a brow lamination — or, of course, a spray tan — we wanted Honey to be that little taste of sweetness to make our clients’ loads a little lighter. 

So, if you haven’t heard it yet or just need a little encouragement — life is already a challenge. There’s no shame in finding ways to show yourself some love. 

Be sweet to yourself.