Written By: Megan Bruneau
When Courtney Claghorn spent $500 to fix her frustration with bad spray tans, she wasn’t setting out to build a multimillion-dollar company. She just wanted a tan that looked natural, felt clean, and didn’t come with the usual streaks, smell, or stress. But as Forbes recently highlighted, that small investment and clear point of view sparked what would become SUGARED + BRONZED — a brand now generating $50 million annually and redefining how people think about professional tanning and hair removal.
In 2010, after spending hundreds of dollars on disappointing spray tans, she decided to take matters into her own hands. With $500 of savings, she bought a spray-tanning machine, practiced on friends in her Santa Monica apartment, and quickly realized she wasn’t the only one looking for a better experience. Word spread fast, and what began as a side project quickly evolved into a growing business.
As Forbes notes, Claghorn’s success came from rethinking every part of the client experience. Instead of dark, rushed booths and unpredictable results, she created something clean, consistent, and personalized. From her signature sugar-based hair removal service to the natural, customizable bronze S+B is known for today, every detail was designed with comfort and confidence in mind.
Fifteen years later, that same approach has fueled national expansion. With more than 40 locations across the U.S., SUGARED + BRONZED has become the leader in sugaring and sunless tanning — offering a luxury experience that’s approachable, efficient, and results-driven. The brand’s steady growth, as Forbes points out, stems from its ability to stay true to its core mission while continuing to scale thoughtfully.
“We started by solving one problem, but we’ve never stopped refining,” Claghorn shared. That philosophy is visible in every aspect of the business, from the design of its studios to its proprietary formulas. The brand’s consistency has earned it a loyal following and made it a staple in the modern self-care routine.
What began as a $500 experiment is now a category-defining company built on a simple belief: beauty should feel luxurious, yet affordable.
