Today we’d like to introduce you to Randi Milroy.
Hi Randi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been in the tanning industry since 2003, and what started as a job quickly turned into a career that I genuinely love. Over the years, I worked in everything from corporate tanning to education and training, helping other professionals grow while continuing to learn myself.
After relocating back to North Carolina in 2016, I founded Oak City Sunless with a simple vision: make professional spray tanning more convenient, personalized, and confidence-boosting. Instead of asking clients to fit appointments into their busy lives, we bring the experience to them. Today, Oak City Sunless has grown into the largest mobile sunless tanning company in the US, serving hundreds of clients each week with a team of talented technicians.
Along the way, I discovered that my passion extends beyond spray tanning itself. I love building businesses, developing people, and raising the standard of professionalism within the beauty industry. That has led to opportunities to train technicians, speak at industry conferences, and mentor other business owners who are looking to grow their own companies under my partner brand, Sunless CEO.
Looking back, my journey has never really been about spray tans—it’s been about helping people feel confident, creating opportunities for others, and proving that with the right vision, a service-based business can be built around exceptional client experiences. I’m incredibly grateful for where the journey has taken me, and I’m even more excited about what’s next.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not. Like most entrepreneurs, I’ve had plenty of moments where I questioned whether I was doing the right thing.
One of the biggest challenges was building a business that people didn’t always realize they needed. Mobile spray tanning wasn’t a common concept for many clients, so there was a lot of education involved. I had to show people that professional sunless tanning could be convenient, customized, and worth investing in.
Growing from a one-person operation to managing a team brought a completely different set of challenges. Hiring, training, creating systems, maintaining consistency, and learning to let go of control were all things I had to develop over time. No one really prepares you for the transition from being the technician to being the leader.
Like many small business owners, I’ve also experienced the ups and downs of seasonality. The beauty industry can be unpredictable, so I’ve learned the importance of planning ahead, diversifying revenue, and making decisions with the long game in mind instead of reacting to short-term challenges.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that every obstacle teaches you something. Looking back, the difficult seasons are what shaped both me and the business into what they are today. They’ve made me a better leader, a better business owner, and someone who isn’t afraid to adapt when things don’t go according to plan.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I own Oak City Sunless, a mobile spray tanning company based in Raleigh, North Carolina. We specialize in bringing custom, professional spray tanning directly to our clients’ homes, creating a personalized experience that’s convenient, private, and completely tailored to each individual’s skin tone and goals.
What sets us apart is that we don’t believe spray tanning is a one-size-fits-all service. Every tan is customized, every appointment is educational, and every client is treated like they’re our only client. We’ve built our reputation on consistency, professionalism, and creating natural-looking results that help people feel confident in their own skin.
While I’m incredibly proud of the business we’ve built, I’m even more proud of the team behind it. Watching Oak City Sunless grow from a one-person operation into one of the largest mobile sunless tanning companies in the region has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Seeing the technicians I’ve trained build confidence, develop their skills, and create meaningful relationships with clients is something I never take for granted.
Beyond serving clients, I’m passionate about elevating the sunless tanning industry as a whole. I train professionals, speak at industry conferences, and mentor other business owners because I believe there’s room for all of us to raise the standard. For me, success isn’t just measured by business growth—it’s measured by the impact you have on the people around you.
At the end of the day, what I’m most proud of is the trust we’ve earned. Our clients invite us into their homes during some of life’s biggest moments—weddings, vacations, birthdays, competitions, and celebrations. Being a small part of those milestones is something I consider an incredible privilege, and it’s what continues to inspire me every day.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
One of the things I love most about Raleigh is its sense of opportunity. It’s a city that’s growing quickly, but it still feels welcoming and community-oriented. People genuinely want to support local businesses, and I’ve been fortunate to build incredible relationships with clients, fellow entrepreneurs, and other small business owners. There’s a collaborative spirit here that makes it an exciting place to grow a business.
I also appreciate how active the city is. Whether it’s local events, festivals, sporting events, or simply people enjoying the outdoors, there’s always something happening. It creates a community where people value experiences, wellness, and supporting one another.
If I had to pick something I’d change, it would probably be the traffic. As someone who operates a mobile business, I experience Raleigh from behind the wheel every day, so I know every shortcut, construction zone, and rush-hour bottleneck. It’s a small price to pay for living in a city that’s growing as quickly as Raleigh, but I certainly wouldn’t mind if Capital Boulevard flowed a little faster.
Overall, I feel incredibly fortunate to call Raleigh home. It’s a city that has given me the opportunity to build a business, create lasting friendships, and become part of a community that truly values local entrepreneurs.
Pricing:
- Single Sessions $75
- 5 Sessions $325
- Sunless Society Membership $45/month
- Members get 50% off all sessions
- plus discounts on products & more!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oakcitysunless.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakcitysunless/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oakcitysunless
