STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 What began as a personal interest in spray tanning has grown into a full-time career for Dominique Martinelli, a Staten Island entrepreneur who has built a beauty business rooted in confidence, skin health and personalized care.<\/p>\n
Martinelli launched her business at age 20 while still in college, initially as a way to explore something she enjoyed doing and to gain experience. <\/p>\n
With the support of friends who became her first clients, the small venture steadily grew into a thriving brand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was simply someone who loved getting spray tans. I never imagined it would turn into my one career,\u201d Martinelli said.<\/p>\n
Over eight years, she has developed her craft and expanded her services beyond spray tanning into a broader focus on skincare and esthetics.<\/p>\n
Her work is driven by a desire to help clients feel confident, with an approach that blends relaxation with results. <\/p>\n
Martinelli developed treatments designed to be accessible and effective, particularly for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin \u2014 an area that deepened her commitment to skin health.<\/p>\n
That focus has shaped her philosophy: skincare should not feel intimidating but be both approachable and transformative.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, it\u2019s not just about a relaxing facial \u2014 it\u2019s about helping heal skin and giving clients confidence in their own complexion,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
![\"(Courtesy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PCAV65IIJJGO7BD2SQ47WNN6PI.jpeg\")
Dominique Martinelli launched her business at age 20 while still in college, initially as a way to explore something she enjoyed and gain experience. Today, it has expanded into a growing brand. (Courtesy of @youglowgirl)(Courtesy of Francesca Troia)<\/p>\n
Her decision to fully pursue the business required stepping away from a more traditional path, a move she said was not always immediately understood.<\/p>\n
Martinelli said she faced mixed reactions when she chose to leave college and shift her career focus, but over time she proved to herself and others that she had made the right decision. <\/p>\n
Challenges of entrepreneurship<\/p>\n
While confident in her path, she acknowledged that entrepreneurship comes with ongoing challenges and a high level of personal responsibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a small business owner…the responsibility for success is mine alone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
At the core of her business is a personalized approach that emphasizes individual needs and goals. Each service \u2014 from customized spray tans to results-driven facials \u2014 is tailored to the client, with a focus on long-term outcomes and building lasting relationships rather than one-time appointments.<\/p>\n
![\"(Courtesy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/KXH6P5L6MJDA5IESLYINHJWPME.jpeg\")
The well-appointed space of @beautybybolusi
\n(Courtesy of Francesca Troia)(Courtesy of Francesca Troia)<\/p>\n
Her studio has also evolved into a collaborative space, bringing together a team of beauty professionals. In addition to Martinelli, the business includes another spray-tan artist.<\/p>\n
Martinelli said she takes particular pride in fostering a space that supports other women in their work, creating an environment that encourages both professional growth and collaboration.<\/p>\n
![\"(Courtesy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/O23MNPDK35H5LKCSHUM475UXKM.jpeg\")
A peak into the spray tan studio. (Courtesy of Francesca Troia)(Courtesy of Francesca Troia)Welcoming atmosphere<\/p>\n
Creating a welcoming atmosphere is another priority. Drawing on her own experiences as a client, she has designed her studio to feel both elevated and comfortable, with thoughtful details that enhance the overall experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always ask myself: If I were booking, how would I want to feel from the moment I walk in to the moment I leave?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
From small touches, like refreshments to a curated retail selection that allows clients to maintain their skincare routines at home, Martinelli aims to extend the experience beyond the appointment itself.<\/p>\n
Building trust with clients<\/p>\n
For her, one of the most rewarding aspects of the business has been building trust with clients, particularly through referrals and repeat visits.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen someone comes in through a referral and already feels confident in the experience they\u2019re about to receive, it means everything to me. The most rewarding part has been building a strong sense of trust within my client base,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also love to see my work credited on social media by other beauty professionals. For instance, if I spray tan someone for a special occasion or prep their skin for a wedding, it\u2019s extremely reassuring to see the full look come to life,\u201d Martinelli added.<\/p>\n
She also finds fulfillment in helping clients prepare for important milestones, including weddings and special events, where her work becomes part of meaningful life moments.<\/p>\n
![\"(Courtesy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/66TPFX5SABFCNI36HFVF5KZD5I.jpeg\")
Pictured is the nail station Polished & Pretty.
\n(Courtesy of @polished&pretty)(Courtesy of Francesca Troia)Advice for budding entrepreneurs<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Martinelli encourages other young women interested in the beauty industry to pursue their goals with persistence and confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re truly passionate about what you do, you won\u2019t fail,\u201d she said. \u201cYou have to believe in your vision and trust the process. <\/p>\n
In the beginning, it takes a lot of dedication \u2014 you\u2019ll work unconventional hours, accommodate clients\u2019 schedules, and really go the extra mile, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut that consistency and commitment will pay off. Over time, you\u2019ll build a loyal clientele, gain confidence in your work, and create a schedule that works for you,\u201d said Martinelli. \u201cSuccess in this industry comes down to mindset, work ethic, and staying true to your purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n
Skindividuality by Theresheglowsnyc is located in Tottenville, at 217 Main Street. To make an appointment, call (862) 401-4619.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 What began as a personal interest in spray tanning has grown into a full-time…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":215436,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[9,24,63,134,136,135],"class_list":["post-215435","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-staten-island","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc","tag-staten-island","tag-staten-island-headlines","tag-staten-island-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215435","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=215435"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215435\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/215436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=215435"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=215435"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=215435"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}