The Inspiration
WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
Island Vibes is about community, a relatable authentic brand that is in favour of inclusivity and diversity. We create a range of tan & lifestyle products for real, every day people to feel like they are on vacation, all year round.
BREAKING DOWN BEAUTY BARRIERS
Our founders Clientele has always been extremely diverse so should the models be for her brand. This would mean still using youthful models, but also mixing in mature models, various sizes, shapes, men, women, people of different cultural backgrounds and varying skin tones, and people living with disabilities so you can truly see how the products work on different people with varying skin types and lifestyles. Clients had previously told Amy they hadn't had a tan before as they thought tanning was just for “young” people, a common misconception.
THAT HOLIDAY FEELING
Inspired by our Founders LOVE of a tropical holiday and a passion to bring that holiday feeling to everyone all year round. Our minds wander and our hearts are full when we are on holidays. The feeling of the warm sun on our skin, breathes life back into us when we step away from the busy day to day world. Our founder felt the only down time she ever got was when on a holiday, so she wanted to create that relaxed holiday feeling, every day so we can all escape the stresses of our daily lives and feel good living the Vacay Vibes, 365.
Our Founder's Story
WHEN IT STARTED
Amy, a nationally recognized celebriry Tan artist, started her career back in 2005, where she begun tanning alongside her freelance makeup artistry business as she felt the two went hand in hand.
HER WHY
Amy had a passion for tanning from her late teens after watching her family suffer from Skin cancers including surviving Melanoma and savage scars and large operations from fast growing BCCs and SCCs after her parents had grown up on the shores of Bondi Beach with no knowledge of sun safety.
THE JOURNEY TO GET HERE
Amy’s Career in Tanning and beauty started as a freelance mobile artist, then working for 7 years from her home studio (garage) and then the past 10 years has been the contracted Tan artist for Nine Network Sydney, doing a long list of celebrity’s and being responsible for the red carpet glow and tans on many TV shows and news/media events. Amy went on to open Southern Sydney’s largest Hair and Beauty Hub in 2015 where her passion for beauty expanded and 9 years on in 2024 with over 10 staff and 14,000 clients on her database, she sold her salon to pursue Island Vibes Full time.
IDEA TO LAUNCH
The creation of Island Vibes came to light at the end of 2021 when Amy was home with her toddler and pregnant with her second and felt it was time to create a tan that looked and felt like a real tan. She worked with pharmacists to create the perfect glow and after 2 years in production, trialing and testing, she launched IV to the world in Feb 2024.
A Word From Our Founder
“More than just another tan brand, I want to create an inclusive and diverse lifestyle brand, that is represented by real people, that is relatable and authentic. A brand with all the elements to create that vacation feel, every day, all year round. Easily accessible and educational, for our community to understand all aspects of our products and have them feeling like their best self. When we look good, we feel good, and when we feel good, our whole vibe changes. It lifts our vibration and we live a more positive life”
Our Core Values
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DIVERSITY & INCLUSIVITY
Continuously working to be supportive and accepting of different groups of individuals, including people of different races, cultures, ages, religions, abilities, genders and sexual orientations. We believe in an equal space for all to be seen and heard and to have that same feeling of ‘belonging”.
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SWEEP THE SHED
No self entitlement. No Individual is bigger than the team. Don't expect things to be done for you, get in and get your hands dirty. Humility is core to our culture. Success will come when we have our feet planted firmly on the ground.
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GRATITUDE IS THE SPICE OF LIFE
Finding things to be grateful for in our daily lives within the workspace and in our personal lives. Not just going through the motions of gratefulness but truly finding meaning and purpose behind the things we are actually thankful for. The more gratitude there is, the better things are. Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.
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ALWAYS GROWING
Embracing new challenges, seeking out opportunities to learn and develop, and continuously improving one's skills and knowledge. Reading, learning, and sharing information. Recognising triggers and limitations with a desire to heal them. Developing self-awareness around reactions.
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HONESTY
Honesty is the awareness of what is right and appropriate. Respecting boundaries and owning mistakes. Taking accountability for our actions. Honesty IS being trustworthy, loyal, fair, and sincere.
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CREATE A COMMUNITY
Our community is what drives us. We find our people and continue to strive to serve their needs, make them feel like they belong, are included, thought of, heard and seen. Our community is the heart and soul of our business. Without our community, we don't exist.
