| Location | Columbus, GA |
| Owner | Kristen Carroll |
| Years in Business | 33 |
| Staff | 5 |
| Tanning Units | 9 |
| Lotions |
MR International, Designer Skin, Swedish Beauty, Cal Tan
|
| Software | SalonTouch |
| Other Services |
Sunless Booth, Custom Spray-Tan (Norvell), Formostar Body Wrap, Teeth Whitening
|
| Salon Operator Training | Sun is Life® |
| Distributor Partner | Heartland |
| Best Selling Lotions |
MR International iMood, Designer Skin Salacious
|
| Most Popular Package | Diamond Club (includes all UV-tanning levels) |
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Last month marked the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the WWII assault on the beaches of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. It was an appropriate time to select our Salon of Distinction, as well. New Life Tanning Center is located in Columbus, GA and just a “stone’s throw” from Ft. Benning – home to the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and the 75th Regiment/3rd Battalion of the Rangers. New Life’s owner, Kristen Carroll is a recent grad of Sun is Life® Certification program and was ecstatic to be featured!
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IST: Kristen, congratulations on being selected for our Salon of Distinction profile. Let’s start with the basics. How did you get your start in the tanning industry?
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KC: I started as a tanning room attendant at the age of 16 (15 years ago), worked my way up through various positions and purchased the salon in 2013.
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IST: That’s a rare, but not completely unheard-of start! But what a great wealth of knowledge to have prior to purchase. I’ve been teaching indoor tanning certification for over two decades and of course, am very much a supporter of training. You have just completed Sun is Life® Certification. How important is having a trained staff?
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KC: Joe, it’s so important. We take pride in being “experts” when it comes to tanning and the skin. We can share factual information we got through the Sun is Life Training with our salon guests and prospective customers, alike.
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IST: Since the inception of modern indoor tanning in the U.S. back in the late 70s, the demographics have stayed fairly constant; females between the ages of 18-35. How would you describe the your clientele?
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KC: Our tanners are pretty close to that ratio – primarily women between the ages of 20 and 50. But you’re right – over the past few years, we have seen an increase in male tanners.
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IST: The roadblocks for the small business owner can be substantial – competition, regulatory impacts and negative media exposure among them. What would you say has been your biggest obstacle?
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KC: For us, it’s trying to compete with the big guys. We are one of two independently-owned salons in town now, and it’s harder to compete because we do not have the resources they do.
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IST: Yes, sometimes competing with larger franchises or chains can be tough. But I believe that there is a strong segment of tanners who enjoy the friendly atmosphere and name recognition that can develop at the smaller salon level. You’ve been operating the facility for over three years. What are your next goals?
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KC: Joe, that’s easy. We will continue to be the best that we can be and focus on the guest experience!
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IST: Well put, Kristen. Congratulations to the entire New Life team and all the best in the future!
