So here we are approaching the end of another year – wow! At this time each year, it never ceases to amaze me just how quickly the previous twelve months have passed by. And as I take a pause for breath and to reflect, I can say hand on heart what an amazing year 2014 turned out to be!
There’s no doubt 2014 was always bound to have a special place in my heart as I reached a significant milestone, celebrating 30 years in this wonderful industry (Is it just me, or does three decades sound so much longer?!). Either way, just like 2014, the last 30 years have literally whizzed by! Along the way I have had so much fun, so many highs and of course a few lows, which I tend not to dwell on. I have witnessed and experienced a plethora of changes, challenges and triumphs, making so many acquaintances and connections along the way with many people whom I genuinely and with pride now call my friends.
The indoor tanning industry is, in many ways, like an extended family.
The indoor tanning industry is, in many ways, like an extended family. We generally all get along but, of course, there are times when we fall out (hopefully not for long!). We care what people say and think about us and always strive to do the best we can, even when times are tough. As with any large family, there’s always one or two bad apples in the barrel, but experience has shown that the strength of the family as a whole keeps us moving forward.
To my mind, our strong trade association in the UK is a great example of how our industry has united and come together as a family. Almost twenty years ago, I was part of a small group of industry individuals that got together to set up the UK’s Sunbed Association. At that time, the industry was growing at a very rapid pace, and we knew that there were a number of rogue operators looking to cash in on the industry’s expansion. They weren’t interested in customer care, they were literally in the business to make a quick buck, which they were doing big time! As the media started to take an interest in this type of operator, alarm bells were ringing like crazy. We knew we had to promote the professional element of the industry. So with the absence of any formal government regulation, we introduced self-regulation. Manufacturers and suppliers came together to fund the initiation of The Sunbed Association and, again, apart from the odd hiccup, we haven’t looked back. With operators large and small represented on the Board, the association truly represents the best our industry has to offer.
As I look forward to 2015, I am very excited by the prospect of witnessing the fruition of what has been sown in the last couple of years. There are exciting times ahead, and I for one am looking forward to the ride! ■
