1. How did you end up working in the tanning industry?
I loved tanning indoors prior to ever working in the industry. About 20 years ago, I was an ER admission clerk at the local hospital, but it was a PRN (“as necessary”) position. A friend of mine, Trish, worked in customer service at Four Seasons and knew I wanted a full-time, day-shift job. I didn’t know one thing about Four Seasons! Trish set up an interview with Rhonda, the customer service manager at the time. I had to cancel that first interview because there was snow on the ground and being from Alabama, well … I just don’t drive on snow. I didn’t think Rhonda would call me back but she did, and I celebrated 20 years on Team Four Seasons in January, 2023.
2. What was your very first job?
At age 16, my first job was at the local Dairy Queen in Paris, TN. It was owned by a local family and three brothers ran it for their dad. They let us do our homework when we were slow and taught me several lessons, including: Sometimes, just say okay and don’t talk back; how to count change back without a computer register and how to deal with the public. “DQ Lane 2” is where I met Phillip, my husband of 32 years! A co-worker arranged the meeting and I took him tater tots and a Chuckwagon Sandwich so he could get my number.
3. What is something people would never guess about you?
A couple of things: I used to be on the math team at Good Hope School in Cullman, AL and won several trophies for Algebra 1 and 2, including first place in the county. I was also in a pageant once (I didn’t have grace or beauty, but I sold the most ads that year … LOL). My title was “Miss Alabama Hostess Princess” and I got to go to the national competition in Atlanta, GA. Also, I currently still have cable TV – can’t bring myself to cut the cord.
4. Who is your hero?
Well, I have a bunch – the members of my work family. My family has been through a rough two-and-a-half years. My co-workers were there for Phillip and me through losing our daughter in 2020, to most recently when I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. I had a complete hysterectomy on April 17th and was going to be in the hospital on April 18th, my 50th birthday. Team Four Seasons knew how nervous I was about surgery, so they threw me a huge birthday/get well soon party. They sent many texts, called me, brought us food and came to visit. We have a big family at Four Seasons; they are truly caring and inspiring people who inspire me to be better.
5. Do you have a favorite family tradition?
When Phillip and I had kids, we didn’t want to be those parents who dragged the kids to everyone’s house on Christmas morning. Santa and presents are waiting and the kids would want to play with it all! So we decided to invite everyone to come for Christmas breakfast – don’t dress up, come in your pajamas if you want to and watch the kids open their presents and play with them.
6. Who was your first celebrity crush?
“The Karate Kid” Ralph Macchio and Duran Duran; during the ‘80s, I also had a thing for blonde “hair band” guitarists.
7. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an astronaut! As I got older, I wanted to be an engineer and actually started college courses for that. Then, I found love and kids … I ended up on the tanning industry path a few years later. Wouldn’t trade it for the world!
