Lisa Parsons, Director of Brand Development – Devoted Creations Brands
1. How did you get into the tanning industry?
When I was 16, I was a tanner at a two-store salon chain. It was the summer and I was already a full-time nanny, lifeguarding and teaching swim classes. The salon owner asked if I wanted a part-time bed-cleaner job, and I took it – mostly for the free tanning. But, when one of the sales girls called in sick, I had to work the front counter. In my five-hour shift, I sold $900 in products and was quickly promoted to salesperson. I stayed with that company for six years, grew with them and was promoted through the ranks. When I left to work in the lotion sector of our industry, that little salon chain had expanded to a thriving franchise company with 64 locations across three states. I owe my start in tanning to Desert Sun. (Shameless shout out! #sorrynotsorry)
2. What do you like most about your job?
That’s a hard one! First, it’s the people. I’ve been in this industry over half my life, and have made some amazing, lifelong friends all over the world. I don’t consider these people “clients” anymore; they are truly family to me. I also love the ability to help – help people grow, thrive, make more money and succeed. I also really love the product development side, following trends, design ideas, ingredient concepts, product names and really watching a vision of what we believe will be a success come to life.
3. How do you like to spend your spare time?
Running marathons and gardening. Totally joking! I live in Florida and my boyfriend is an avid boater, so we’re on the water most weekends. If I’m not in a bikini on a beach, you can usually find me doing the exact opposite: binge-watching a Netflix series start to finish, cuddled up with my adorable, semi-famous Cavachon, Ashley Bronzer. (By semi-famous, I mean check out her hashtag on Instagram #AshleyBronzer.)
4. Do you have a “pet peeve?”
So many! Rude people, moody people, the shopping cart with the bad wheel, voicemails that could easily have been a text message, my alarm clock (does that count?)
5. What’s your favorite food?
Here’s the perfect meal: petite filet at Ruth’s Chris, French fries from McDonald’s with Big Mac sauce for dipping, Domino’s cheesy bread with garlic butter AND ranch dip, and it ends with a piece of Funfetti cake with chocolate frosting – all washed down with champagne, of course.
6. What are you watching on TV?
Right now, it’s “Shameless,” “Scandal” and “Animal Kingdom.” If I can’t sleep, it’s “Cops” or “Forensic Files” – somehow, those put me right to sleep.
7. If we look at your “Bucket List,” what’s at the top?
Waking up every day happy and healthy. There’s no amazing trip I want to take, or place I want to skydive from, or tattoo I want to get. To me, happiness means creating a life that I don’t need a vacation from.
