What if I gave you $1,200 to spend however you wanted? What would you do with it? Would you spend it on a new iPad or television? Perhaps buy a new designer handbag? Would you put it toward the long-awaited vacation we are all dreaming of? What if that $1,200 could be used as an investment to protect the future of your business and our industry? That is exactly how I encourage you to think about your membership with the American Suntanning Association – as protection for the future of your business and our industry.
Not having professional representation in Washington D.C. creates a vulnerable position for the continued government overreach we have seen firsthand by federal and state regulations, taxes and restrictions. The impacts on our industry of deals done behind closed doors are difficult to reverse; but future overreach can be protected against. The New Sunshine team and I both strongly believe in the importance of having a trade association working on our side in Washington D.C. and the ASA is even more powerful an industry ally as they are no strangers to our business. They are a team of industry veterans with backgrounds ranging from owning/operating salons to establishing a well-respected salon training program, and they are personally invested in fighting for the future of your business.
ASA President, Melinda Norton and her team are lobbying tirelessly to help educate lawmakers about the professional standards of today’s salon owner and for the industry. They are doing much more than just trying to reverse the 2010 Tan Tax; in 2020, they worked with salon owners in both California and New York to re-classify the professional salon as non-contact to help re-open during the pandemic. This past summer, Melinda helped bring certainty to salon owners with critical information on updates to the PPP program offered by the SBA, including hosting a live web event with Bill Briggs from the Office of Capital Access of the Small Business Administration. The information they provide helps ensure all salons are taking full advantage of the support offered during these more trying times.
For nearly a decade, New Sunshine has been a proud supporter of the ASA and the work they are doing in Washington D.C. to bridge the gap between professional salon owners and lawmakers. It would be very remiss of me to not ask you to consider joining New Sunshine and other industry leaders in helping support this important cause. Becoming a member is one way to help support, but there are additional ways including annual contributions to the “bottle program” offered through several distributors. You have a chance to support those who are supporting this industry, your industry, and reinvest a part of your purchases.
We may not have the opportunity to connect 1:1 in person this season, but I encourage you, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the ASA. They can talk through the partnership advantages to ensure you have the right information to invest in the future of your business and the protection of our industry in 2021.
Thank you, current members of the ASA, Melinda Norton, Matt Russell and Joe Levy for helping protect the professional sunbed industry.
It would be very remiss of me to not ask you to consider joining New Sunshine and other industry leaders in helping support this important cause.
