Location: Dickinson, ND
Owners: Steve & Stacy Ludwig
Number of Stores: 1
Managers: Ashley Baseflug, Mallory King
Staff Members: 8
Number of UV Tanning Units: 5 Luxura & Prosun
Lotions: New Sunshine Premier Salon, Norvell Sunless Products
Salon Software: TanTrack
Other Services: Red-Light Therapy, Aquafrixio Massage Bed, Norvell AutoRevolution Plus Spray-Booth, Teeth Whitening, Retail Boutique, Customized Tank Tops
Salon Operator Training: Sun Is Life®
Distributor Partner: Year Round Brown, South Dakota
Best-Selling Lotion: Cal Tan Cypher Platinum Optimizer
Most Popular Package: VIP All Inclusive (EFT): includes UV & Spray-tans, Red-Light Therapy, Aqua Massage, 15% Off All Retail Items
Greetings from the upper Midwest – specifically, North Dakota!
When it comes to the Salon of Distinction profile, I like to offer the full spectrum: from veterans to industry newcomers. This month, we’re talking to Ashley Baseflug and her mom, Stacy, of Aloha Tan in Dickinson, ND – a family-run operation in business since November, 2015.
I had the pleasure of providing the IST Magazine Sun is Life® Training to Ashley in Columbus, OH at the ITA World Expo and I have to tell you, she brings real enthusiasm to her business. Ashley granted me time for a little Q&A from a lakeside venue – she’s really involved with her salon, but didn’t care one bit about taking time from her well-earned weekend afternoon off. I only wish I’d been there in person – everyone needs a little “lake time” now and then.
How did you get started in the tan biz?
My mom is from San Diego, where everybody seems to embrace the “look good, feel good” concept. It was her dream to follow that slogan into a business, and we chose indoor tanning; but we kind of got started backwards. We selected our beds at the Expo, and then went home to pick our location. We found a great one right in the center of town and we took it. Our goal is to provide our guests with great customer service on each and every visit, and it has worked well for us. So well in fact, that we were recently chosen “Best Tanning Salon” in Dickinson, ND.
Are you involved in your community?
Joe, as you know, we are new salon operators, but clearly see the value of involvement. We actively pursue local events and charities that we can support.
How would you sum up the success of Aloha Tan?
I would say it has been far better than we expected! We assumed that it would be a labor of love for at least the first year. But, I can tell you that we’ve been pleasantly surprised. We really took off after we opened and soon had to add more beds. We even added a red-light therapy unit to diversify our menu.
What is your biggest obstacle as a salon?
As I have read in previous IST Salon of Distinction features, it seems that many list the negative media as a constant challenge. We are no different. Such a negative view of UV exposure has been pushed out by them! It was one of the big reasons that we wanted to take the Sun is Life Certification before we even opened. We offer our guests factual information on the moderate, controlled UV exposure we provide. We believe in this and make sure that all of our staff gets the same Sun is Life training, so that we can all be on the same page.
Ashley, what do you see in the future for Aloha Tan?
We would love to be in a position to expand to another location in the future, for sure. But for now, we want to keep up with new products and services to keep delivering the best to our customer base.
What drives you to come to work every day?
That’s easy … our customers! We want them to be happy when they leave Aloha Tan. If they’re happy, we’re happy!
Well Ashley, now I know that there’s a lot more than just good pheasant hunting in North Dakota. If you ever want to offer me the opportunity to come out your way to hunt (and tan), I’m in! All the best to Aloha Tan, now and in the future!
A FAMILY PLACE: Stacy, Mallory & Ashley are enjoying the Tan Biz!
