More and more people are following their dreams of opening and operating tanning salons, further strengthening the indoor tanning industry. IST Magazine wishes to recognize these “newbies” with this monthly “Welcome Wagon” series and we invite you, our loyal readers, to join us in giving the featured salon owners the friendly greeting they deserve!
Location: Murray, KY
Number of Stores: 1
Opened: July 7,2014
Owner: Traycee Vance
Staff: 3
Tanning Units: 9 (Ergoline, Klafsun & SunDash)
Lotions: Devoted Creations, Swedish Beauty, Synergy
Software: Software Helios
Other Services: Bodywraps (It Works), Custom Spray-Tans(Norvell Skin Solutions), Nails
Training: Sun is Life®
Distribution Partner: Four Seasons Sales & Service
The journey of success for Campus Tan, LLC has been a winding one, but the salon’s owner says it’s worth every step.
Traycee Vance cried the day she opened her tanning salon, and they weren’t tears of joy. Truth be told, the former interior designer was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the challenges of operating a completely new business. “The original owner said he would help me, but he disappeared after the sale,” Traycee explained. “There I was with this brand new business that I knew little about and there was no one to help me.” Fortunately, she was able to call upon the help of Delane, her sales rep at Four Seasons Sales & Service. Delane talked Traycee through her operational questions and also sent an equipment maintenance specialist to Campus Tan to do a walkthrough of all the tanning units, showing Traycee how to replace sunlamps and acrylic shields. “Four Seasons has been wonderful to me!” Traycee said.
While her first month of ownership was a bit rough, things quickly turned around at Campus Tan. The salon’s former tanners – most of them students at nearby Murray State University – began coming back in droves. Today, Traycee continues to attract new clients as well. The work she’s done on the décor has also made her business a place where people like to hang out. She explained, “I painted the walls and countertop aquamarine with red accents. I also added lotion shelves and displays, as well as many other things to liven up the interior. The overall look is professional yet cozy.”
To help her continued success, Traycee recently earned her Sun is Life™ certification at the National Tanning Expo in St. Louis. Due to an illness in the family, she and her employees couldn’t attend the entire Expo, but she says the certification course alone was worth the four-hour drive. “Sun is Life is amazing!” she exclaimed. “I learned so much and it’s already led to several improvements.” She added that the course’s instructor, Joe Schuster, spent a lot of time with her after the course to answer questions and offer additional advice, which Traycee also found helpful.
Though still a new salon owner, Traycee has big plans for Campus Tan. Having recently added custom spray-tanning to complement her manicure/pedicure and bodywrap services, she says she plans to add even more spa services to round out the salon’s offerings. She’d also like to replace a few of her older tanning units with new and exciting sunbeds. She added, “I’m not planning on opening a second store. I’m 48 years old with two kids in college and I’m already working over 60 hours a week so I don’t know where I’d find the time for another one!” Traycee says that she derives fulfillment from helping her current clients look good and feel better about themselves.
Thanks for helping us welcome Traycee Vance to the indoor tanning community. We look forward to meeting many more new faces and salon places in the months to come. Until then… stay sunny! ■
