I’ve been pondering a couple of questions of late.
What has the tanning industry done to gain clout and earn respect?
What have other industries done to achieve their professional reputations?
Let’s talk about cosmetologists. To be licensed to practice their trade in, they have to go to a trade school then complete a state examination process. They proudly display their trade school certificates and state licenses in their salons. Barbers and hairdressers? Their requirements are much the same and their documentation is also displayed anywhere they practice their trades.
How about doctors and lawyers? They receive degrees after many years of schooling and then pass rigorous exams to get licensed by their state. You’ll see their diplomas and state licenses framed and hanging on their office walls.
We could talk about politicians, but popularity is all they need – no intelligence required.
How about tanning salon operators? Will popularity help our reputation? Well, while indoor tanning is still widely popular, the public’s perception of our industry has recently been dictated by New Jersey’s “Tan Mom.” How’s that for popularity? I do know that we have some extremely intelligent people in our industry. How can we capitalize on this?
The Sun is Life Salon Operator Training & Certification program is our industry’s first licensed trade school. It is really the first step toward achieving the clout and respect that our industry needs in order to survive. Popularity isn’t working in our favor lately, but our intelligence and professionalism CAN. We need to use our intellect and improved skills to create new profit centers for salon businesses. The only way we can do this is by professionalizing our industry and educating everyone who provides cosmetic tans in a tanning facility through a comprehensive trade school format.
An old science adage states, “The sun is the beginning of all life.” The sun IS life. Through the development and growth of the Sun is Life Trade School program, we can breathe new life into our industry. Training every member of your staff through Sun is Life is the first step toward realizing a rebound in our industry and in your salons. Check it out at sunislife.com.
Together, we tan … Divided: let’s not go there.
