Dear Readers,
As the storm begins to subside and the sun breaks through the enormous cloud that has darkened our world, members of the indoor tanning community are navigating uncharted waters as we attempt to recover from the damage. As I write this, the rollercoaster ride continues here in Michigan as my salon teams were preparing to re-open our facilities at the end of May, only to be locked down again! When we are able, we will do it RIGHT.
New challenges are ahead, but after 40 years in business, Tropi Tan will persevere. I hope you are able to begin your recovery with eager tanners and staff re-energized to return to work and embrace the new protocols for providing services.
For his feature article this month, Joe Schuster talked with a group of industry leaders about the recent changes our industry has and will continue to encounter – check out “A Resilient Industry Returns” on p. 22.
All our regular columnists offer their advice for getting back to business. Across the pond, longtime IST columnist, European tanning industry leader and veteran product distributor, Gary Lipman is calling for a “re-adjustment of the sun avoidance message” (p.48). I think we can all agree on that! The positive news from the CDC about vitamin D and viruses is a refreshing change from that spread by the “anti-tanning” coalition that our industry is used to. If you’ve successfully re-opened and have tips to share, email vince@istmagazine.com.
We have an opportunity to emerge from this business disaster and thrive – not to in any way demean the tragic losses of life so many have endured – but, many in this industry have devoted their entire working lives to their tanning businesses. The salon operators who survived the last decade are those who are dedicated to professionalism. Salon guests are concerned with their health and safety. This is a time that we must improve our image and going forward, offering a hyper-clean salon run by a well-trained team will be more important than ever. You MUST train and certify your team, and our award-winning Sun is Life program is effective, affordable and available online 24/7. Do it now! Visit sunislife.info.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have reduced the number of salons that will be able to continue operating; however, I believe that the industry will come back stronger and healthier.
Thanks for reading,
