Location: Wauchula, FL
Owner: Jan Platt
Number of Stores: 1
Years in Business: 21
Staff: 3
UV Tanning Units: 5
Lotions: California Tan, Designer Skin, Australian Gold, Swedish Beauty
Other Services: Nails, Retail Jewelry
Training: Sun is Life®, New Sunshine
Distributor Partner: Four Seasons
Best-selling Lotion: California Tan Cypher Platinum Black Optimizer
Most Popular Package: Unlimited Month
This month, our Salon of Distinction was selected from Florida. Specifically, Wauchula, and yes – I had to spellcheck that city. Jan Platt is the owner and operator of Jan’s in Wauchula and had been at for over 20 years. I caught up with Jan post-Thanksgiving and we chatted about her business.
[gap]How did you get started in the tanning industry?
Joe, I started out differently than a lot of folks who were tanners at a salon, and then ended up buying it and becoming salon operators. My sister owned a salon and told me about a friend who had one for sale. She told me that she was having a blast running her business and making some money, so I should jump in and do it. After reviewing it as a business opportunity, I did it!
[gap]
What do you see as your big challenges over the last 5 years?
Well, of course, the decline in the number of tanners, which is something that I think many salons have suffered through. Some of my prime customers now seem to be too busy to tan. Moms who used to swing by for a tan after dropping kids off at school now have gone back to work and don’t have time to tan indoors. In addition, many now don’t see having a tan as a necessity or simply don’t have the discretionary income to spend on it.
[gap]What is our industry’s biggest obstacle?
Well, the things I mentioned in my answer to the last question can also be the result of the continued negative press that tanning facilities receive. We have to do a much better job of talking about the benefits of tanning indoors, as they relate to offering moderation and control. We need to get back to the basics and make the public aware that we are professionals and share factual information, not hype.
[gap]You recently completed some of the online courses in the Sun is Life® Training & Certification Program. What is your impression?
That’s an easy one! It’s fantastic training! We must continue to educate ourselves and our staff to be better equipped to answer questions from our current and potential salon guests. Sun is Life Training has been an effective program for grabbing that information and I highly suggest that others try it. It’s training that our industry has really needed. I find that we have new guests coming in who appreciate the fact that we (Florida) have indoor tanning regulations and that Jan’s follows them. I think that all states should require training like Sun is Life for salons.
[gap]What has been the key to the success of Jan’s?
Customer service, without a doubt. We know that money is tight and that our guests could spend it elsewhere. We want them to have a top-notch visit at Jan’s. Come in, relax and enjoy the experience. It’s a luxury and I want them to feel that they got even more than they paid for.
Jan, thanks for your time and your interest in Sun is Life Training. All the best for a successful 2016!
