For the past 20 years and counting, Glamour Tans continues to evolve with the industry and the needs of its many satisfied clients!
- Location: Greeneville, TN
- Number of Stores: 2
- Years in Business: 20
- Owner: Carma Steele
- Staff: 6
- Tanning Units: 21 (Ergoline & Soltron)
- Tanning Levels: 6
- Lotion Brands: Devoted Creations, Designer Skin, Ed Hardy Tanning, Playboy, Supre Tan & Swedish Beauty
- Software: TanTrack
- Other Services: Sunless Tanning (Pura Sunless)
- Training: Sun is Life®
- Distribution Partner: Four Seasons Sales & Service, Heartland Tanning, Inc.
Though hard to believe now, Carma Steele didn’t spend a lot of time in a sunbed before opening Glamour Tans. At best, this pale and freckled mother of five would develop a base tan before vacations. “I used to operate a secretarial service and prepared resumes and term papers,” said Carma, “before every home had a computer and printer. When I wanted to change careers, I opened a video rental business.” Like other video entrepreneurs, she achieved success after adding some tanning units to her store. “After the first year,” she said, “I added one new unit a year for the next two years, then another three the following year, until I had 11 tanning systems.” In 1998, Video Pouch and Tanning became Glamour Tans, and Carma never looked back!
In 2002, Carma opened her second Glamour Tans location, but it wasn’t meant to be … at that location, anyway. Changes in her life made it difficult to operate two stores by herself, and she ended up closing the second salon. Things would take another turn a few years later, and it would be a turn for the better. As she explained, “Two years ago, I had the opportunity to reopen my second location in a very busy area in town and I jumped at the chance. I’m very thankful to have had Bridget Cutshall on my staff for the past four years; she’s hardworking, dependable and always looking out for the business, and I wouldn’t be able to operate two locations without her.” The second Glamour Tans features nine UV tanning units and a Pura sunless booth, and caters to a demographic of male and female tanners similar to that of her original location.
Training plays a big part in Glamour Tans’ success, and Carma credits Sun is Life® for playing a big part in hers. “I absolutely love the Sun is Life Webinars hosted by John Farr!” she exclaimed. “There’s so much great information presented by him and his guests, and it’s great that the replays are available because I’m sometimes too busy to catch it when it first airs.” Sun is Life training is in Glamour Tans’ future as soon as she can find an opportune time to take the modules. “My staff and I do a good job of taking care of our clients,” she added, “but there’s always more we can learn. I’ve researched Sun is Life training and certification program and was very impressed with everything it has to offer!”
After selling sunshine for so long, Carma’s plans for her business are as rock solid as her salons’ success. As Glamour Tans’ slogan states, she plans to continue telling tanners in Greeneville, TN to “come get their tan on with Glamour Tans.” Regarding her future, she also said, “Having five kids might make it difficult for me to add a third location anytime soon. But I love taking care of my customers and knowing that our services help them to feel better about themselves, so I’ll keep working hard to continue being successful with what we have!” ■
