There are still many positive things happening in indoor tanning for everyone here to enjoy. Take for example, the steady number of people who are following their dreams of opening and operating salons, further strengthening the industry. IST Magazine wishes to recognize these “newbies” with this monthly Welcome Wagon series. We invite our loyal readers to join us in giving them the friendly greeting they deserve!
- Location: Columbus, GA
- Date Opened: December 2013
- Owner: Kristen Carroll
- Staff: 5
- Tanning Systems: 8 (Ergoline, I.So Italia & SunDash)
- Tanning Levels: 3
- Lotions: California Tan, Designer Skin, MR International, Swedish Beauty
- Software: SalonTouch
- Other Services: Custom Spray-tans (Infinity Sun), Sunless Tanning (Mystic Tan), Formostar Bodywrap, Teeth-whitening (White Blitz)
- Training: Sun Is Life®
- Distribution Partner: Heartland Tanning, Inc.
When it comes to New Life Tanning Centers in Columbus, GA, owner Kristen Carroll is making sure that the third time is a charm!
While she’s new to salon ownership, Kristen has plenty of experience “behind the counter.” At 16, she began working at New Life Tanning Centers as a tanning room attendant, soon working her way up to sales trainer and assistant manager before becoming manager. “After 11 years there,” said Kristen, “I had earned a Bachelor’s degree from Columbus State University, but didn’t know what I wanted to do with it. My former boss at New Life said she wanted to sell the salon and I thought it would be a great idea to buy it.”
At the age of 27, Kristen became the third owner of New Life Tanning Centers, determined to continue and improve upon the business’s success and reputation. “Although my former boss taught me nearly every aspect of the business,” she explained, “it was still scary actually being the owner and solely responsible for whether or not it would continue.” Marketing and promoting New Life on the radio, Kristen educated people about her sunless tanning and teeth-whitening services. This promotion went over well, she says, adding, “We had so many people calling us, saying, ‘We didn’t know you did that!’” She also promoted the business with email marketing and interacting with clients on New Life’s Facebook page.
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[/one_half][one_half last=”yes”]In her ongoing quest to provide great guest experiences, Kristen recently earned Sun is Life® certification. The course, she says, was highly informative and user-friendly, adding that it “helped me reach a greater understanding of why we’re here – to better serve our guests. I particularly liked the conversation starters and other tips that help us to better know our tanners.” Team member Stephen Graziano also enjoyed Sun is Life, saying that the program, “is more in-depth than other tanning training programs I’ve taken.” His co-worker Brittany Mann echoed Stephen’s appreciation for Sun is Life. “It does a great job of putting the focus on the guest,” she said, “and how we can create the best experience for them.”[/one_half]
After nearly a year, Kristen says she’s dedicated to ensuring New Life Tanning Centers’ success. This could mean opening a second store; but those plans would be somewhere down the line. “We used to have a second location,” she explained, “but it was in a shopping plaza that was losing business and foot traffic, so we shut it down. Right now, I know of at least two thriving locations that would be great for a second store, but I want to take my time and do it right.” In the meantime, Kristen continues to enjoy the feeling of gratification she gets each time she helps her guests look good and feel good.
Thanks for helping us welcome Kristen Carroll 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!
