- Locations: 2
- Years in Business: 1
- Tanning Units: 11 (Ergoline, Royal Sun & SunDash)
- Tanning Levels: 4
- Staff: 5
- Lotions: California Tan, Designer Skin, Devoted Creations, Ed Hardy Tanning, Supre Tan
- Software: Helios
- Other Services: Sunless Tanning (Mystic Tan), Teeth-Whitening (Beaming White)
- Distribution Partner: Four Seasons Sales & Service
Sungods Tanning Salon of Fargo, ND… it’s where tanners are treated like gods.
Being a tanner herself, Jody Rurup thought that owning a tanning salon would be an enjoyable career. Once she expressed a desire to enter the sun biz, her fiancée, Brian Azure, began searching the south side of Fargo for a location. “He contacted a broker and everything just came together,” said Jody. “That broker connected us with a salon owner who was looking to sell her business and it was the perfect fit for us.” The salon was located in a busy strip mall with nine other stores, offering Jody and Brian lots of drive-by and foot traffic. The couple took ownership of Sungods Tanning Salon on May 1, 2012.
Customer service is the concept that Brian and Jody stress with the Sungods staff. “During the interview process,” Brian said, “I communicate that our guests come to us for conversation and social interaction as much as for the tan. This is why it’s so important for us to provide a friendly atmosphere for everyone who walks through the door.” A candidate who easily converses with him and asks questions during the interview process is given preference because Brian believes this type of person will make salon guests feel welcome, and be confident enough to sell products and upgrade sessions. “If they’re friendly and outgoing, we can help them become great employees,” he added.
Once hired, Jody keeps the staff on their toes by regularly testing them with questions about random salon guests. “I’ll choose a salon guest’s name and ask my staff members to tell me something about that guest,” she explained. “If a member of our team has assisted a tanner a couple of times, then they should know something about that tanner, such as whether or not they have kids or have taken a recent vacation.”
A second facility – Sungods Lash Salon – was opened on September 1 in Moorhead, MN. “My staff and I became certified in applying eyelash extensions,” Jody said. “We opened a second location to focus on this, and we plan to add custom sunless spray-tanning and teeth-whitening there, as well.” Pending the construction of a few strip malls, the couple is strongly considering opening a third tanning salon in Fargo. Until then, they’ll keep educating their guests about how to make the most of their tanning experience. “We really enjoy helping them look good and feel their best!” Jody added.
