Owners: Ed & Gloria Masoudi
Location: Yorba Linda, CA
Years in Business: 16
Staff Members: 9
Tanning Units: 11
Lotions: Designer Skin, Australian Gold, Swedish Beauty
Software: Helios
Other Services: Red Light Therapy, Mystic Tan Sunless
Training: Sun is Life® Certification
Distribution Partner: Four Seasons
Best-Selling Lotion: Designer Skin Cherish
Our July Salon of Distinction sells sunshine in sunny California. Owned by Gloria and Ed Massoudi, Sun Studio Tanning has been going strong for over 15 years. I caught up with Gloria and asked her to share how they make it happen. [gap height=”15″]
IST: Gloria, you’re not an easy gal to track down! Thanks for taking time to share your story with our readers. How did you get your start?[gap height=”15″]
Gloria: Back in 2001, we opened a business called Max Muscle Nutrition in La Mirada, CA. At that time, Max Muscle was a small, growing company with multiple locations offering great nutrition products and tanning services. We were very fortunate to join this company before they became a franchise – we had a nutrition store located next to a fitness gym and had four tanning beds. This made us a one-stop shop for nutrition enthusiasts who loved working out and feeling good. Both sides of the business did well and we needed more space for our nutrition products, as well as more beds. We opened our first tanning salon in 2002 in the same shopping center as our nutrition store. In 2005, we expanded to our current locations in Placentia, and Yorba Linda in 2012. Ed and I have a passion for nutrition, health and fitness … making our customers feel good![gap height=”15″]
IST: You’ve completed Sun is Life® Certification. How important is a trained staff?[gap height=”15″]
Gloria: Joe, a Trained Staff is vital in our business. We face so much misinformation out there, and by training our staff, we provide correct information about tanning. Our team is extremely educated in finding what is just right for our salon guests while giving them the best experience possible.[gap height=”15″]
IST: Speaking of staff, what can you tell me about yours?[gap height=”15″]
Gloria: They are exceptional! My manager is amazing and our team is second to none. They love making our guests feel good and helping them achieve what they’re looking for. We really try to serve our community and all our employees are students. As an owner, I try to make it a very friendly “go-to-school-and-get-your-degree” environment. My current manager has been with me since she was in high school, her best friend works at the salon. We have a set of sisters, cousins, and a group of really good friends – we really are a family. [gap height=”15″]
IST: It’s tough to maintain consistency. Our industry has survived economic downturns, negative media and more. What would you say has been your biggest challenge?[gap height=”15″]
Gloria: In Southern California, it’s teaching people about the positives of tanning. When we started back in 2001, everyone went to the salon – everyone tanned and everyone talked about it! Now, we feel it’s become a dirty little secret! If they admit that they tan, our UV tanners will get lectures from their friends, doctors and random strangers. Tanning in moderation has so many benefits, and we believe in providing the most positive experience for our guests so that they represent our salon and spread the word about the benefits. For those who are dead-set against UV-tanning, we offer sunless, as well. We’ve seen an increase in sunless over the years, but overall, the majority of our tanners still prefer UV. [gap height=”15″]
IST: Agreed – moderation, as with most things in life, is key. Let’s move on to the big picture. What do you feel is our industry’s biggest obstacle?
Gloria: I believe it’s the same obstacle we face day to day in the salon – showing people that there are so many benefits to tanning! My team is trained to help those who are new to our tanning salon overcome their hesitation with tanning. Whether they want to avoid burning before a vacation or they tan year ‘round to help combat depression, our staff teaches our guests all the different options in tanning.
IST: You and Ed have been selling sunshine for quite some time. Congrats! So, where do you want to be in the next five years? [gap height=”15″]
Gloria: We really want to continue promoting the positives and benefits of tanning. It’s always great to see the change in people after they experience a tanning session, whether its UV or sunless. We have all walks of life tanning for different reasons – many to address facial blemishes and psoriasis symptoms. It’s a great way to relax and rest your mind, relieving stress. I think so many people are so stressed and unhappy, they don’t stop to take care of themselves. The 20 minutes or less you spend in our salon will change your attitude and help you live a happier healthier life! [gap height=”15″]
A big shout out to Gloria, Ed and their staff. All the best for continued success![gap height=”15″]
