- Locations: 1
- Years in Business: 18
- Tanning Systems: 9
- Tanning Levels: 4
- Staff: 5
- Distribution Partner: CTS
- Other Services: Airbrush Tanning & Bodywraps
For 18 years and counting, many people continue to find an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of their busy lives at The Sun Oasis in Auburn Hills, MI.
The Sun Oasis was opened in 1994 by Kristi Sugg, who graduated from Oakland University that same year. After quickly growing the venture to three locations, she decided to consolidate them into one facility, roughly a mile from her alma mater. This turned out to be a good idea because, thanks to the salon’s tanning equipment, spa services and dedication to offering friendly customer service, The Sun Oasis continues to remain a popular destination with O.U. students, both current and alumni. As she continues to lead her business in a successful direction, Kristi is adamant about foregoing further expansion… but she does plan to incorporate other ways to improve upon the “Sun Oasis Experience.”
From Three…
While majoring in communications at Oakland University, Kristi was a part-time office manager for a chiropractor. She planned to get a job at an advertising agency upon graduation; but life, as it often does, took her down a different path. “I soon found out that jobs in my chosen field were difficult to come by,” said Kristi. “It seemed without a mountain of previous experience, candidates were destined to earn just above minimum wage. I knew that I could do better than that if I went into business for myself, so I decided to open a tanning salon where I could offer a service that I already loved while using the experience I gained to market and promote it.” Kristi opened her first salon in a building attached to her former employer’s office, a second facility in Auburn Hills, and a third in Milford.
…To One
While owning and operating three salons was exciting, Kristi discovered that it was also impractical. “I soon realized that what I really needed was one, strong location because it just made more sense at that time in my life, and with the state of the economy,” Kristi said. “I consolidated the Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills locations and sold the Milford store – this turned out to be a good decision, because the Auburn Hills salon is near the O.U. campus and was always our busiest store.” With the streamlining of The Sun Oasis, Kristi took a sales rep position with tanning product distributor CTS, which she held for two years. “Working with CTS was a great experience, and I still enjoy my relationship with them as distributor for my salon,” she added.
The Sun Oasis features a simple, clean and crisp décor, with a well-stocked lotion display, beige walls and muted, multi-colored floor covering. There are nine tanning units – three ETS, Inc. Sun Star 332, three Hex booths, a Hex II VHR, a Soleil Systems 40.3 VHR and one SonnenBräune 732 – and a California Tan MobileBronzer sunless system. As a New Sunshine Premiere salon, Australian Gold, California Tan, Designer Skin and Swedish Beauty lotions line the display shelves, and it’s operated with Helios software. “In February, we added the FIT Bodywrap system and it’s been a huge hit,” Kristi said. “We introduced it with a special on Groupon that attracted 185 clients in the first three days, and ended up paying for the system within 30 days!”
Service with a Smile
Kristi started her salon after graduating from Oakland University, and remains involved with the college, much to the benefit of The Sun Oasis. “Word-of-mouth advertising is huge for us, so I do everything I can to stay connected with the college and what’s going on over there,” she said. “We sponsor various teams and activities, as well as conduct volunteer work, and place advertisements in the student planner, which goes out to all incoming freshmen and returning students. I’m also very fortunate to have a staff that embraces the concept of offering superior customer service – because of their friendly, outgoing nature, our clients are happy to come back year after year, even after they graduate and start careers and lives of their own.”
The Oasis Remains
When she first opened The Sun Oasis, Kristi was filled with an almost unbridled enthusiasm, which inspired her to grow her business. Time, and more importantly, maturity, taught her that consolidating three locations into one, strong salon was her best move … and she plans to keep things that way. “We have everything down to a science, so there’s no reason to try reinventing the wheel,” she said. “Having a single store to concentrate our efforts on allows us to do what we do best – offer the kind of service that keeps our clients coming back to tan with us. Also, having one salon gives me more time to spend with my husband and our children.” Kristi says she plans to continue adding new services to diversify the menu at The Sun Oasis.
Although no members of Kristi Sugg’s immediate family work at The Sun Oasis, it’s nonetheless a family business. “It’s great to help people feel better about themselves, but it’s even better spending the time getting to know my staff,” Kristi said. “Over the years, many employees have become like family members, and it’s great to watch them grow into the people they’re destined to become, and to be a part of their journeys.”
