What happened when one of the largest tanning distribution companies participated in the industry’s newest training and certification program? More than 70 indoor tanning industry professionals achieved a new level of sophistication … and much more!
September was a busy time for the folks at Four Seasons Sales & Service.
During the month, 73 of its employees received Sun Is Life certification straight from the source – Joe Schuster, Sun Is Life Director, and Vince Lorraine, ist Publisher/Program Creator, who both travelled to Paris, TN to conduct the training. Not only did the sessions help prepare Four Seasons’ sales staff to represent Sun Is Life to the company’s tanning salon clients, it gave many of the distribution professionals a deeper appreciation of the important educational aspects that all salon owners and staff should know. And to everyone who participated, the visit was a huge success!
Sun Is Life is ist Magazine’s training and certification program that was designed to address the needs of today’s new and veteran salon owners. Why, then, would the staff from one of the industry’s largest and most successful distribution companies get so much from it? “At Four Seasons, education and training is on the agenda every week,” said Ed Jerger, Four Seasons Executive Chairman. “In a fast-paced,ever-changing business environment, successful companies understand the need to have a well-informed staff, and Sun is Life is a fantastic program. In our continuous efforts to make our clients successful, we are now requiring everyone on our sales team to be certified.”
The staff at Four Seasons shared Ed Jerger’s enthusiasm for Sun Is Life Training, especially Dave Holtgrewe, Equipment Sales and Marketing. “I was so impressed with everything that Sun Is Life has to offer that I requested to become a certified trainer in the program,” said Dave. “Sun Is Life takes a lot of valuable information and streamlines it into a very concise and effective presentation that hits on all the major points that any tanning salon owner and their staff should know. I’m certain this will help salon pros be successful, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with them!” After becoming certified, Dave has been communicating with Joe Schuster to work out the necessary details.
As Four Seasons’ Quality Assurance Manager, Gideon Gielis doesn’t have much contact with salon owners. This didn’t stop him from eagerly participating in the Sun Is Life certification being offered at his place of employment, though. “About nine years ago, I received other industry training, but I wanted to try Sun Is Life to refresh my knowledge and see what it had to offer,” said Gideon. “After taking it, I was very impressed with Sun Is Life’s approach to training, particularly the attention given to the importance of not making medical claims about indoor tanning. I can see how this program will be very beneficial to tanning salon owners and staff.”
Sun Is Life Training and Certification was created by Vince Lorraine, who developed the program over a two-year period to offer an elite level of education for all salon owners. That a tanning distribution company with the size and magnitude of Four Seasons would see the value in this program is the proverbial “icing on the cake” for him. “We couldn’t be more pleased with Four Seasons’ sponsorship and participation in Sun Is Life!” Vince exclaimed. “It illustrates the level of commitment the company has to being the most-informed and knowledgeable they can be. It was truly an honor to visit the Four Seasons’ headquarters and personally train the dedicated staff, and I look forward to working with the rest of the team in the future.”
While the month of September concluded with more than 70 employees at Four Seasons’ headquarters getting Sun Is Life certification, the company’s involvement in the training program won’t stop there. “Everyone here has found Sun Is Life to be very valuable, and we plan to continue getting our entire sales team educated and certified,” said Four Seasons’ Melissa Gallion. “In the near future, we plan to have staff in our Springfield, IL and Greensboro, NC satellite offices take the courses, as well,and everyone is looking forward to it!”
IST Magazine’s Sun Is Life Training and Certification blends user-friendly technology with advanced training techniques for a completely new genre of Internet-enabled learning. The program is designed to change the way salon professionals deliver customer service, promote responsible and moderate tanning and exhibit professionalism. For more information, visit sunislifetraining.com.
