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With nine tanning facilities, a distribution company and more than 100 employees depending on him at the age of 30, Zach Neugebauer has a lot riding on the future of indoor tanning.
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So, rather than focusing solely on his business and hoping for the best, Zach has taken an active role in helping sustain the best possible position for our industry now and decades down the road. He’s been involved in industry politics for basically his entire adult life, and now he’s accepting a key role in fighting for his business and yours as the newest Board Member of the American Suntanning Association.
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“I’ve had a tremendous experience and feel very honored to be a part of the industry’s association. Networking with a lot of very smart, successful people has generated new ideas, vision and sense of energy,” Zach says. “I want to be involved with guiding our industry’s future, to help fight regulatory battles and work closely with other board members who are successful and have great companies.”
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The ASA is constantly searching for more industry involvement, whether it’s membership, sitting with the board to make important decisions, or something as simple as sending emails and making calls to politicians. After working with Zach in state battles, ASA knew they wanted him involved at a higher level. Adding him to the board is a major win for the ASA and the industry.
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“Zach is one of our industry’s brightest young minds, and he certainly brings some diversity of thought to the table, both from the standpoint of new ideas from his generation and representing a small business in the heart of the country,” says ASA President, Melinda Norton. “We need to impact as many politicians representing different areas as we can, and we need them to see the type of driven, caring people we have in this industry.”
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Zach’s role as an ASA board member is unique for several reasons, starting most obviously with his age. The size of his business is also notable. Year Round Brown is a successful business, but pales in comparison to the size and scope of some of the industry’s largest franchise organizations. While some independent salon owners have voiced concern over the ASA board consisting mostly of some of the largest salon chains and franchises, Zach has seen first-hand that everyone on the ASA board is committed to reaching goals that will benefit everyone from 100-plus location businesses to single-facility independents.
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“I was really impressed by the way everybody puts their individual business hats aside,” Zach says. “Everybody’s doing their best to help the industry. We have to consider the greater good if we’re going to win this fight. Everyone has to be selfless, and that’s what I saw at ASA meetings. That’s what I want to be a part of.”
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Zach’s motivation to increase his industry involvement today also stems from his view that the industry has reached a turning point. We now have a federal administration that’s favorable to our cause, new, more open-minded consumers will continue to flood the market, and some big political wins appear to be on the horizon. For Zach, it’s now or never.
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“If there was ever a time for people to get involved with the ASA, it’s now,” he says. “I recommend you do some research, learn more and really strongly consider it. We have the best opportunity to make some headway right now, with this business-friendly administration, and the more people who jump in, the better chance we have. I really encourage everyone to get involved, because right now is our window of opportunity.”
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For more information about how you can get involved with the ASA’s efforts to protect and push the industry forward, email dalep@americansuntanning.org, or call 855.879.7678.
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“If there was ever a time for people to get involved with the ASA, it’s now.” Zach Neugebauer
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About the ASA
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Founded in 2012, the American Suntanning Association is committed to defending and growing the industry through a detailed and proactive plan directed by an all-salon board and executed by more than two dozen management and consulting team members who specialize in this type of work.
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