Time for Reflection

December is always a time to reflect – not only on our businesses, but also on our personal lives. When it comes to business, our plans for 2014 should already be complete – company expansion, final budgets, staff training. Are you ready for the season? As for our personal lives, family becomes the focus in December, as well as how we can help others by supporting charities. Although our nation’s economic recovery is certainly far from what we’d “hoped” for, and the growth needed to improve unemployment has been painfully slow, we must all remember that there are always those less fortunate than we are. Shouldn’t we be as reflective all year long as we are at the holidays?

At IST, our team is devoted to providing you with valuable content each month; so, we’ve done some reflection on that subject, specifically the ever popular “Salon Spotlight.” Starting in 2014, our new “Salons of Distinction” feature will highlight only the salons whose owners are dedicated to promoting the tanning business as a professional trade that provides cosmetic tans – and who do NOT make health claims (such as claims about vitamin D) to the public. In addition, stories in upcoming months will support our stance on this issue by examining the mistakes our industry has made over the last decade that have caused serious damage to our public image.

Through our Sun is Life® Training and Certification program and Trade School which has gained an impressive following, your team can learn how to represent indoor tanning professionally, in ways that will benefit your business now and in the future. Look for Sun is Life to be offered by leading distributors at their upcoming trade events throughout the season. And, it’s also available online 24/7 – a great and affordable investment in your business for 2014.

Despite its challenges, this industry has provided many people with long and rewarding careers, including this month’s “Close-up” subject, Melissa Gallion, VP of Consumable Sales at Four Seasons Sales & Service. She’s been on Team FS for 21 years and Ribby did a great story about her journey to the tan biz. Four Seasons was chosen Favorite Distribution Company in our 10th annual Industry Choice Awards – be sure to check out the list of winners on pg. 80. Reach out to the other deserving honorees and congratulate them – I know they’ll appreciate it.

On behalf of Team IST, I want to wish you and your families healthy and happy Holidays. My thanks to you as well for your loyalty, and to our advertisers who support our message and our ongoing mission to create a better future for the tanning business.

Thanks for reading!