ist magazine February 2023

Salon of Distinction

I really enjoyed my chat with this month’s Salon of Distinction owner! Not only is Kristy Mazeika a super-enthusiastic individual, but her facility is also located in Athens, GA – a great college town. I had the pleasure of providing Sun is Life® Certification to Kristy and her Assistant Manager, Emalee Griggs, at the National Tanning Expo in Nashville, TN. And as our readers should be aware by now, if you pass Sun is Life certification, you could be selected for a Salon of Distinction feature! ATHENS, GA By Joe Schuster

IST: Many owners get their start in the indoor tanning industry by buying an existing salon, maybe one that the current owner wants to sell and perhaps one where they were a former customer. Some may have heard that it’s a solid opportunity to invest in the “look good/feel good” business. It seems that very few folks ever set a life goal to own a tanning facility. Many just seem to “fall” in – as I once did! How did you get your start? KM: Joe, I have been involved in the tanning industry for quite a while, over 18 years. I started as a sales consultant and then worked my way into manage ment and finally, ownership. In 2017, I purchased the salon I had managed for over seven years and re-branded it to Tan Athens.

IST: The indoor tanning industry has been historically centered around 18-35 year old females. You’re located not too far from me in Athens, GA. What a beautiful town! Who is your typical salon guest? KM: As you know, it’s a college town (Go, Dawgs!) and most would assume that this location would draw a huge percentage of college-age females. But Athens is also known as a great place to retire and this gives us the opportunity to serve a wide spectrum of both male and female tanners ages 18-60. IST: Sanitization standards were covered in depth during our Sun is Life classroom course. You may recall me suggesting that a great way to beat the competition is to offer

Co-owners Julian & Kristy

Mazeika count on a well-trained team

to provide salon guests with a great experience. (From Top): Grace Gordon, Maddie Thornton, Gracie Page, Julia Carter and Attison Cofer.

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February 2023 istmagazine.com