ist Magazine February 2022

Salon of Distinction

IST: Have your sanitization standards changed since the pandemic? If so, how? MF: Joe, we have always prided ourselves on the cleanliness of our salon, so I wouldn’t say our procedures have changed a lot. We were and still are known to be extremely clean and sanitary. But, we now offer our guests face masks and hand sanitizers throughout the salon. IST: You told me earlier that you en- joyed taking our Sun is Life® Certifica- tion class. What insights did you gain? How important is it to have a staff that is fully trained with Sun is Life? MF: I feel that Sun is Life Certification is very important. Operators and staff can learn so many key facts about the tanning process – factual information that is so important to share with your customers to help you meet their specific tanning needs. I feel that all salon staff should be certified so they, too, can be knowledge- able about the tanning services we offer.

Tan by Michelle STAY I NG STRONG By Joe Schuster

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two facilities and wanted to open a third. In 2002, we found a location and became partners. We refurbished an old video store and started Tan By Michelle as an invest- ment. After installing 19 (now 17) tanning units, we opened our doors in January 2003. This is the start of our 19th year! IST: Wow! That’s quite a strong run! Bet you’ve seen a lot in those 19 years. Dealing with COVID has certainly impacted many small businesses. How did you survive over the last year? How would you compare your business against this time last year? MF: Pennsylvania’s closing of indoor tan- ning and related businesses due to COVID was pretty rough for many. After four long months of being closed, we reopened and quickly resumed operations as normal.

have always said that one of the key factors in the longevity of the indoor tanning industry has been our resil-

ience – the abilities of salon operators all over the country to overcome the “brick walls” that can impede our business, be they regulatory, economic or the result of negative media among others. Well, Michelle Fulp of Tan by Michelle in Wil- liamsport, PA is certainly a fine example of that. Want to know more? Read on! IST: Michelle, let’s start at the beginning. How did you get involved in the tan biz? MF: My father started in the tanning industry back in 1989. It was a great opportunity to work side-by-side with him. I learned so much! By the time I graduated from college, my father had

In addition to Sun is Life Certification, Michelle has completed the Norvell University Master Spray-Tan Certification Course.

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February 2022 istmagazine.com