ist magazine July 2021

Team TANtalizing includes (Back) Jordan Wentz, Kennedy Capps, Emma Cisler, Abby Krumwiede, Alexis Herndon, Nicole Mazzella (Front) Morgan Harriss, Randi Heath, Nikki Capps (with Salon Pup Katy), Rebecca Cisler, Karsyn Capps. (Not pictured) Kellie Jackson, Cassie Bryant, Lailah Wade.

Nikki’s daughters Kennedy (L) and Karsyn make it a family operation!

get their sun is life certificates! We usually do a social media post and let everyone know that we have newly-certified employees and we hang all their certificates on the wall. IST: I was vacationing in your area recently, just as COVID mask restric tions were being eased. Certainly, the virus impacted many small businesses. How did you survive over the last year? Was the hurricane a couple of years ago harder or easier to recover from? NC: I am sure you have heard “covid blessing” stories from others and we are definitely one of them! I have never felt so blessed to live in the south! We were asked to close for the month of April, and in May, people just ran through the doors! Our guests have told us that we are their “escape back to reality.” My staff have never worn

masks, we have never required our guests to wear masks, yet we continued to keep a clean salon and business as usual and our customers appreciate that. Actually, 2020 was one of our best years and 2021 is projecting to be the best year ever for TANtalizing. Coming back from hurricanes was definitely harder – the clean-up time, extra expenses – people are just preoccupied before and after the storm. I also kept my staff on payroll the entire time, so I didn’t lose anyone because of the temporary shutdown. Now, hiring this spring was a challenge! I have hired more younger girls than ever before because so many adults are still on unemployment. I love mentoring and teaching them life skills, so it has been fun to watch them grow and learn. I know not all salons have been as fortunate and my heart goes out to them.

IST: Nicole, that’s really admirable. So let’s move on to goals. Where do you want to be in the next 1-3 years? NC: God willing, I have plans to open a wellness spa focusing on red light, infrared and some other preventative care services. I also plan to open one or two more tanning facilities. I believe that finding the right staff is key to keep ing the culture and excellent customer service we are known for in our area. Q Nikki, thanks for taking time out for our interview and we wish you all the best in the future!

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