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SUN & WELLNESS MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2026 | $4.95

The Backbone of Performance

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR SUN & WELLNESS MAGAZINE

Editor-in-Chief Joe Schuster Art Director Dave Villafañe Accounting/Circulation Quinn Cooper Senior Account Executive Quinn Cooper Executive Director Aliesha Colvin Contributing Writers Kristin Lee Smithers, CLT Dr Jim Schleckser Mackenzie Morris Emily Clements How To Reach Us 2741 E Belt Line Rd, Suite 113 Carrollton, Texas 75006 Interested In Advertising? Contact quinn@sunislife.com September 2026 | Volume 2 | Issue 9

Sun Is Life ISSN 2329-8545 (USPS 023-149) is published monthly by Glo Tanning Inc., 2741 E Belt Line Rd Apt 113, Carrollton, TX 75006. Periodicals postage is paid at Flint, MI and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Sun Is Life, 12335 N Rockwell Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73142. To authors, photographers and people featured in this publication: All materials, articles, reports and photos published in this publication are the property of Sun Is Life Magazine and cannot be used without written permission. The opinions and conclusions recited herein are those of the respective authors and not of Sun Is Life Magazine. Sun Is Life Magazine is not responsible for returning unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials. Every effort will be made however, to return rejected manuscripts, etc., if they are accompanied by sufficient first-class postage, but the publisher will not be responsible for loss of any such material.

Fall Equipment Reset The Backbone of Performance The Fall Equipment Reset gives owners a little breathing room that they rarely get during summer. It’s the moment between slower days and the holiday build‑up when you can finally evaluate equipment, rooms, and operational discipline. In this business, performance isn’t built during the “season.” It’s built now. September can be the reset that determines how well you’ll run for the next twelve months. Indoor tanning and wellness centers run on equipment. UV beds, red light units, salt rooms, cold therapy chambers, PEMF systems, and saunas all depend on consistency, airflow, cleanliness, and predictable output. When any of these slides, the customer experience slides with them. A tanning bed running below optimal output doesn’t just underperform; it quietly erodes your reputation, EFT retention, and competitive strength. Red Light Therapy in a room not properly sanitized sends the same message: “We’re not paying attention.” Customers rarely tell you why they’re leaving — they simply go. This issue focuses on the operational backbone that drives performance. We highlight maintenance cycles that matter, equipment checks that prevent downtime, and small adjustments that create big gains. Wellness modalities now operate year‑round and demand the same discipline as UV equipment. The operators who treat wellness rooms with the same seriousness as tanning beds are seeing the strongest growth. Fall is the industry’s critical maintenance window. A great time to replace lamps, inspect acrylics, clean filters, check fans, recalibrate timers, update software, and walk every room with a critical eye. It’s the time to verify airflow patterns, tighten cleanliness protocols, and ensure every modality is performing at full strength. When equipment is tuned and rooms are consistent, everything becomes easier — sales, retention, staffing, and customer satisfaction. Once your equipment is performing at full strength, it’s time to capitalize. Read this month’s Salon Pros content that offers practical ideas to drive Fall and holiday revenue. In a few months, the industry gathers at the Four Seasons Expo in St. Charles, Missouri, and the URI/JK Sunshine & Serenity event in Charleston, SC. Walking into those shows with a clear understanding of your equipment needs puts you in a position of strength — ready to upgrade, negotiate, and plan for the year ahead.

Continued success to all,

Joe Schuster Editor-in-Chief

SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE |

SEPTEMBER 2026

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CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2026 | VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 9

DEPARTMENT 01

Letter from the Editor

IN EVERY ISSUE 56

Sun is Life The Experts

ABOUT THE COVER

Your next season starts now. Fall is the critical window to inspect, maintain, recalibrate, and reset the equipment that powers your business. From UV beds to cutting-edge wellness modalities, peak performance doesn’t happen by chance. Get your rooms ready, eliminate downtime, protect retention, and build a stronger, more profitable year ahead.

SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE |

SEPTEMBER 2026

CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2026 | VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 9

19 41

27 36 FEATURES 10

Your Salon Is the Story We Want to Tell

To Stock or Not to Stock?

7 Questions with Heather and Brett Morris

A Seasonal Approach to Light Therapy

Peptides and Policy: Understanding the FDA’s July 2026 Vote

Salon Pros: Holiday Promotions That Actually Work

The Confident Consultant: The Team Behind Technology

Your Most Valuable Asset Doesn’t Need New Lamps

Your Clients Are Your Best Marketing Team (You Just Haven’t Trained Them Yet)

Is Your Equipment Investment Keeping Pace, or Falling Behind?

FDA and Congressional Activity Impacting the Indoor Tanning Industry

If I Secret Shopped Your Salon Tomorrow, Would I Come Back?

Stop “Until-ing” Your Salon SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE |

SEPTEMBER 2026

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION

Your Salon Is the Story We Want to Tell And we’d love to feature yours.

BY SU N I S LI FE EDITORIAL TE AM

alk through your salon for a minute.

Maybe your team is laughing between clients. Maybe you just finished setting a new retail display. Maybe you finally got that new piece of equipment installed. Maybe you’re decorating for a holiday promotion or celebrating a loyal client’s anniversary. To you, those moments probably feel ordinary. To the rest of the industry, they’re inspiring. At Sun is Life, one of our biggest goals is to showcase the real salon owners who make this industry what it is. We love sharing ideas, celebrating successes, and highlighting the people who work hard every day to create amazing experiences for their clients. That’s where you come in.

Help Us Showcase More Real Salons Whenever possible, we’d much rather fill the pages of Sun is Life with photos from real salons than stock or AI-generated images.

Nothing tells the story of this industry better than the people who live it every day. Every photo you send helps us create a magazine that’s more authentic, more relatable, and more inspiring for salon owners across the country. And yes, if we use your photo, we’ll always credit your salon. Whether your image appears with an article, in a feature, or somewhere else in the magazine, we want our readers to know where it came from.

“My Salon Isn’t Magazine Worthy.” We hear this more often than you’d think. The truth is, we’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking for real. Professional photography is wonderful, but it isn’t necessary. Today’s smartphones take amazing photos, and we’d much rather see a genuine moment inside your salon than a perfectly staged image.

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Some of our favorite submissions include things like: • Your team at work • New equipment arriving • Client appreciation events • Holiday decorations • Retail displays you’re proud of • Staff trainings • Community events • Remodeling projects • Wellness services • New product displays • Everyday life inside your salon These are the kinds of photos that spark ideas for other salon owners.

Why Your Photos Matter One of the best parts of this industry is how willing salon owners are to learn from one another. A merchandising idea. A remodel. A lobby display. A community event. Sometimes all it takes is one photo for another owner to think, “That’s a great idea. We should try that.” By sharing your salon, you’re helping someone else grow theirs.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION Orientation If possible, send us a mix of portrait and landscape photos. Having both gives our design team more flexibility when designing each issue. Editing Keep edits simple. Heavy filters, excessive sharpening, watermarks, and heavy compression don’t reproduce well in print.

Ready to Submit Your Photos?

Permissions Only submit photos you have permission to share with Sun is Life, including any staff members or clients who appear in the images.

We’ve made it easy. Simply scan the QR code below to upload your images directly to the Sun is Life editorial team. Send us your favorite photos of your salon, your staff, your equipment, your events, your retail displays, or any other moments you’re proud of. There is no limit to how many photos you can upload. The more variety we have, the more opportunities we have to feature your salon in future issues. Before uploading, please rename each file using this format: SalonName_Year_Description

Quick Submission Checklist Scan the QR code Rename your files using SalonName_Year_Description Upload high-resolution images (300 DPI preferred) Include a caption telling us: • Who is in the photo • What’s happening • Where it was taken • Photographer credit (if applicable) Make sure you have permission from anyone pictured

Examples • ParadiseTanning_2026_ StaffTraining.jpg • BronzeBodySpa_2026_ NewEquipment.jpg • SunshineTan_2026_ ClientAppreciation.jpg

Photo Submission Guidelines

This helps us stay organized and makes sure we can properly credit your salon whenever your photos are published.

Resolution • 300 DPI (PPI) is preferred. • Please avoid screenshots, blurry images, or photos downloaded from Facebook or Instagram.

Have a question? Email me anytime at aliesha@sunislife.com. While we can’t guarantee every photo will appear in the next issue, every submission is reviewed by our editorial team and may be featured in future print or digital editions of Sun is Life.

To help your photos look their best in print, here are a few recommendations from our design team.

By submitting your photos, you give Sun is Life permission to publish them in future print editions, digital editions, social media, and other promotional materials. You still own your original photographs.

Thank You Every photo you submit helps us build a magazine that truly represents this industry. It helps us celebrate salon owners, share new ideas, and fill our pages with the businesses that make indoor tanning such a unique community. We appreciate every submission, and we look forward to seeing your salon featured in a future issue of Sun is Life.

SCAN TO UPLOAD PHOTOS HERE:

File Types Preferred: • TIFF • High-quality JPEG • Also accepted: • PNG (great for logos and graphics)

SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE |

SEPTEMBER 2026

SUCCESS STORIES & INDUSTRY RECOGNITION

7 Questions with Heather and Brett Morris How one Texas salon grew from traditional tanning into a thriving wellness destination while building loyal members, investing in innovation, and never losing sight of the client experience.

BY K RI STI N LEE SMITHE RS

rett and Heather Morris are the owners of Tantalize Tanning, with locations in Galveston and Santa Fe, Texas. They opened their first salon in 2010 and expanded with a second location in 2020. Known for continually evolving beyond traditional tanning, they have built a reputation for combining cutting-edge tanning technology with wellness services, creating an experience that keeps clients coming back year after year. Their passion for innovation, education, and exceptional customer service has made Tantalize Tanning a trusted destination for both beauty and wellness.

That’s when I realized I could do what she wasn’t doing, and do it so much better. I was inspired by people telling me exactly what they wanted from their tanning salon.

to make all over again. I was also extremely fortunate to have a very accommodating fiancé, now my husband, who believed in me chasing my dreams.

I would definitely make the decision again, and again, and again. I love the industry even more than I did 17 years ago. With all the upgrades, new equipment, and new technology available, it would be an easy decision

Looking back, I think the biggest lesson is that your clients will tell you what they need if you’re willing to listen. That mindset has shaped almost every decision we’ve made since opening our doors.

1. Every successful salon has a beginning. What first inspired you to get into the tanning and wellness industry, and looking back, would you make the same decision again? Why? I worked at a tanning salon while I was in college. It was old school, cash only, turn-the-knob-to-tan type. I loved it though! The industry and the atmosphere. Yet every day I heard complaint after complaint. My boss was very disconnected. She came by, grabbed the cash, and left.

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SUCCESS STORIES & INDUSTRY RECOGNITION 2. Tantalize has evolved well beyond traditional tanning. What motivated you to expand into wellness services like red light therapy, hydration therapy, infrared sauna, teeth whitening, and photodynamic facial treatments? How has diversifying your services impacted your business? When we first opened, it was UV only, which led to sunless, and then spa services one after another. I think every time you upgrade one thing, it forces you to upgrade the next in order to keep your whole business thriving and growing. We knew we wanted to do more than just tan people. The spa services started organically, and once you realize people want more out of their tanning spa, it makes sense to give them even more than they knew existed. Opening our first salon 16 years ago, and then being the first in the area to introduce spa services, was difficult at first. You have to be extremely knowledgeable and very passionate when explaining to your clients why they need what you’re offering. That took the longest, but now those services are thriving just as much as UV tanning.

3. You offer memberships, single sessions, and weekly passes. Which packages have been the most popular with your clients, and why do you think those options resonate so well with your customer base? EFT memberships far and away surpass any other package we have or could ever offer. They carry you through the slow months, and they create loyalty that goes both ways. We want to take care of those

equipment to Joovv is a close second, but the general act of upgrading our UV beds to newer equipment will always be my favorite. It’s the easiest way for both clients and staff to see that you’re serious about reinvesting in their results and overall experience. One thing we’ve learned is that strategic upgrades don’t just improve equipment. They reinforce confidence in your brand.

members, and those members want to stay a part of what we do. It’s very relational. I think what makes memberships successful isn’t just the pricing, it’s making sure clients understand the value they’re receiving. When your team believes in the membership and can confidently explain the benefits, it becomes a solution instead of a sales pitch. That’s made a tremendous difference for us.

4. Between your Galveston and Santa Fe locations, you’ve assembled an incredible equipment lineup. Has there been one piece of equipment or one service that has consistently exceeded your expectations, either from a client satisfaction standpoint or as a business investment?

5. If you could give one piece of advice to a salon owner looking to grow from being “just a tanning salon” into more of a wellness destination, what would it be? Is there anything you wish you had done sooner? I would say to go all in. Maybe not with the most expensive version of every device all at once, but offer more than you think your clientele would want. Be knowledgeable, do as much research as possible, and reach out to people who are successful with those services so you’re always bringing the most up-to-date and accurate information to your clients.

I think every time we make an investment, we’re shocked at how well it’s received by our clients. But switching from VersaSpa Classic to VersaSpa Pro has probably made the biggest immediate difference for our clients, ourselves, and our staff. Clients immediately noticed the improved experience, and our team appreciated how much easier it was to confidently recommend and operate. Upgrading our red light

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SEPTEMBER 2026

SUCCESS STORIES & INDUSTRY RECOGNITION My first salon, she’s been through it with me. Opening at just 21 years old, getting married, having a daughter, surviving COVID shutdowns, and seeing countless staff members come and go, she’s seen it all. If my first location had a personality, I would describe it as relentless, genuine, and maybe just a little sassy. The service I would absolutely refuse to live without is the VersaSpa Pro. It would be impossible to replace. I think it sums up our business on its own. It’s not intimidating, it’s resultsdriven, and it’s as dependable as they come.

So many people have told us, “That doesn’t do well here because...” and then fill in the blank. But people want more than just looking good. They want to feel good. We have a unique ability to understand that while we are 100% a vanity industry, we can also become something our clients feel is essential. Never say never if it can make people enjoy coming into your business.

6. Running two successful locations certainly comes with challenges. What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned as business owners, and what advice would you give to someone preparing to open a second location? Staffing, staffing, staffing. While we do tend to retain the majority of our staff longer than most businesses, there will always be a revolving door. You always need to be preparing to hire and train. Being in a very tourist-driven area, where servers can make in a day what we can pay in a week, we

understand that we could lose any employee at any time. Because of that, you can’t let pay be the driving force behind your hiring decisions. Hire kindness, intelligence, and responsibility first. You can teach the rest. We’ve found that creating a positive culture, investing in training, and giving employees opportunities to grow helps people stay longer and take greater ownership of their work. The stronger your team becomes, the easier it is to successfully scale to multiple locations.

Heather and Brett’s journey is a reminder that successful salons aren’t built overnight. They’re built through a willingness to listen, adapt, reinvest, and continually raise the standard for the client experience. Whether it’s embracing new technology, expanding into wellness services, building a membership-driven business, or investing in the right people, every decision they’ve made has centered on creating long-term value for both their clients and their team.

Employees will always be the hardest part of our job. Lastly, believe in yourself. Give yourself the tools to be confident in what you’re selling, confident in what you’re talking about, and confident that you can give your clients the best experience possible with the services you’re offering.

7. Just for fun... if your salon had a personality, how would you describe it in three words, and which service would it absolutely refuse to live without?

SEPTEMBER 2026 | SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE

For salon owners preparing for their own next chapter, perhaps the biggest takeaway is this: growth doesn’t happen by standing still. It happens by staying curious, remaining committed to learning, and never being afraid to evolve alongside your clients’ needs.

INDUSTRY INTELLIGENCE & MARKET LEADERSHIP

Peptides and Policy: Understanding the FDA’s July 2026 Vote What Indoor Tanning & Wellness Center Owners Should Know About the FDA’s Latest Compounding Review BY SUN I S LI FE EDITORIAL T E AM

s more indoor tanning salons expand into wellness services, staying informed about the regulatory landscape has become just as important as staying current with new equipment and emerging wellness trends. While many salon owners do not directly prescribe or compound medications, businesses that operate with medical directors, physician affiliations, or wellness partnerships may be affected by changes in federal policy. Recent FDA activity surrounding compounded peptides is one example. Although this action is specific to 503A compounding pharmacies, its outcome could influence the availability of certain peptide-related wellness services offered through physician-supervised programs. Understanding what changed— and what did not change—can help salon owners make informed business decisions while continuing to operate within appropriate regulatory boundaries.

Background In 2010, the FDA Advisory Panel recommended banning tanning bed use for individuals under the age of 18. In early 2024, the rule was in its final stage, but last spring the FDA formally withdrew the proposed rule. This withdrawal signaled a shift in federal regulatory posture, placing greater emphasis on statelevel oversight while continuing to scrutinize wellness-adjacent claims and services. Against this backdrop, the FDA’s July 24, 2026 review of several peptide-related bulk drug substances represents another significant regulatory development for industries operating at the intersection of wellness, aesthetics, and medicaladjacent services.

What the FDA Reviewed On July 24, 2026, the FDA’s Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee met to evaluate whether six

SEPTEMBER 2026 | SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE

peptides—BPC-157, TB-500, KPV, MOTS-c, Epitalon, and Semax— should be added to the 503A Bulks List. This list determines which bulk ingredients 503A compounding pharmacies may legally use to prepare patient-specific compounded medications. The committee’s recommendations, and the FDA’s final determination, will directly influence access to these substances across the wellness sector, including indoor tanning and wellness centers that incorporate medical-adjacent services or rely on physician-affiliated compounding relationships.

Why This Matters to the Wellness Sector Over the last several years, peptideadjacent services have expanded across the wellness sector. Thousands of wellness clinics, medspas, and hybrid tanning-wellness centers

INDUSTRY INTELLIGENCE & MARKET LEADERSHIP now work with medical directors or affiliated prescribers to offer peptide consultations, recovery programs, and physician-supervised wellness plans. As more tanning businesses diversify into wellness offerings, regulatory decisions affecting compounded peptide availability may influence future service options, operational planning, and compliance considerations for businesses operating within those physiciansupervised models.

Possible Implications for Indoor Tanning & Wellness Centers 1. Access to Compounded Peptides If the FDA finalizes the panel’s recommendation, wellness centers operating under medical oversight may see expanded access to compounded peptides through 503A pharmacies. This access applies strictly to prescription-based compounding and does not authorize over-the-counter sales or general consumer distribution.

2. Impact on Service Menus and Marketing Centers may continue offering peptide-adjacent consultations under physician supervision, but marketing must remain compliant. This includes avoiding therapeutic claims, injuryrelated language, or any implication of FDA approval. Messaging should instead emphasize individualized care and general wellness positioning.

3. Regulatory Scrutiny and Compliance Exposure

Outcome Summary In July 2026, the advisory panel voted to loosen compounding restrictions on all six peptides by recommending their inclusion on the 503A Bulks List. If finalized by the FDA, this recommendation would allow 503A pharmacies to compound these substances for patient-specific prescriptions, despite FDA scientists expressing safety concerns and requesting additional data. While the advisory committee’s vote is not binding, the FDA’s final determination will ultimately establish whether these substances are added to the 503A Bulks List.

Despite the panel’s recommendation, regulatory scrutiny is expected to remain significant. FDA scientists formally objected to several peptides’ safety profiles during the review process, meaning advertising, claims, and distribution practices may continue to receive close attention. Centers should be prepared to review websites, social media content, marketing materials, and staff communication to ensure ongoing compliance.

4. Operational Adjustments Centers offering physiciansupervised wellness services may need to review intake forms, medical director protocols, and staff training to ensure operational procedures

remain aligned with applicable requirements. Non-drug wellness modalities— including red light therapy, cold therapy, PEMF, salt therapy, and sauna services—continue to serve as important components of comprehensive wellness offerings.

5. Strategic Positioning Moving Forward If finalized, this outcome may allow wellness centers operating under appropriate medical oversight to integrate peptide-adjacent services with greater confidence, provided those services remain within applicable regulatory boundaries. Peptides may be positioned as one component of a broader physiciansupervised wellness program while maintaining careful attention to compliant marketing and operational practices.

Final Thoughts As indoor tanning businesses continue expanding into wellness, regulatory awareness becomes an increasingly important part of responsible business planning. While this advisory committee vote represents an important development, salon owners should remember that compliance extends beyond product availability. Marketing language, operational procedures, physician oversight, and staff education all remain essential considerations. For businesses offering—or considering—medical-adjacent wellness services, staying informed and working closely with qualified medical and regulatory professionals will continue to be an important part of navigating an evolving regulatory environment.

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SEPTEMBER 2026

CERTIFICATION, TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Confident Consultant: The Team Behind Technology Exceptional technology deserves exceptional consultants. Here’s how ongoing training turns equipment knowledge into better client experiences and stronger business results. BY E M ILY CLEMEN TS

ven the most advanced equipment can only perform at its best when the team operating it understands how it works, why it matters, and how to confidently communicate its benefits to clients. As a salon owner or manager, your investment doesn’t stop when a new

piece of equipment is installed. Its long-term success depends on the people representing it every day. Equipment training should not be viewed as a one-time onboarding task. It should be an ongoing part of developing exceptional salon consultants. When staff understand the technology behind your services, they become better educators. Better

educators create more personalized client experiences, answer questions with confidence, and help clients navigate the full wellness ecosystem your salon has to offer. That confidence not only builds trust, but also leads to more consistent consultations, stronger service recommendations, and a better overall client experience.

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SEPTEMBER 2026

CERTIFICATION, TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Put Certification at the Center of Training One valuable way to build this foundation is through Sun Is Life certification training. Certification gives staff the opportunity to develop a stronger understanding of both UV tanning equipment and red light therapy, creating a more knowledgeable team that can confidently communicate with clients about the services they’re considering.

Go Beyond the Button As salon operators, we know there’s much more to our services than a start and stop button but does your team? Your consultants should understand the basics of what makes each piece of equipment unique. What does it do? Who is it best suited for? What should a client expect during and after a session? How does proper maintenance affect performance? What safety considerations should the team know? And perhaps most importantly, how can the consultant explain the experience in a way that makes sense to the client? This is where equipment training becomes an essential part of the consultant’s role and a valuable investment for your business. For UV tanning equipment, staff education should include understanding the differences between equipment levels, lamp technology, session times, cooling systems, the importance of following proper exposure schedules, and helping clients understand the risks of overexposure. Consultants who

understand these differences can confidently guide clients toward the equipment that best fits their individual goals while reinforcing safe, responsible tanning practices. The same level of education should extend to red light therapy. As more clients become interested in wellness-focused services, your team should understand how red light equipment works, how the experience differs from UV tanning, and how to appropriately position the service within your salon’s overall wellness offering. When consultants can clearly explain the benefits of each service, clients feel more confident in their decisions and are more likely to trust your recommendations. The goal is not to turn every employee into a service technician. The goal is to build a team that understands your equipment well enough to educate clients, recognize when something doesn’t seem right, and know when to involve management or maintenance professionals. That knowledge creates consistency across every consultation, regardless of which team member is assisting the client.

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For new employees, certification can become part of the onboarding process. For experienced team members, it serves as both a refresher and an opportunity to stay current as equipment and technology continue to evolve. Consider making certification the starting point, not the finish line. A standardized training program also helps create consistency throughout your salon. Whether a client visits on a Monday morning or a Saturday afternoon, they should receive the same accurate information and level of confidence from every consultant on your team.

Build a Culture of Continuous Learning Once a team member completes certification, use that knowledge as the foundation for ongoing education inside the salon. Schedule regular technology refreshers. Review individual pieces of equipment during team meetings. Talk through common client questions. Practice explaining the differences between services. Discuss what to look for when equipment isn’t performing as expected. When equipment knowledge becomes part of your salon culture, consultants are far more likely to use that knowledge naturally during client conversations. Investing

CERTIFICATION, TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT time in continued education also reduces knowledge gaps, improves consistency, and helps new team members become confident more quickly.

Make Equipment Training Part of Your Fall Reset Use this season to review every piece of equipment in your salon, not only from an operational perspective, but from an educational one. Walk the team through each unit. Review what has changed since the previous season. Discuss lamp replacement schedules, airflow, cleaning procedures, software updates, and preventative maintenance. Talk about any new technology that has been introduced and make sure every employee understands how to explain it to a client. Then, turn the conversation around. Ask each team member to teach you. Have every employee select one piece of equipment and explain it to the group as though they were speaking with a first-time client. Ask them to describe the experience, answer common questions, explain who would benefit most from the service, and demonstrate how they would handle common client concerns. This exercise quickly identifies knowledge gaps while building confidence and communication skills. It also reinforces an important idea: your team doesn’t need to memorize a service manual. They need to understand the information well enough to apply it confidently in real conversations with clients.

The Equipment Is Only as Strong as the Team Behind It Equipment innovation continues to move the indoor tanning and wellness

industry forward. New technology, advanced controls, updated software, and evolving wellness services create new opportunities for salons to enhance the client experience. But innovation only creates value when the team knows how to use it and how to communicate its value. A great consultant can take a technical feature and turn it into a meaningful client benefit. They understand why maintenance matters to the client experience. They make new technology feel approachable rather than intimidating. Most importantly, they create trust and trust is one of the strongest drivers of long-term client loyalty. As you complete your Fall Equipment Reset, take the opportunity to reset your team’s knowledge as well. Strengthen foundational education by taking Sun Is Life’s

classroom certification training at one of the upcoming industry expos, where operators receive hands‑on instruction across UV tanning, red light therapy, and other wellness modalities — the industry’s only classroom program offering this level of modality‑based training. Turn service manuals into structured learning resources. Build training workbooks employees can reference throughout the year. Encourage questions, celebrate curiosity, and create a culture where learning about your equipment is just as important as knowing how to operate it. Because at the end of the day, your technology may attract clients, but it’s a confident, knowledgeable consultant who keeps them coming back. For regulatory compliance, Sun Is Life also offers online UV‑only certification training at www.sunislife.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2026

BUSINESS OPERATIONS & MARKETING

Your Clients Are Your Best Marketing Team (You Just Haven’t Trained Them Yet) Every interaction in your salon is teaching clients what to say about your business. Make sure it’s a story worth sharing. BY ALIES H A CO LVIN

orking in marketing has given me a front-row seat to something I find fascinating. Two businesses can offer nearly identical products, similar pricing, and even comparable customer service, yet one becomes the place everyone recommends while the other struggles to stand out. The difference usually isn’t a bigger advertising budget. It’s the experience people have and the stories they tell afterward. As salon owners, it’s easy to think of marketing as the things you create: your social media posts, your email campaigns, your Google Business profile, or the latest promotion you’re running. Those tools absolutely matter, but they’re only one piece of the puzzle. Some of the most powerful marketing for your salon is happening when you’re not even in the room. It’s happening when one of your clients is chatting with a coworker about where they tan. It’s happening when someone asks for salon recommendations in a local Facebook group. It’s happening when a client tells her sister, “You have to try this place.” Whether you realize it or not, your clients are talking about your business every day. The question is: What are they saying?

People Don’t Recommend Businesses, They Recommend Experiences Think about the last time you told someone they had to try a local restaurant, boutique, or coffee shop. You probably didn’t lead with the price. You probably didn’t list everything on the menu. You told a story. Maybe the owner remembered your name. Maybe the service made you feel special. Maybe the atmosphere was so inviting that you couldn’t wait to go back. That’s how recommendations happen. People don’t get excited about transactions. They get excited about experiences. The same is true for your salon. Your clients probably won’t go home and tell their spouse, “I bought a new bottle of lotion today.” But they might say: “The consultant spent so much time helping me find exactly what I needed.” “That salon is always spotless.” “Everyone there is genuinely so friendly.” “I actually look forward to going because they make me feel so welcome.” Those are the stories that build reputations.

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Your Marketing Starts Before Anyone Says Hello Many business owners think marketing begins when they post on social media. I’d argue it starts much earlier. It starts the moment someone pulls into your parking lot. Before a client checks in, you’ve already started communicating something about your business. Is your storefront inviting? Does your lobby feel clean and organized? Is the music creating the atmosphere you want people to associate with your brand? Does your salon smell fresh? When someone walks through your front door, are they greeted with a smile or a staff member looking down at their phone? These may seem like small details, but together they create a first impression. And first impressions are surprisingly difficult to undo.

Your Clients Are Always Learning What to Say About You Here’s the part many businesses overlook. Every interaction teaches your clients something. You’re teaching them whether your salon feels welcoming. Whether your staff is knowledgeable. Whether your recommendations

BUSINESS OPERATIONS & MARKETING can be trusted. Whether they’re just another appointment or someone whose business genuinely matters. Those lessons eventually become conversations. Clients who consistently feel appreciated naturally become advocates for your business. They recommend your salon because they want other people to have the same positive experience they had. That’s a much stronger foundation than simply asking someone to leave a review or refer a friend.

Five Moments That Shape Your Reputation

The music. The lighting. The organization of your retail displays. Individually, these details may seem insignificant. Together, they create an experience clients associate with your brand.

The Goodbye The last interaction is just as important as the first. Instead of ending every visit with a quick “Have a great day,” make it personal.

The good news is that creating memorable experiences doesn’t require a complete business overhaul.

“I can’t wait to hear how you like that lotion.”

Most of the time, it comes down to consistently getting the little things right.

“We’ll see you next week.”

The Welcome The first thirty seconds matter. Smile. Make eye contact. If you know a client’s name, use it. A genuine welcome immediately tells someone they’re more than just another transaction.

The Consultation Education builds trust. Instead of simply recommending your most popular lotion or package, take time to understand what your client is trying to accomplish. People remember businesses that help them make informed decisions, not businesses that make them feel like they’re being sold to.

The Environment Clients notice more than you think. The cleanliness of your rooms. The scent of your salon.

“Have an amazing vacation!” Those few extra seconds often become the final impression clients leave with.

The Follow-Up Some of the strongest client relationships are built after someone walks out the door. A birthday message. A membership anniversary. A quick check-in after recommending a new product. A thank-you after someone’s first visit. These moments remind clients they’re remembered and in today’s world, that’s more meaningful than ever.

environments where people feel welcomed, educated, appreciated, and genuinely cared for. Those feelings don’t stay inside your salon. They travel. They show up in online reviews. They become recommendations in neighborhood Facebook groups. They become conversations between coworkers planning a beach vacation. They become the reason someone chooses your salon over the one down the street. In other words, your clients become your marketing team. Not because you asked them to. Because you gave them something worth talking about.

Salon Challenge This week, spend fifteen minutes looking at your salon through the eyes of a first-time client. Walk through your front door and ask yourself: Would I feel welcomed here? Would I trust the recommendations I’m receiving? Is there anything that feels cluttered, outdated, or overlooked? What would I tell a friend after visiting this salon?

Your Experience Is Your Greatest Advertisement

If I were seeing this business for the first time, what would stand out most?

Advertising can introduce someone to your salon.

Then choose just one thing to improve.

But it’s the experience that determines whether they return— and whether they bring someone with them.

Not ten.

The salons that consistently grow aren’t always the ones spending the most on marketing. More often, they’re the ones creating

Just one. Over time, those small, intentional improvements create something much bigger: a client experience people can’t help but talk about. And that’s the kind of marketing no advertising budget can compete with.

SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE |

SEPTEMBER 2026

INDUSTRY INTELLIGENCE & MARKET LEADERSHIP

FDA and Congressional Activity Impacting the Indoor Tanning Industry What All Salon Owners’ Need to Know Now

BY SUN I S LI FE EDITORIAL T E AM

Overview As of mid-2026, no new federal restrictions have been enacted for indoor tanning. However, both the FDA and Congress remain active in discussions that could affect the industry. The regulatory environment is paused, not relaxed, and future action is still possible. While there are no immediate changes requiring operators to alter their day-to-day business practices, understanding the current regulatory landscape can help salon owners stay informed and prepared should future federal activity occur.

FDA Activity (2026) Withdrawal of the Proposed Minor Ban On March 16, 2026, the FDA withdrew its proposed nationwide rule that would have: • Banned indoor tanning for all minors • Required adult riskacknowledgment forms • Required operators to provide user manuals on request • This withdrawal was procedural— not a reversal of the FDA’s position on UV risk. FDA’s Stated Position After Withdrawal The FDA made clear that: • UV radiation remains a cancercausing hazard • The withdrawal does not change the science • The agency is reassessing regulatory strategy

• It may reinstitute rulemaking on the same issues This means the FDA may still consider new regulations. It is simply no longer doing so under the withdrawn rule. Potential Future FDA Actions Based on current signals, future rulemaking could include: • Revised minor restrictions • Updated device risk classification • Strengthened warning-label standards • Enhanced operator-manual requirements • AI-image transparency requirements The FDA is regrouping, not retreating.

Congressional Activity Update No Active Federal Legislation As of this writing, Congress currently has no active bills directly regulating indoor tanning devices or facilities. However, Congress continues to face increasing pressure from medical groups. Dermatology, oncology, and cancer-prevention organizations continue lobbying Congress for: • A federal minor ban • Stronger UV-device classification • Nationalized warning-label standards These groups publicly criticized the FDA’s withdrawal and are pushing Congress to intervene.

The federal strategy has usually been to defer to the states, and Congress may continue to rely on state-level regulation, including: • Full minor bans in CA, IL, KS, MN, DE, and DC • Parental-consent models in other states • Enforcement gaps in permissive states However, no federal override is currently planned.

What This Means for Our Industry Short-Term • No new federal restrictions • State-level tightening likely • FDA scrutiny remains high • Compliance alignment remains essential Long-Term • FDA may restart rulemaking • Congress may act if pressured • Medical-group lobbying will continue • Industry should expect renewed regulatory activity in 2027–2028 The FDA’s withdrawal created a temporary pause, not a regulatory retreat. Both the FDA and Congress remain engaged, and future action is still possible. For salon owners, the key takeaway is to remain informed, continue following applicable federal and state requirements, and be prepared should future regulatory activity affect the industry. Sun Is Life will continue to monitor federal and state developments and keep the industry updated as new information emerges.

SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE |

SEPTEMBER 2026

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BUSINESS OPERATIONS & MARKETING

Stop “Until-ing” Your Salon Why Waiting for the Perfect Moment May Be Holding Your Business Back BY M AC KEN ZI E MORRIS

However, it’s equally important to recognize when legitimate planning quietly turns into hesitation.

“I’ll invest in that new equipment once revenue increases.”

When Caution Becomes Comfort

“I’ll wait until after busy season to train my staff.”

One pattern I’ve consistently observed while working with business owners is that they don’t avoid change because they lack ambition. They avoid it because change introduces uncertainty.

ow many times in your businesses life span have you caught yourself saying:

“I’ll launch that wellness service once I have more confidence.” “I’ll raise my prices...eventually.” If you’ve owned a salon for any length of time, you’ve probably caught yourself thinking there’s a “right” time to make an important business decision. Through my work helping businesses grow and strengthen their brands, I’ve seen this pattern across countless industries, including the indoor tanning industry. We tell ourselves we’ll act after one more profitable month, one more busy season, or one more milestone. But sometimes, “until” becomes more than a timeline, it becomes a habit. Certainly, some business decisions require careful planning and financial preparation. Responsible owners should evaluate investments, understand their numbers, and consider timing.

Adding a new wellness service means learning something new. Hiring another employee means trusting someone else with your business. Updating pricing means wondering how clients will respond. Expanding your marketing means putting your brand in front of more people. Those aren’t just operational decisions—they’re leadership decisions. And leadership often requires moving forward before every answer is known. Sometimes the biggest obstacle isn’t whether the decision is right. It’s wondering what happens after you make it.

Growth Requires New Responsibilities Every growing business eventually reaches a point where the next level requires a different version of its leader. For salon owners, that next step may look different than it does in other industries, but the principle remains the same. That next level might include: • Leading a larger team. • Managing additional services. • Investing in new equipment. • Expanding into wellness offerings. • Delegating responsibilities instead of doing everything yourself. Growth is exciting but it also comes with greater responsibility. It’s natural to feel uncertain about stepping into unfamiliar territory. The owners who continue growing aren’t necessarily the ones who have all the answers. They’re the ones willing to make thoughtful decisions even when every variable isn’t guaranteed.

Waiting Has a Cost Every business decision involves risk. The question isn’t whether risk exists. The question is whether the cost of

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SEPTEMBER 2026

BUSINESS OPERATIONS & MARKETING From Waiting to Leading

waiting is greater than the cost of moving forward.

One thing I’ve admired about many of the salon owners I’ve worked with is their willingness to adapt. The businesses that continue growing aren’t always the ones with the largest budgets or the newest equipment. More often, they’re led by owners who evaluate opportunities carefully, make informed decisions, and choose progress over perfection.

Waiting to improve staff education may delay better client experiences. Waiting to refresh your marketing may allow competitors to capture attention. Waiting to introduce new services may postpone opportunities to increase revenue and strengthen client retention.

The indoor tanning and wellness industry continues to evolve. Consumer expectations change, technology advances, and new opportunities emerge every year.

While patience can be a valuable business strategy, unnecessary hesitation can quietly limit growth.

Turning “Someday” Into a Plan If you find yourself repeatedly saying, “I’ll do that later,” it may be worth asking yourself a few questions: • Am I waiting because additional planning is genuinely needed? • Or am I postponing a decision because it feels uncomfortable? • What information do I still need? • What is one step I could take this month instead of waiting indefinitely? Often, progress begins with one intentional action rather than one perfect moment.

Invest in Growth Before You Feel Ready One thing I’ve learned from working with successful business owners is that one of the greatest investments they make isn’t always equipment, it’s education. For salon owners, that education might come from attending industry events, learning from fellow operators, participating in manufacturer training, or staying current on emerging wellness trends. • Attend industry events. • Participate in training. • Learn from successful operators. • Stay informed about new

technologies and wellness trends. • Build relationships with professionals who challenge you to think differently. Knowledge builds confidence, and confidence often comes from experience. Not the other way around.

There May Never Be a Perfect Time Nearly every successful business owner can point to a decision they made before they felt completely ready. For many salon owners, those moments include: • Opening a salon. • Hiring the first employee. • Purchasing a new bed. • Adding wellness services. • Signing a larger lease. • Launching a new marketing campaign. Rarely do those moments arrive with complete certainty. More often, confidence grows after the decision has been made and the work begins.

SEPTEMBER 2026 | SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE

So if you’ve been telling yourself, “I’ll do it when...” consider whether that timeline is based on sound business planning—or simply on waiting for a level of certainty that may never come. Sometimes the next step in growing your salon isn’t waiting for the perfect moment. It’s deciding that today’s preparation is what creates tomorrow’s opportunity.

Keep Growing Every successful salon owner can look back and point to one decision that changed the trajectory of their business. Rarely was that decision made because the timing was perfect. It was made because they were willing to move forward with intention. As you prepare for your next busy season, ask yourself: What have I been “until-ing” in my business? Whether it’s investing in your team, refining your marketing, introducing a new service, or making a longoverdue business decision, don’t let hesitation keep your salon from reaching its next level.

INDUSTRY ESSENTIALS & RESOURCE HUB

To Stock or Not to Stock? Finding the Right Balance for Your Lotion Inventory BY QU IN N CO O PER

ver the years, one topic seems to surface in salon owner groups again and again, especially as business slows after the busy season: How much lotion should I actually keep in stock? Some owners swear that back stock is simply money sitting on a shelf. Others refuse to let their best-selling lotions run out, believing every stockout is a missed opportunity. Both

approaches have produced success stories, which makes it easy to see why there isn’t a universal answer. But while opinions vary, inventory management has been studied for decades, and retail experts have developed proven principles for determining how much inventory businesses should carry. The answer, perhaps unsurprisingly,

lies somewhere in the middle. Retail experts don’t measure success by having the least inventory or the most inventory. Instead, they focus on three key metrics: inventory turnover, service level, and cash flow. Finding the right balance between those three is what separates a healthy retail operation from one that is constantly chasing sales or tying up unnecessary cash.

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SEPTEMBER 2026

INDUSTRY ESSENTIALS & RESOURCE HUB Research consistently shows that when customers can’t purchase the product they came in for, many either buy a competing brand or leave without purchasing anything at all. In a salon, that doesn’t just mean losing a single lotion sale. It can also mean losing future lotion sales, reducing confidence in your retail selection, or encouraging customers to buy online instead. If your best-selling lotion is unavailable for several days every month because you’re ordering too lean, those missed opportunities often cost more than carrying a few extra bottles. The goal isn’t to have the least amount of inventory possible. It’s to minimize stockouts while avoiding excessive inventory that sits for months.

Let Your Sales Determine Your Inventory Once you understand that both overbuying and underbuying have real costs, the next question becomes: How do you decide which products deserve the most shelf space?

Inventory Is Both an Asset and a Liability One of the biggest misconceptions in retail is that inventory is either an asset or a liability. The truth is, it’s both. Inventory is an asset because it has the potential to generate revenue. At the same time, it becomes a liability when it sits too long. Every bottle on your shelf represents money that cannot be used elsewhere in your business until that product sells. According to inventory management

principles used throughout retail, every product carries a holding cost. That cost includes the money invested in purchasing it, storage space, insurance, shrinkage, damaged packaging, and the possibility that it will eventually need to be discounted or expire. Most retail experts estimate annual inventory carrying costs between 20% and 30% of the inventory’s value. In other words, overbuying absolutely can reduce profitability. However, underbuying creates another expense that many salon owners never calculate.

SEPTEMBER 2026 | SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE

One of the oldest and most widely taught inventory management systems is called ABC Analysis. Rather than treating every product equally, it recognizes that different products deserve different stocking levels based on demand. Your A products are your highestvolume sellers that generate the majority of your retail revenue. Running out of these products has the greatest impact on sales, so they deserve your highest inventory levels. B products are consistent sellers that move regularly but not at the same pace. These typically require moderate inventory. Finally, C products include specialty lotions, niche products, or items purchased infrequently. These often

INDUSTRY ESSENTIALS & RESOURCE HUB only require a single bottle in stock or can even be special ordered as needed. If you’ve ever looked at your retail reports and noticed that a relatively small number of lotions account for most of your lotion sales, you’ve already seen ABC Analysis working without even realizing it. Another measurement retailers use is inventory turnover, which simply measures how often you completely sell through your inventory over the course of a year. Higher turnover generally indicates healthier inventory because products are moving rather than collecting dust. Although many tanning lotions have a shelf life of around two years when stored properly, that doesn’t mean they should spend anywhere close to that amount of time sitting on your retail shelves. A more conservative approach often benefits salons by keeping products fresh and current. Moving inventory within six months helps reduce the chances of damaged packaging, discontinued products, ingredient degradation, and expired inventory while ensuring customers consistently see a clean, up-to-date retail display. Another factor that’s often overlooked during inventory discussions is supplier lead time. A salon receiving distributor shipments the next day can comfortably operate with much lower inventory than a salon waiting four or five business days for an order to arrive. The longer your lead time, the more safety stock you generally need to protect yourself from stockouts. That’s not poor inventory management—it’s simply planning around your supply chain. For most salons, this creates a practical framework rather than a one-size-fits-all rule. Your fastestselling lotions may justify keeping four to eight bottles available, steady sellers may only require

two to four bottles, while specialty products can often be limited to a single bottle or ordered upon request. Reviewing inventory weekly and reordering before you’re completely out helps maintain availability without allowing products to linger on the shelf.

Turning Slow Movers into Sales Of course, even with the best planning, every salon eventually ends up with a few products that simply didn’t move the way they expected. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve made a bad purchasing decision—it simply means it’s time to get creative. Instead of heavily discounting individual bottles, consider increasing their perceived value. Bundle slower-moving lotions with complementary products, pair them with free or discounted services, or include them in limited-time promotions. Anniversary sales, Pink Wednesday events, and seasonal clearance promotions are all excellent opportunities to refresh your retail shelves without training customers to wait for constant discounts. Moving inventory is almost always better than letting it age. Products that sit for months tie up cash, occupy valuable shelf space, and eventually become much harder to sell as new product launches capture your customers’ attention.

When Stockouts Happen On the flip side, if you do happen to run out of a product, don’t simply tell your customer it’s unavailable. Offer to special order it immediately while they’re still excited about the purchase, complete the sale, and let them know you’ll contact them as

soon as it arrives. Most customers appreciate the extra effort, and it helps prevent them from turning to online retailers or competitors. Having a clear special-order process ensures that an occasional stockout doesn’t automatically become a lost sale.

The Goal Isn’t Full Shelves. It’s Smart Shelves. Ultimately, inventory management isn’t about having the fullest shelves or the emptiest stock room. It’s about understanding your sales patterns, knowing your suppliers, monitoring inventory turnover, and keeping enough product available to support the customer experience without tying up unnecessary cash. When inventory is managed intentionally instead of emotionally, it stops being money sitting on a shelf and starts becoming one of the strongest profit drivers in your salon.

SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE |

SEPTEMBER 2026

WELLNESS TRANSFORMATION & EDUCATION

A Seasonal Approach to Light Therapy Helping clients transition into fall with intentional light exposure . BY KRIST IN LEE S MIT H ER S , CLT

PHOTO CREDIT: ENVATO.COM

SEPTEMBER 2026 | SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE

WELLNESS TRANSFORMATION & EDUCATION

s summer gives way to fall, our routines naturally begin to change. We swap flipflops for sweaters, spend less time outdoors, and start preparing for the cooler months ahead. One of the biggest changes, however, often goes unnoticed: our exposure to light. With shorter days and earlier sunsets, many of us spend significantly more time indoors under artificial lighting. While we cannot replace the sun, today’s indoor tanning and wellness facilities have a unique opportunity to educate clients about the different types of light available and how each may support their cosmetic and wellness goals throughout the changing seasons. As salon owners, fall isn’t just the perfect time to reset our equipment. It’s also the perfect time to reset the conversation. Instead of simply asking clients what service they would like today, consider asking, “What are you hoping to accomplish?” That small shift allows you to recommend services based on their goals rather than the equipment itself. Understanding the purpose of each wavelength allows salon professionals to confidently recommend services that align with those individual goals while helping clients better understand the value of the treatments available to them.

Not All Light Is Created Equal Different wavelengths interact with the body in different ways, and understanding those differences helps clients make informed decisions. UV Light (280 to 400 nm) Ultraviolet light remains the foundation of the indoor tanning

industry. UVB wavelengths (280–315 nm) support the tanning process, while UVA wavelengths (315–400 nm) are primarily responsible for the oxidation and darkening of melanin, producing cosmetic color.

Blue light can be a valuable addition to a skin‑care routine for those looking to support clearer, healthier‑looking skin.

As outdoor UV exposure naturally decreases during the fall, many clients appreciate maintaining a consistent tanning schedule instead of trying to build color quickly before a vacation or special event. This season is also an excellent opportunity to reinforce proper tanning schedules, hydration, and responsible exposure practices.

Green light is an emerging area of interest within cosmetic photobiomodulation. While research continues to evolve, green wavelengths are often used to support a calming treatment experience and to help clients feel more relaxed while enhancing the appearance of balanced‑looking skin tone. As schedules become busier heading into the holiday season, many clients appreciate having a quiet place to unwind.

Blue Light (405 to 470 nm) Blue light is commonly incorporated into cosmetic light‑therapy experiences designed for blemish‑prone skin. After a summer filled with sunscreen, sweat, humidity, and increased oil production, some clients may notice seasonal changes in their complexion.

Green Light (520 to 565 nm)

Amber Light (570 to 620 nm) Amber, sometimes called yellow light, is frequently used in cosmetic light‑therapy environments to support hydrated, radiant‑looking skin and to reduce the appearance of

SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE |

SEPTEMBER 2026

WELLNESS TRANSFORMATION & EDUCATION

redness. As cooler temperatures and lower humidity begin drying out the skin, amber light can complement a client’s seasonal skin‑care routine. Red Light (620 to 700 nm) Red light therapy is one of the most recognized cosmetic light modalities. Most wellness systems utilize wavelengths around 630, 633, 660, or 670 nm. These wavelengths are commonly used to support smoother‑looking skin, enhance overall skin appearance, and provide a relaxing wellness experience. As clients notice seasonal dryness or simply want to maintain healthy‑looking skin throughout the colder months, red light therapy often becomes a valuable part of their routine. Near Infrared Light (700 to 1100 nm) Although invisible to the human eye, near infrared light is widely used in wellness environments for its warming, comfort‑focused experience. Many systems utilize

wavelengths such as 810, 830, 850, 904, or 940 nm. These wavelengths are commonly incorporated into sessions designed to support relaxation and overall comfort — especially as clients tackle fall yard work, return to school sports, or simply feel the effects of cooler temperatures.

Building Intentional Service Plans One of the greatest opportunities for salon professionals is moving beyond recommending individual pieces of equipment and instead helping clients build intentional routines. Someone maintaining a tan may also benefit from red light therapy to support healthy skin. An athlete may pair tanning with near infrared sessions to support recovery. Another client may simply be looking for a relaxing experience after a long workday. The recommendation should always begin with the client’s goal.

SEPTEMBER 2026 | SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE

As our industry continues to evolve, education remains one of our greatest strengths. Clients want to understand what they’re using, why they’re using it, and how often they should incorporate it into their routine. When staff members can confidently explain the purpose of different wavelengths and recommend services based on individual needs, they build trust that extends far beyond a single visit. The seasons may change, but the importance of light remains constant. By helping clients understand the unique benefits of UV, blue, green, amber, red, and near infrared light, salons can transform routine appointments into meaningful wellness experiences. This fall, don’t just reset your equipment. Reset the conversation, and let education become one of the most valuable services you provide.

DON'T JUST ADD ANOTHER SERVICE. ADD A REASON FOR THEM TO VISIT.

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SALON PROS Holiday Promotions That Actually Work Six Salon Pros Share Their Best Strategies for Driving Fall & Holiday Revenue BY J O E S CH U ST ER

ith equipment performing at its best and fall maintenance nearly complete, the next opportunity is turning that operational strength into revenue. While many salon owners focus on preparing their equipment for busy season, the most successful salons know that holiday sales don’t happen by accident, they’re the result of months of planning, intentional marketing, and a team that’s ready to execute. September is the ideal time to begin laying the groundwork. From planning Pink Week and holiday promotions to ordering inventory, training staff, creating marketing campaigns, and building excitement long before the first sale begins, the decisions made now will shape your fourth-quarter success. To help you prepare, we asked several of our Salon Pros to share the strategies that have consistently helped them increase traffic, strengthen customer loyalty, and maximize holiday revenue. While each salon has developed its own unique traditions, you’ll notice several common themes throughout their advice: start early, create anticipation, engage your staff, and give your clients a reason to keep coming back. Whether you’re hosting your very first Pink Week or looking for fresh ideas to elevate an established holiday tradition, these proven strategies are designed to help you finish the year stronger than ever.

Victoria Cordes Bear Naked Tanning Preparing early for big events like Pink Wednesday is one of the biggest keys to having a successful event. The earlier you start planning, the better the outcome. By October, we already have our sales finalized, pricing set, and the theme picked out. Key staff member Megan Allen begins working on our promotional video while we’re designing flyers, postcards, and all of our marketing materials. Starting November 1, we completely transform our salons with overthe-top pink Christmas décor. And when I say we go all out...I mean ALL OUT! The decorations naturally get customers asking, “Why is everything pink?” which opens the door for conversations about our upcoming Pink Week and Pink Wednesday event. We also place postcards on every tanning bed, distribute them to surrounding businesses, and have our staff wearing Pink Week shirts all

month long. It creates excitement and keeps the event top of mind without giving everything away. One thing we’ve learned over the years is not to announce the actual sale details too early. If customers know exactly what’s coming a month in advance, many will stop purchasing and simply wait for the event. While that may increase event-day sales, it can significantly hurt your overall November revenue. We typically reveal the deals only a couple of weeks beforehand to build anticipation while still maintaining business throughout the month.

SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE |

SEPTEMBER 2026

SALON PROS Another strategy that’s been incredibly successful for us is creating urgency with doorbusters and “First 10 Customers” gifts or exclusive surprises. Giving customers a reason to be there right when the doors open creates excitement and energy throughout the day.

making the day genuinely fun. Their excitement becomes contagious, and our customers feed off that energy.

Last year, we introduced something new—our VIP Pink Pass—and it exceeded every expectation. Beginning November 1, customers could purchase a limited VIP pass for just $15, which included:

You’ve heard the saying, “If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.” I can definitely relate. More times than I’d like to admit, I’ve thought I was fully prepared, only to realize halfway through an event or sale that I could have done so much better.

Early access to Pink Wednesday deals one full week before everyone else A special surprise gift Access to newly released lotions that weren’t available on Pink Wednesday One FREE WellFit Hydrate session A more relaxed shopping experience before the crowds We limited the passes to just 15 per salon, and they sold out incredibly fast. The VIP event solved several challenges at once. It allowed us to: See which lotions and promotions customers were most excited about.

Nikki Capps Tantilizing Tans

After 16 years in business, we’re still going strong—but every year teaches me something new. One area I’ve focused on the most over the past few years is preparing for events and sales. When National Spray Tan Day became a nationwide collaboration, it made a huge impact on the success of our event because salons across the country were advertising and talking about it together. Pink Wednesday, which has now evolved into Pink Week, has really started to catch on. I truly believe that if even more salons participate, we can turn it into a nationally recognized event that benefits everyone.

Place additional inventory orders before Pink Wednesday.

Creating an event that generates excitement and meaningful revenue doesn’t happen by accident—it takes planning.

Work through any pricing or POS issues before the big event.

Start by asking yourself a few questions:

Give our staff a chance to practice the promotions before the busiest day of the year.

Will your event last one day or several days? We’ve found that one day isn’t enough, but a full week is too much. For us, three to four days seems to be the sweet spot.

It essentially became our dress rehearsal before the main event. Every year our Pink Wednesday continues to grow. Our staff fully embraces the theme by dressing in as much pink as possible, decorating, and

Will you have a theme beyond just Pink Week? Are you going to create event T-shirts for your staff? Last year, we held a

SEPTEMBER 2026 | SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE

design contest among our team, then had everyone vote for their favorite. It was a fun way to build excitement before the event even started. What specials will you offer? “Tan Till the End of the Year” is always a customer favorite. We also offer a special All-Access Membership designed for guests who want to enjoy our services year-round. It requires a 12-month commitment with no freezing or canceling, and it has been one of our most successful promotions. What lotion specials will you run? Consider offering free tanning with the purchase of select lotions. It’s a great promotion because it adds value without discounting your retail products. Will you offer a free gift card with qualifying purchases? If so, require it to be redeemed during a slower time of year—January, for example—to help drive traffic before busy season begins. Next, consider your marketing. Where are you going to advertise? Will you invest in paid social media or Google Ads? If so, what’s your budget? Will you visit local businesses with flyers or partner with businesses in your community to help spread the word? Most importantly, what are you going to do to build excitement with both your current clients and potential new customers? Make sure all of your marketing— social media, flyers, emails, in-store signage, and paid advertising—shares a consistent look and message. That consistency builds recognition, reinforces your brand, and creates excitement leading up to the event. We still have time to prepare, so let’s make the most of it. If we all start promoting Pink Week now and flood social media with fun, creative

SALON PROS content, we can create excitement across the country, fill our salons with new and returning clients, and make this the best Pink Week yet.

Lori VanDeWall The Beach House Tanning Salon Holiday Promotion Planning September is the ideal time to begin planning your holiday marketing strategy. Preparing early allows you to build excitement, create anticipation on social media, and have your salon fully decorated and ready before the busy holiday season begins. At The Beach House, we focus on three signature holiday promotions that consistently increase client traffic, boost sales, and create memorable experiences. Pink Week Our first major event is Pink Week, held during Thanksgiving week (Monday through Sunday). Each year we choose a unique theme that transforms the entire salon into an immersive experience. This year’s theme is Pink in the City, inspired by Sex and the City. Every room and our reception area radiate pink while capturing the style and sophistication of Carrie Bradshaw and her iconic friends—Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda. Daily promotions are inspired by the show’s characters and memorable New York City locations, while sneak peeks, countdowns, and social media videos build excitement leading up to the event. For us, Pink Week isn’t just about offering discounts—it’s about creating an experience our clients remember and look forward to every year. Holiday Giveaway Event

Immediately following Pink Week, we kick off our December promotions. From December 1–12, we celebrate 12 Days of Our Team’s Favorite Things, inspired by Oprah’s “Favorite Things.” Each day features one employee’s favorite item. Every client who visits receives an entry to win that day’s prize, and any purchase earns an additional entry. The prizes aren’t necessarily salonrelated—they’re simply items our team genuinely loves. That personal connection helps clients get to know our staff while making each day’s giveaway feel unique. From December 13–24, we transition into our 12 Days of Christmas, featuring a new luxury giveaway and an exclusive daily promotion. The changing prizes and specials encourage clients to visit the salon multiple times throughout the holiday season. It’s also our opportunity to spoil our loyal clients a little and thank them for supporting us throughout the year. Golden Ticket Event To close out the year, we host our Golden Ticket Event from December 27–January 1, inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We sell a limited number—typically 100 to 125 Hershey’s candy bars—for $40 each, with a prize hidden inside every wrapper. Most tickets are redeemable for three UV tanning or wellness sessions (valued at $120), while a select few contain a coveted Golden Ticket redeemable for one year of Limited & Luxury Tanning or one year of Spa Services, with the winner choosing their preferred prize. Winners have one year to redeem their prize. One of my favorite parts is that I never tell my team how many Golden Tickets are hidden. They get to experience the

excitement right alongside our clients. Limiting the number of candy bars creates urgency, and this promotion has consistently become one of our most successful year-end events. These three holiday campaigns have become annual traditions for our salon. Together, they increase revenue, encourage repeat visits, strengthen client loyalty, inspire holiday cheer, and create experiences our clients genuinely look forward to every holiday season.

Vic Perrin Total Tan After more than 30 years in retail, I’ve learned just how important seasonal promotions are to growing both revenue and profitability. Capitalizing on holidays, seasonal demand, and special events is vital to the long-term success of any business. Many salon owners—and my fellow Salon Pros—have developed outstanding strategies around Pink Week and Black Friday, so I’ll leave those ideas to them. Instead, I’d like to share one of the easiest promotions we’ve found to consistently generate additional sales. Our loyal clients already buy our goods and services, but we have to give them reasons to keep coming back. We love surprising them with seasonal decorations, giveaways, in-store events, thank-you gifts, and simple “Free with Purchase” promotions. The best part? They’re incredibly easy to create. Look for inexpensive items from your lotion supplier, local dollar store, online retailers, or even local craft vendors. Interestingly, I suggest choosing items that have nothing to do with tanning. Jewelry, candy,

SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE |

SEPTEMBER 2026

SALON PROS cosmetics, toiletries, fragrances, Christmas ornaments, or stocking stuffers often create far more excitement because they’re unexpected. Choose the retail product you want to promote, bundle it with the free item, build an attractive display, and clearly communicate the value with signage. Just be sure to include the cost of the free item when determining your promotional pricing so the offer remains profitable. When your staff enthusiastically presents these promotions, you’ll often generate purchases from clients who had no intention of buying anything during that visit. It also gives your team something fresh and exciting to talk about, which naturally increases engagement and enthusiasm. Don’t overlook your tanning suppliers either. Many offer travel bags, sunglasses, cosmetics, hair care products, and specialty retail items that make excellent seasonal gifts. Select products you genuinely like, get creative with pricing and presentation, and you may be surprised how many regular clients enjoy doing a little holiday shopping during their salon visit. Good luck, and Happy Fall!

Emily Sigmon Owner, Carolina Tan & Wellness

signature events—Free Tan Days, Free Spray Day, and Free Spa Days. Each event offers exclusive Pink Week VIP tickets along with a few fun clues about that year’s theme, creating anticipation long before the sale begins. VIP tickets are only available during these events and, if any remain, beginning November 1.

For 2026, our Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend theme, inspired by Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, became even more exciting through a partnership with a local jewelry store. One lucky VIP winner will receive a genuine diamond pendant necklace. We also keep Pink Week top of mind in a simple—but incredibly effective—way every Wednesday. Our team swaps their traditional black uniforms for pink and wears signs that read:

This year’s $20 VIP Ticket includes: Enhanced Pink Week discounts Exclusive early access the Saturday before the sale Entry into our grand prize drawing

At Carolina Tan & Wellness, holiday promotions like Pink Week aren’t sales we throw together in November. They’re something we build excitement for all year long. What began as a one-day Pink Wednesday event has grown into an entire week of celebration during Thanksgiving week, and our preparation starts months in advance.

“Ask us why on Wednesdays we wear pink.” It sparks conversations, builds curiosity, and reminds clients that our biggest event of the year is always just around the corner.

Michelle Walter Island Glow After 16 years in business, I’ve learned that every Pink Week looks a little different. The industry changes, customer buying habits evolve, and honestly, I’ve changed as a business owner. For years, I believed the bigger the discount, the bigger the success. In 2025, everything changed.

Throughout the year, we host three

SEPTEMBER 2026 | SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE

SALON PROS to understand, easy for customers to follow, and easy for us to execute. That allowed our team to focus less on remembering complicated rules and more on creating an exceptional customer experience. I wish each of you the very best as you prepare for your own Pink Week this year.

Instead of asking, “How can we make this the biggest sale ever?” I asked a different question: “How can we create the most excitement while protecting the longterm health of the business?” That shift in thinking changed everything. One of my favorite sayings is, “Early is on time. On time is late.” One of the biggest mistakes I see businesses make is waiting until the week of their sale to start talking about it. We begin building anticipation at the beginning of November by sending teaser emails that hint at Pink Week without revealing the actual promotions. Inside the salons, colorful flyers and large posters remind clients that something exciting is coming. We even display signage outside each location to spark curiosity from passing traffic.

are booked online, we add a website pop-up announcing that Pink Week is almost here. The biggest addition to our 2025 strategy was an Early Access Pass. For $15, customers could purchase a limited number of Pink Week passes the week before the event, giving them exclusive access while creating excitement and generating revenue before the official sale even began. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to follow the KISS Principle: Keep It Simple. Complex promotions may sound exciting, but they’re often difficult for staff to remember and confusing for customers to follow. Keeping each day focused on one primary promotion made execution smoother for everyone. Our schedule looked like this: Day One: Package Day Day Two: Retail Day

Every year, I design a custom Pink Week T-shirt exclusively for our team. Those shirts become walking advertisements all month long. Instead of paying for another advertisement, our staff becomes the marketing. About one week before Pink Week, we shift into high gear. Meta campaigns on Facebook and Instagram become highly targeted using geographic audiences around each salon location. Google advertising increases, and because nearly all of our appointments

Day Three: BOGO Retail Day Day Four: Membership Day Day Five: Yearly Membership Celebration Looking back, the greatest success wasn’t just the revenue. It was the simplicity.

Final Thoughts If there’s one lesson that connects every Salon Pro featured here, it’s that successful holiday promotions begin long before the first customer walks through the door. Whether it’s creating VIP experiences, building anticipation through marketing, designing memorable themes, simplifying promotions for your staff, or finding creative ways to reward loyal clients, each contributor shares a common philosophy: planning creates profit. While every salon’s market, clientele, and budget may be different, the principles remain the same. Start early. Train your team. Create excitement instead of simply offering discounts. Give clients an experience they’ll remember, and they’ll return long after the holiday season has ended. As you prepare for the busiest months of the year, remember that your promotions don’t have to look exactly like anyone else’s. Take the ideas that fit your salon, adapt them to your community, and make them your own. The most successful holiday traditions all started with one salon owner willing to try something new. Here’s to a successful fall, a recordbreaking Pink Week, and finishing the year stronger than ever.

The promotions were easy for my staff

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CERTIFICATION, TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Your Most Valuable Asset Doesn’t Need New Lamps Preparing Your Team for Success Before the Busy Season Returns BY Q U IN N CO O PER

s summer comes to an end, many salon owners begin preparing their businesses for the busy season ahead. Lamps are evaluated, acrylics are deep cleaned, bed filters are washed, spray tanning equipment is serviced, software is updated, and preventative maintenance becomes a priority. These annual tasks are essential to keeping equipment performing at its best. However, one of the most valuable assets in any salon often receives far less attention during a seasonal reset: the staff. Late summer and early fall naturally bring slower traffic to many salons. Unfortunately, slower days are sometimes viewed as lost time rather than valuable preparation time. While fewer clients may walk through the door, those quieter days create something that is often difficult to find during peak season; time. Time allows staff members to slow down, have meaningful conversations with clients, strengthen product knowledge, improve technical skills, and complete projects that become nearly impossible once appointment schedules begin filling again. Consider creating a simple fourweek Fall Training Plan, assigning one area of focus each week, product education, consultation skills, equipment knowledge, and operational procedures, to ensure

your team enters the busy season confident and prepared.

Shift Conversations from Transactions to Solutions One of the greatest advantages of the slower season is shifting the focus from simply completing transactions to understanding client goals. Rather than beginning every interaction with questions about what service a client wants to use, conversations can instead focus on what the client hopes to accomplish. Some may be preparing for a vacation, while others may be concerned about dry seasonal skin, muscle recovery, relaxation, or maintaining results throughout the colder months.

Those conversations naturally lead to more personalized recommendations because they focus on solving concerns rather than selling products. Clients are far more likely to trust recommendations when they feel understood, and that trust often translates into stronger retail sales, increased service utilization, higher membership conversions, and longterm loyalty.

Invest in Ongoing Education Fall also presents an ideal opportunity to revisit staff education. Even experienced employees benefit from reviewing training materials. As knowledge and experience grow, employees often gain new insights

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SEPTEMBER 2026

CERTIFICATION, TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT from information they have already learned. Concepts that seemed basic during initial onboarding frequently take on new meaning after months of working with clients and equipment. Manufacturer training, lotion education, membership reviews, wellness protocols, and educational resources such as Sun Is Life’s classroom certification programs can all serve as valuable refreshers. The classroom program provides hands‑on instruction across UV tanning, red light, and other cosmetic light modalities, while the online certification remains focused on UV‑only content for regulatory compliance. Continuous education helps ensure recommendations remain consistent, accurate, and rooted in confidence rather than memorization.

Cross-Train for a Stronger Operation

operation while giving employees productive ways to use slower shifts.

The slower season also provides an excellent opportunity to expand operational knowledge. Crosstraining employees on equipment maintenance not only protects the salon’s investment but also creates a stronger sense of ownership among the team. Staff members can learn how to remove and clean bed filters, safely remove acrylics for deep cleaning, properly maintain spray tanning equipment, identify preventative maintenance concerns, and better understand the technology they work with every day.

Build Consultants, Not Order Takers

Build Learning Into Your Culture Training becomes even more effective when it is engaging. Friendly competitions can encourage participation while reinforcing product knowledge and consultation skills. Consider hosting a monthly ingredient challenge, consultation role-play competition, retail knowledge quiz, featured product spotlight, or service upgrade challenge. Small incentives and recognition can motivate employees while creating excitement around learning. Products that receive little attention are often not underperforming because they lack value. More commonly, they are underperforming because staff members lack confidence discussing them. Education builds familiarity, familiarity builds confidence, and confident recommendations naturally become more authentic.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of a fall staff reset is preparing employees to become trusted consultants rather than order takers. Confidence is built through education, repetition, and experience. Clients recognize the difference between scripted recommendations and genuine expertise, and those authentic conversations often become the foundation for long-term relationships. Every fall, significant investments are made in replacing lamps, cleaning equipment, updating software, and maintaining facilities. Those investments are important, but they should be matched by an investment in the people who interact with clients every day. Equipment creates the experience, but knowledgeable employees define it.

When employees understand the basics of equipment care, they’re more likely to recognize small issues before they become expensive repairs. That awareness can reduce downtime during peak season, improve communication with management, and help protect the investments you’ve made in your salon. Operational projects that often remain unfinished during busy months can also become priorities. Inventory counts, retail organization, software cleanup, membership audits, display updates, deep cleaning, storage organization, and continuing education webinars all contribute to a more efficient

SEPTEMBER 2026 | SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE

As the industry prepares for another busy season, the most valuable reset may not be mechanical at all. Investing in education, encouraging professional growth, expanding technical knowledge, and strengthening communication skills helps ensure that when client traffic increases, every member of the team is prepared to deliver an exceptional experience from the moment a client walks through the door. The salons that stand out during busy season aren’t simply the ones with the newest equipment, they’re the ones with the most confident, knowledgeable teams. Invest in your people this fall, and they’ll continue delivering value long after the lamps have been changed.

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BUSINESS OPERATIONS & MARKETING

Tired of Managing Payroll, HR, and Hiring Alone? How Smart Salon Owners Are Reclaiming Time (And Their Sanity)

Disconnected systems and poor support are out. Reliable tools and real help are in.

Running a salon should be about people, not paperwork We hear this often from salon owners: “We were nervous to make a change because of how bad things had gone before.” Many had a provider that overpromised but underdelivered. When problems came up, there was no one to call, no follow-up, and no real help. Some even faced serious issues like taxes not being filed correctly. We talk to salon owners every day who felt stuck, stressed, and unsure of what to do next. Many of them trusted a provider that promised to make things easier but ended up making things harder.

When problems came up—like payroll mistakes, system errors, or even missed tax filings—they had no one to call. The person who sold them the service stopped answering, and support was slow or unhelpful. These owners were left to fix big problems alone. Some waited on hold for hours or had to explain the same issue to different people. It was frustrating and unfair.

Here’s what we hear most: Most salon systems are hard to use and don’t work well together. You waste time entering the same info again and again. Support is often missing. You need tools that are simple, connected, and backed by real people who are there when you need help.

“Our biggest frustration was the lack of customer service and follow-up. We experienced a wide variety of issues that even ranged to our taxes not being filed properly. The salesperson who previously sold the deal ended up being nowhere to be found.” Glo Tanning CEO, Onyi Odunukwe

SEPTEMBER 2026 | SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE

TheThe Five Biggest Time-Wasters for Tanning Salon Five Biggest Time-Wasters for Tanning Salon Owners (And What to to DoDo About Them) Owners (And What About Them)

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You run the salon. You run the salon. You run the salon. You run the salon. You run the salon. You run the salon. Let us handle the admin. Let us handle the admin. Lethandle us handle admin. Let the admin. et us handle the admin. Let us us handle thethe admin. Hiring and Onboarding · Time Management · Payroll and Taxes Human Resources · Integrations · Benefits Administration

at: www.alliancehcm.com Visit usVisit at us AllianceHCM.com Visit us at AllianceHCM.com us at AllianceHCM.com Email:Visit tanning@alliancehcm.com Visit us at AllianceHCM.com Email tanning@alliancehcm.com Email tanning@alliancehcm.com Call: 800-863-8013 to talk to someone Email tanning@alliancehcm.com Or call 800-863-8013 to talk to Visit us at AllianceHCM.com Email tanning@alliancehcm.com who understands the world. Or call 800-863-8013 to salon talk Or to talk someone whoto understands Or call call 800-863-8013 800-863-8013 to talk to to the Email tanning@alliancehcm.com someone who understands the salon someone who understands the someone who understands theworld. Or call 800-863-8013 to talk salon to world. salon world. salon world. someone who understands the

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S U N I S L IIntegrations F E M AG A Z I N E | J U LY 2026

Benefits

EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGY, & INNOVATION

Is Your Equipment Investment Keeping Pace, or Falling Behind? The Financial Number Every Owner Should Be Watching BY DR. JIM SCHLECKS ER , T H E CEO PR OJ ECT

all is when the smart operators in this industry stop reacting and start planning. Lamp changes are on the calendar, HVAC systems need a look before winter humidity swings hit, and software updates are piling up in your inbox. It’s the natural checkpoint of the year to ask: Am I reinvesting enough in my equipment, or am I just getting by? Most owners answer that question by feel. Some set aside a percentage of revenue. Some wait until a bed breaks down or a customer complains about a weak tan. Very few use the number that’s already sitting on their income statement, waiting to tell them the truth: depreciation. Depreciation isn’t just something your accountant tracks for tax purposes. It’s a direct measure of how much value your tanning beds, booths, lamps, HVAC systems, and other long-term equipment lose every year. Used correctly, it’s one of the most practical tools you have for building a Fall Equipment Reset budget that protects your salon’s performance and long-term value.

Follow the Depreciation Trail Here’s how it works, stripped of accounting jargon: depreciation spreads an asset’s cost over its useful life. Say you invest $100,000 in new tanning units with a five-year useful life. Your books will show $20,000 in depreciation each year. That $20,000

represents the amount of equipment value your salon is quietly using up annually, whether you notice it or not. As a practical planning guideline, if you’re depreciating $20,000 a year, you should aim to reinvest at least $20,000 annually to keep your equipment at roughly the same level of capacity and performance. Anything less, and you’re gradually running your salon on borrowed time. If you aren’t sure what your annual depreciation is, your accountant or year-end financial statements can help you find that number. It’s worth reviewing before you build next year’s equipment budget.

When Depreciation Becomes Your Compass This gives you a clean benchmark for your Fall Equipment Reset. Spending roughly equal to depreciation means you’re maintaining your operation. Lamp changes, bulb rotations, and routine parts replacement are helping keep your equipment performing as expected.

SEPTEMBER 2026 | SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE

Spending above depreciation is appropriate if you’re adding units, opening a new suite, or expanding capacity ahead of peak season. If you’re growing but only spending enough to cover depreciation, you’ll fall behind quickly with aging equipment, weaker tanning results, and limited capacity to meet demand. Spending below depreciation is a warning sign. It usually means an owner is protecting cash flow in the short term, but the cost often shows up later through declining performance, rising service calls, member complaints, and a fleet that a future buyer may value less. Of course, a major automation project,

EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGY, & INNOVATION full lobby renovation, or complete bed replacement will naturally push your investment well above depreciation for a period of time. That’s expected— and often healthy. It’s the years of consistently underspending that should raise concern.

Applying This to the Fall Reset Checklist This issue centers on six areas of your salon ecosystem. Here’s how the depreciation lens applies to each. Mid-Cycle Lamp Changes Lamps degrade on a predictable curve, and that curve is essentially a depreciation schedule you can see with your own eyes. Output drops, session times creep up, and customer results suffer long before a lamp technically fails. Budgeting for lamp replacement against depreciation, rather than waiting for failure, helps maintain consistent results during your busiest months. Airflow Improvements Fans, filters, and cooling systems also depreciate, even though they’re easier to overlook than lamps. Weak airflow doesn’t just reduce customer comfort. It can accelerate lamp degradation and equipment wear, increasing long-term operating costs. Preventative Maintenance Think of maintenance as the minimum reinvestment required to protect your equipment. It slows the effects of depreciation, but it doesn’t eliminate them. Maintenance and equipment replacement should both be part of the same Fall budgeting conversation. Software Updates Your booking system, membership platform, and point-of-sale software require ongoing investment just

as your physical equipment does. While accounting treatment varies depending on the type of software, many salons benefit from planning for a refresh or meaningful investment roughly every three years through updates, integrations, security improvements, or platform upgrades. Ignore these systems for too long, and your digital infrastructure can become just as outdated as aging equipment.

Building Your Fall Reset Budget Instead of relying on an arbitrary percentage of revenue, ask two questions: What is our annual depreciation on tanning equipment, HVAC systems, and major technology investments?

Equipment Optimization

What is our current and projected growth rate: a new location, additional capacity, or simply maintaining our current operation?

This is where the distinction between maintenance and growth matters most. Optimizing an existing unit or upgrading components is generally a maintenance investment. Adding new equipment or expanding capacity is a growth investment. Know which objective you’re budgeting for before you decide how much to spend.

Those two numbers, side by side, give you a tailored and defensible capital budget for the season. If you’re maintaining, use depreciation as your benchmark. If you’re growing, invest above it intentionally. If you’re spending below it, understand exactly what tradeoff you’re making—and what it could cost you down the road.

Next-Generation Innovation

One additional step can make this process even stronger: spend 30 minutes with your accountant before year-end comparing your depreciation expense with your actual equipment investment. That conversation alone can help identify whether you’re keeping pace or quietly falling behind.

New tanning technology, red light therapy additions, or next-generation equipment will naturally exceed your current depreciation baseline. That’s not a red flag, it’s often the cost of staying competitive. Just don’t let innovation spending replace the ongoing maintenance investment your existing equipment still requires.

Where You Are in Your Growth These benchmarks work best for salons that have been operating for five or more years with a relatively stable equipment base. If you’re in your first year or two or building out a new location, your capital spending will naturally, and appropriately, exceed depreciation. That’s not overspending; it’s startup reality. As your salon matures, depreciation becomes a much more useful planning tool for determining how much you should reinvest each year.

The Bottom Line Depreciation isn’t a line item to skim past on your profit-and-loss statement. It’s a running tally of how much value your salon loses every year in beds, lamps, airflow systems, and technology, whether you plan for it or not. Owners who use depreciation as a guide for their Fall Equipment Reset stay ahead of wear before customers notice it. Owners who ignore it often find out the hard way; mid-season, with a full schedule, frustrated members, and equipment that can’t deliver the experience customers expect. This Fall, don’t guess. Do the math.

SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE |

SEPTEMBER 2026

BUSINESS OPERATIONS & MARKETING

If I Secret Shopped Your Salon Tomorrow, Would I Come Back? BY AL IES H A CO LVIN

henever I walk into a business, I can’t help but notice the customer experience. It’s part of working in marketing for so long. I find myself paying attention to things most people don’t even realize they’re processing.

business. The funny thing is, so has everyone else.

Those things absolutely matter, but they aren’t usually what people notice first.

Was I greeted?

Your clients may not be consciously keeping score, but they’re constantly picking up on small details. Every interaction, every smell, every conversation, every first impression adds up to one big question:

Did someone smile?

“Is this a business I trust?”

If I were to walk into your salon tomorrow as a first-time customer, here’s what I’d be paying attention to.

Does this place feel clean?

Notice what isn’t on that list.

The First 30 Seconds

If I had a question, would I feel comfortable asking it?

The tanning beds.

First impressions happen fast.

The lotion selection.

Long before I ask about pricing or memberships, I’m taking in everything around me.

Within a few seconds, I’ve already started forming an opinion about that

The membership options.

SEPTEMBER 2026 | SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE

Before someone decides whether they want to buy from you, they’ve already decided how they feel about you.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS & MARKETING

Did someone acknowledge me when I walked in, or did I stand there wondering if I was in the right place? Does the front desk look organized? Is the lobby clean?

One feels like a sales pitch. The other feels like guidance. Clients remember the difference.

The Last Five Minutes

Does the salon smell fresh?

One thing I’ve noticed about great businesses is that they don’t treat the end of the interaction like it’s the end of the relationship.

These aren’t things I would necessarily point out later, but they shape how I feel in your space.

They don’t simply hand over a receipt and move on to the next person.

Think about walking into someone’s home. You don’t usually notice one specific thing, you notice how the space makes you feel. Businesses work the same way.

Instead, they find small ways to make the experience feel personal.

Is there music playing?

A clean, welcoming salon tells clients that someone pays attention to details. That matters because if I believe you care about the details I can see, I’m more likely to trust you with the ones I can’t.

The First Five Minutes Once I’ve settled in, my attention shifts from the space to the people. This is where your team has the opportunity to build trust.

Maybe it’s wishing someone a great vacation after helping them prepare for their trip. Or it can be taking an active interest in their experience, “I can’t wait to hear how you like that lotion.” Even something as simple as thanking someone for choosing to spend part of their day with you. Those moments might seem insignificant, but they’re often the last thing a client remembers when they walk out the door.

Are they asking questions before making recommendations?

And the last impression has a funny way of becoming the lasting impression.

Are they listening to what I’m trying to accomplish?

The Question I’d Ask Myself Before Leaving

Or do I immediately feel like I’m being sold something?

Before I got back in my car, I’d probably ask myself one simple question:

As a customer, I don’t expect employees to know everything. I do expect them to make me feel heard. There’s a big difference between saying, “This is our best-selling lotion,” and saying, “Tell me a little about what you’re hoping to achieve.”

Would I tell a friend to come here? Not because your salon had the newest equipment. Not because your prices were the lowest.

Because I trusted you. People don’t recommend businesses just because they offer a good service. They recommend businesses that make them feel confident sending someone they care about there. That’s when you’ve earned something much more valuable than a sale. You’ve earned an advocate.

A Challenge for This Week Here’s something I’d encourage every salon owner to do. One morning before you open, park a little farther away than usual. Walk toward your salon as if you’ve never been there before. Look around. What do you notice? Open the front door and pay attention to your first impression. If you were visiting for the very first time, would you feel welcomed? Would you know where to go? Would you trust the people helping you? Then ask yourself one final question: If I were my own customer, would I come back? Sometimes the biggest opportunities to grow your business aren’t found in a new marketing campaign or another social media trend. Sometimes they’re hiding in the small moments you’ve stopped noticing because you’ve experienced them every day.

SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE |

SEPTEMBER 2026

the experts SUN & WELLNESS MAGAZINE

Joe Schuster

Aliesha Colvin

Quinn Cooper

Kristin Smithers

In addition to serving as our Editor in Chief, he’s also one of our contributing writers and serves as the Director and Instructor for our SUN IS LIFE certification and training.

Executive Director of Sun is Life Magazine, Aliesha Colvin, has spent over a decade in the beauty world and the last three of those helping shape the tanning industry’s creative side. Outside of the office, she channels her energy into her photography business and her social media communities – where she platforms others loving the skin they’re in.

Quinn Cooper has been a professional in the tanning industry for years, showing his passion for wellness at every turn. He is a proud Senior Account Executive of SUN IS LIFE as well as being a salon owner himself.

Kristin Smithers, the Red Light Queen™, is a Board Certified Light Therapist through the Board of Advanced Natural Health Sciences. A lifetime SPIE member and WALT member, she’s been active in the tanning industry since 2016 and a salon owner since 2019, blending science with real-world results.

Mackenzie Morris

Dr Jim Schleckser

Emily Clements

Mackenzie Morrison is the CEO of PrismHaus, a branding and marketing agency that partners with businesses across multiple industries, including indoor tanning and wellness. Through her work with business owners, she helps companies build stronger brands, create meaningful customer experiences, and make strategic decisions that support long-term growth.

Dr. Jim Schleckser is a CEO coach, entrepreneur, and author of Great CEOs Are Lazy. He advises business owners across the country on strategy and growth.

Emily Clements is an Area Manager for the Oxford and Tuscaloosa franchise locations with Glo Tanning. Alongside management, Emily received her degree from the University of Mississippi in integrated marketing communications, minor in general business, and specialization in social media. Combining both passions for industry and writing, she is thrilled to bring her expertise into Sun is Life.

SEPTEMBER 2026 | SUN IS LIFE MAGAZINE

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