How bad is it?

When a tanning salon has an electric bill under $500, you know that business is bad. There are many different ways in this industry to save money, and I have learned to do them, but it is a lot of work. Then, I have to teach the employees how to set controls. One example is keep thermostat at 64 degrees. Yes, I do keep it colder in here than I should, but it is a huge building which is empty except the tanning rooms. Another is to take advantage of the sun shining through our huge display window. Boy, does it warm this place up. :) Another is wear warmer clothing. Don’t get me wrong-my employees do very well with this. But, I can go into some stores, and people are dressed for summer. I know when you are young you want to look your best, but you are still beautiful! OK that is enough on that topic. I promise to warm up each bed before you get in. If your tanning bed has been too cold for you lately, please let me know.

December 7th-morning

How many of you are working on 4 to 5 projects at the same time. This is I all the time. Right now I am working on this blog, writing a memo to employees on how to bring money into the salon because we are not making any money, and FB. Oh, this has been one of my headaches lately. I actually am setting up a new fan page because of this. On top of that I am finishing up opening responsibilities, and last but not least I am organizing my first and foremost financial job and it is already 10:20 am.

1st Excuse-Dec. 2nd

OK I confess I did not hold up to my end of the bargain. I didn’t finish my paperwork here, so I brought it home. But guess what? There was dinner-homemade turkey potpie. I cannot let any of the turkey go to waste. Boy was it delicious - well. . . . maybe just ok because I made my own dough recipe with some white & wheat flour, and I am not sure how much salt and water to add.
It is getting late, and I still need to practice the piano. It really got pushed out of my life when I was taking care of my mom for 3 years. She has dementia. Oh, and the past year I have been campaigning. Who do I think I am? Wonder Woman? Ok, finished practicing. Last, I tidy up from dinner. 9:30 p.m.? Where did the time go? I want to read some in a new book I borrowed from my sister.
Oh, how did I get on all this? Oh, yeah I am trying to make myself feel better for not holding myself to my promise. On top of that, I am trying to write this blog. UGH! I need to try to get two days caught up now. Wish me luck.
Sunny

Diary of a small entrepreneur-December 1, 2010

We are not out of the recession! You might be asking yourself “How can that be?” This is a bold statement, but any small business owner sees the real numbers. For me being in the position of “no pay” for last month is my indicator. It is rough to come to the end of the month and realize this. I worked hard.
This is not the only way I can tell. Believe me there are a number of ways. One is that I am a charitable person, but after 2009 taxes were completed on October 15th, my CPA said I had to change. I had given 45% of my income to charity. “That is too much” he said. I had no idea.
Now, you are probably asking, How could you not know?” It is easy. I wear all the hats here-finance hat, hire/fire hat, employee motivator hat-you get the picture. No, I do not have the money to hire all these people. No wonder, right?
Now, I have to start setting goals with all finances for my business. #1 goal-What does not get finished here MUST be brought home to finish. This will be the most important decision to live by in order to maintain my success. I will be starting all over again next year. I hope it is not too late.

Family has been picked: We need you!

Be part of an inspiring story, and bless this family for Thanksgiving. Read their story on FB. It is on the discussion page. Soon the special will be posted for all to participate. If you just want to give something without tanning, we thank you for your generosity.
Here is the FB email: endlesssummertanninglp@gmail.com.

Thanksgiving Blessing

If you know of someone in St. Mary’s County who really could use some encouragement this thanksgiving, please call the salon at 301-737-6050. All of our customers would like to participate in a food drive to help someone. We would love to hear from you. Thank you.

Challenging Statistics by “Skin Cancer Foundation”

Statistics dated 2008 state that 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime. Well, I have 4 brothers and sisters. If I also include my mom and dad, this disqualifies that statistic so far. What do they mean by skin cancer? There are a few forms of it, but they have not specified. “According to an Alberta research paper just out; non melanoma skin cancer rates have been dropping since 2001 – approximately 12.6% drop up to 2010.”
Here is another statistic on their website. Up to 90 percent of the visible changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun. What about smoking? So, if sun is aging someone 90% than smoking can only age you 10%? I know people who smoke, and they look way older than someone who tans. Now, I am not saying someone who tans habitually and has alligator skin. That look is OUT! There is nothing wrong with moderate tanning to have a light, bronze glow. If you are caring for an elderly family member by yourself, you age. I know because I was there. People noticed it; they said something. Now that I have had help to care for my mom, people are now saying I look younger again. So, what type of percentage is accurate to place on the sun/UV?
1.Gilroy, Steve. “What are the Real Numbers in Canada?” Smart Tan Magazine. November 2010: 17.

Are you getting enough sun?

Click on the above title "Are you getting enough sun?" I am hoping you might find this news on sunshine helpful on determining if you should tan.

A good reason to tan

One great reason to tan is if you have booked a sunny destination for your vacation. Why? Do you want to enjoy the whole time outside? The sun here is definitely different than when you are closer to the equator. Having a base before should be part of your vacation package. Call a tanning salon and listen to them. We must be informative enough to convice you it is important.
I have heard horror stories of vacationers burning the first day and not able to enjoy the outside for a few days. This is when the night life kicks in. lol Even I use sunblock when vacationing, but I do leave room for Mr. Sun to bronze up my tan. The great thing about having a base is after your vacation you look like you have been on vacation. If you don’t, you look a little red, maybe some tan, but your legs are still ghostly white unless your vacation last for 10 days or more. It is the hardest part of the body to tan for most people.
Give yourself about a month to work up your base tan slowly. This ensures no burn and better results. This is how we should be teaching everyone to tan.
Do you have a horror story that you would like to share? It would be fun- sick aren’t I- to get some feedback on this. Well at least it is after the fact.
Bye for now,
Sunny

First steps

A blog is something you are suppose to do more regularly than I do. My two questions are
1. Who wants to hear about a little ole tanning salon
2. What is it that gets people interested in coming in to see what is all the hoopla.

Have any of you ever considered tanning? Now, all the news media and the lovely tan tax which I did send to the big, bad gov. today, makes people apprehensive.
First and the most important information you will get from me is if you have history of any type of cancer in your family, you SHOULD NOT be tanning in any UV bed. OK that is a hard thing for salon owners to tell their customers, but it is one that should not be overlooked at all. I think the same could be said for any vice in society. Don’t smoke if there is history of cancer in your family. Yes, other things can happen if you smoke for a long, extended period of your life, but who is to say that it is not a trigger for family history cancer too?
But we do have a sunless spray, so if you have never tried this, it is worth trying once. If you have never been tan in your life, it is quite a treat. Ask lots of questions before getting sprayed. This information will help you get the best results.
Sunny

VITAMIN A INFO

I was reading an article in “Sun Times” and I found an editorial on Vitamin “A”. If this ingredient is listed on any products that you buy, do your research before purchasing. Vitamin “A” is an antioxidant to slow down the aging process. Like everything new, it takes years for the final accuracy to be proven, but too much of it could actually accelerate the growth of skin cancer.
What is the reasoning behind this? When using SPFs, we tend to stay outside longer and lather more lotion on during our time outside. A year long study by the FDA found that vitamin A-laced cream showed tumors and lesions developed up to 21% higher in lab animals.
Why haven’t we read this in magazines and editorials? Why haven’t we heard this being broadcasted on our airwaves and on TV? It is in everything from facial moisturizers to SPFs. My take on this is the beauty industry has too much at stake. Not only would they have to change ingredient formulas but also all their packaging labels. It would cost a fortune! The FDA makes the tobacco industry change labels on cigarettes. No, I am not advocating smoking. It is bad for you.
I will close with this “Read the facts and you decide”. Things in moderation should be your decision.

I'm back!

Ok, so running a campaign for county commissioner took up a lot of time, but now that I lost, things will start being a little more normal around the salon again.

New Guidelines for Sunscreen

Have you seen the new labels for our suncreens? Coppertone reads "Durable broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection" on their new Coppertone® ultraGUARD® Lotion SPF 100+. SPF now means "Sunburn Protection Factor" instead of "Sun Protection Factor." AAD, American Academy of Dermatology, states that the "newer broad-spectrum sunscreens contain products to block both UVA and UVB rays.
A study revealed in SunTimes wrote on the colleagues from the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiologic Health. They stated "indoor workers with lighter skin types typically receive 3-9 times less solar UV exposure than those who work outdoor, the indoor group shows an increased incidence of malignant skin cancer."
Follow these steps this summer, and you will be a "Smart Tan" consumer and not have to worry about sun-scare tactics.
1. Don't be out in the sun for hours when summer first starts.
2. Take small intervals out in the sun in controlled time frames. Start with 1/2 an hour for the first 2 days, then 1 hr for the next two, etc. This process should take about 2 weeks.
3. When you are out in the sun for long hours, please wear sunscreen. You still are getting sun.
4. Now that you have your base, enjoy the rest of the summer.

"POWER OF TAN"

Our title just means that with a little color we always feel so much better about ourselves. Do you need a little confidence boost? Stop by on Thursday, June 10th or Friday, June 11th for FREE TANNING AND LOTION. Come join us in celebrating 10 years of business. Hours will be 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. both days. See you soon!

Another cancer scare?

Ok, so I am a little late on commenting on this, but it needs to be addressed. Don't believe anything unless you have all the facts. I just visited the U.S Center for Health Statistics. Smart Tan researched it and stated "Breast cancer mortality figures in that age group, 25 - 29, are nearly 10 times higher. What’s more, melanoma mortality in women under 50 has declined since 2000." There is a lot of money in sunscreen and sun scare. BEWARE!

Sunlight protects against MS

Studies done in 2008 are being challenged once again. According to "The Epoch Times" "new evidence has come to light. . .some of sunlight's apparent ability to protect against MS does not come from Vitamin D." A new study published in March 2010 "used an animal model of MS known as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)." The animals "were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, which led to dramatic reductions in the activity of the disease." Of course this is a controlled environment, and studies were done on animals, but wouldn't it be fair to research more on tanning bed usage before presuming that it is a risk. The tanning industry has done many studies, but lobbyists in government against our industry definitely have more money to attack us.

Level I beds

Right now we have 2 beds completed. One is the "Island" and the 20 minute bed, Tropical. We should have the "Beach" up within half of an hour. I am hoping that the "Secret Garden" will be done this afternoon, but it is harder to finish with just two people. We are short-handed for this project. Thank you for your patience with us.

Changing Lamps Level I

Hey, we made a lot of progress yesterday with four of us working. Unfortunetly, there is only two of us working today to finish all four. I will place something here just as soon as we start finishing some of them. Thanks for your patience.

FREE TAN AND LOTION

There is a fundraiser next Saturday, May 1, 2010. It is a car wash at PJ's Auto Body Shop in Lexington Park between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The fundraiser is for Dorothy Andrews for County Commissioner. Everyone who would like to participate needs to post on facebook by Wednesday, April 28. You will receive a certificate for a free tan in the Inspiration 460 ($16.50 value) and a free sample of Designer Skin Luminary ($15 value) Go to the website to the equipment page unless you have already seen it in the salon. This would help me in my campaign. Thank you in advance.

Egg Hunt

Tommorrow at two there is a clue. Join the fanclub for the rest.

Look for an egg hunt for facebook fans only. Great giveaways.

TEEN TANNING BAN!

Well, it wasn't enough that the government dictated to tanning salons that everyone under 18 must have a parental consent form. At Endless Summer, we do abide by the new law, but that is not enough. Now they want to totally ban tannning for anyone under 18. This link Teen Tanning Ban will involve YOU in the fight to keep this privilege for anyone under 18. Thank you in advance.

Endless Summer Tanning is very busy today. And we like it that way.

Rid Yourself of Winter Blues

To Rid yourself of the winter blues, check out the new Endless Summer spot... Starring "Summer"!

It's hard to tan when the rain continues to come down... unless you visit us at Endless Summer Tanning, where the sun is always shining. Just wanted to say hello and thanks to all our wonderful customers.

Other issues

There has been an onslaught of different bills throughout the state of Maryland trying to either ban tanning or burden us with more regulations. Also, being considered is teenage banning until 18. I am feed up with it. Tanning in moderation should be everyone's individual choice.

Tax not dead yet!

The article directly below this new post was emailed to me by Smart Tan.  It is a little misleading.  The tan tax is still on the Health Care Bill at this time.  The Bill has just been under so much heated debate that it has become idle for now.  If you haven't participated in the "Say No" to the tan tax, please feel free to respond. 

TAN TAX BILL

"The controversial 10% "Tan Tax" is dead, US SEN. Ben Nelson confirmed in a meeting with Smart Tan Chairman Matt Russell this afternoon. The meeting was arranged by Smart Tan adviser/member Bart Bonn, who also attended. Nelson promised to work with the industry to ensure no form of a tan tax will appear in any future bills."
Joe Levy, vice president
International Smart Tan Network


Thank you everyone who participated in the "Say No" to Tax.

Where have we been?

Where have all of you been?  We have been very busy trying to get our name out there.  We started with a Christmas commercial in October.  The day of the shoot the weather was beautiful, and we were dressed for summer.  Our window display contest was next?  Our theme was a salute to all those serving near and far.  Hopefully you had a chance to come by. 
Last, was our Open House.  The food was delicious.  You missed out!  The menu consisted of crab fondue, bourbon meatballs, and wings.  Of course we had cookies too! Also, everyone who came in during the month of December loved the 12 days of Christmas.  We will do that again.
We now have monthly drawings.  1/2 upgrades, $2 off upgrades, $10 off any package, and free lotion samples, your choice.  The winner picked "Luminary" by Designer Skin.  It prices at $15.  WOW!  Lindsay loved that!
Well, from the time I started this until now, it has been tthree hours.  I should have started earlier today.  Go to SmartTan.com.  They have a great video I tried placing on here on sunscreen introduces SPF 1,000,000.
There's no place like home!