A Visit To The Salon-Keep Your Tan

Brrr. It’s a cold and foggy morning, I’m wondering what in the world I’m doing running around town when I could be home, under a warm blanket thinking about my next hub. But I have been invited to come out to a lovely beauty salon called “Cuttin Up” to experience what it is like to get beautified or at least observe others getting a beauty treatment.

In the present economy the beauty shop business is one that struggles to keep going. Seems food and gas take precedence over a person paying for a hair cut or getting their nails done. Many businesses have struggled to stay alive over the last couple of years. However, beauty shops have sprung up all over town, with the owners hoping to make a living serving the community with their beautifying crafts. Some have moved to different locations trying to get more foot traffic and others are new businesses.

“Cuttin Up” has been in business for the last sixteen years in the same location, with Sonja Beal purchasing the business a little over seven years ago. This salon is located on the corner of Stewart and King Street in Medford, Oregon, with a large parking area and a little café next door.

“I have worked here for the last fifteen years,” Sonja comments, “I had the chance to buy the business about seven years ago. It has been a lot of fun and has helped to support my family.” A returning cliental base, as well as new clients, is needed to keep this type of business prosperous.

“I was able to build my cliental before the economy fell,” says Sonja, “It has still been a struggle because quite a few of my clients are elderly and their income doesn’t quite reach to include a beauty treatment.”

I am not the only one who would have rather stayed home under the covers of warmth, this weather makes clients call and reschedule their appointments too.

“I hope my eight o’clock appointment will be able to show,” comments Sonja as she reaches for the phone to call and confirm the appointment. “This client works evenings at one of the motels here in Medford, so she may not make it.”

“And this is what I got out of bed for,” I think to myself, “not to mention braving this abnormal cold weather.”

Oh, well. A story is a story, right. I am in need of a story right now, so this cold weather is what I will put myself through for a story.

The client doesn’t answer her phone when Sonja calls. A few minutes later she calls back wanting to reschedule, as she had indeed worked late the night before and wanted to get in a little more sleep before going to work again that evening.

“Well, I can show you around and maybe we can get pictures of the other services “Cuttin Up” provides,” Sonja says as she is removing towels from her dryer to be folded. “We can probably take pictures of the tanning rooms.”

“We have had the tanning beds since the beginning of the shop opening,” comments Sonja. “It’s beginning to be a tough business, though, because of taxes we have to pay. It is good for my clients and even if I don’t make money on the service, I at least know my clients are getting a portion of what they need in Vitamin D and help for depression.”

Clients have to sign a disclaimer to use the tanning rooms. They are encouraged to use goggles when tanning to protect their eyes. Cuttin Up has monthly tanning packages for $25.00.

"Some of the clients are unable to come in to tan every day so they elect to buy so many minutes," comments Sonja.

The tanning rooms are spacious with 20 minute Sun Vision beds. There are three tanning rooms set up with a radio/cd player and head phones for the clients to listen to their favorite music while they tan. A fan is provided to keep the air flowing while the tanning beds are operating. Clean towels are provided to cover areas of the body the tanner doesn’t want exposed as well as wiping off the excess moisturizing lotions the client may have used.

“I like to provide a relaxed atmosphere in the salon,” Sonja says, “my clients don’t have to feel pressured to come out with there makeup on and dressed to the hilt.”

Clients have a range of professional products to purchase to keep their bodies moisturized. Emerald Bay is the product of choice for tanning. It is important for the tanners to keep their skin moisturized so their tan doesn't sluff off in the shower or while they are shaving.

“I try to keep the prices affordable,” says Sonja, "some clients don't want to buy a big bottle of tanning lotion, so we sell samples."

Samples of each product are for sale so the client can decide which product they like and not have to buy a full bottle that can’t be returned for a refund.

Tanning is wonderful for those who like to incorporate this excercise into their life. For me however, I just look at those beds and think about that lid coming down over the top of me and sorry, claustaphobia sets in. I don't even have to get into one of them beds for my phobias to get going.

The phone begins to ring, Sonja is now busy and it is time for me to get busy. As she gets off of the phone, Sonja lets me know the eight o'clock client is going to go ahead and come in.

"Good that will give me another story," I think to myself, "I need to get this one on it's way to being published."