THE HURRICANE SEASON

by Joe Schuster

Many in the Tanning Industry Affected

I’m sure that many Florida tanning professionals took quite a hit over those weeks in August and September.  I sincerely hope that they will be able to recover.

The devastating storms that slammed into Florida with hurricanes Frances, Charley, Ivan and Jeanne were incredible, combining to cause an estimated $25 billion in property damage within a period of just 5 weeks. For those into statistics, researchers estimate that it would be at least a thousand years before a series of 5 hurricanes could hit Florida.  But, I wouldn’t mention those stats to a Floridian!

The storm effects experienced by Florida residents ranged from heavy rain, to rain, damaging winds and flooding. Many tanning salons were among the hundreds of businesses affected; Shelly Griffin of Wolff Tan in Tallahassee was one of the fortunate ones.  “We received some strong rain, but the salon was not damaged,” Shelly commented. “We were extremely lucky.”   Julie Howell of the Sun Club chain of salons in Alabama and Florida expressed similar sentiments. “We have salons in Ft. Walton, Pensacola and Panama City, Florida and we somehow survived,” said Julie. “However, much of the landscape around us looked like a war zone.”

Many weren’t so lucky.  The Internet and TV showed us daily pictures of those who lost homes, jobs and in some cases, lives. Those who own a tree cutting service, or sell ice, water, home improvement supplies or non-perishable food were certainly able to benefit – and help some needy hurricane victims at the same time. 

Where I live – in Metro Atlanta – we shouldered some of the brunt of these storms, mostly with power outages and tree damage.  I returned from a business trip to find a 100-ft. pine tree toppled over in my backyard, and the cable TV service out.  As I set upon the task of taking the chain saw to the tree, grumbling to myself about the pinesap on my clothes (and no cable TV), I thought of the newspaper reports and images of those unfortunate souls in Florida and realized I had absolutely nothing to gripe about.  Some of those people lost everything.  I’m sure that many Florida tanning professionals took quite a hit over those weeks in August and September. I sincerely hope that they will be able to recover.

On a somewhat brighter note, the Sunshine state is also the host to this year’s ITA World Expo.  If you can make it to the show, do it!  As big as our industry is, we are still a tightly knit group.  If your business has suffered as a result of the hurricanes, I’m sure that there are manufacturers, distributors and perhaps even other salon owners who may be able to help you get back on your feet.

My very best to you and your efforts to piece your businesses back together.  Thankfully for me, I only need to plant a tree.