Robin Poole, PooleSide Tan

When her local tanning salon closed, Robin and Tracey Poole decided to seize the opportunity. Robin left the banking industry and begin something of her own. Her salon’s focus on education and service emanates far beyond the counter, reaching into her family and community.

Q: How do you handle the balance between work and family?

A: Well, my husband Tracey is a co-owner in the business, and both of our children work in the salon. Our 18-year-old son, Colin, works there regularly, and our 13-year-old daughter, Cloe, helps out now and then.

The business is always on the forefront of my mind, but we try to discuss business only during certain times of the day. I try not to bring business home, and sometimes my son has to bring me back to reality – it’s hard to separate the two. And on the other hand, I sometimes have to put my boss hat on with Colin. He wants to own his own business someday, but we want him to appreciate that this one is ours, and he does.

But we also want to make our whole staff feel like family. The girls who work there are like my daughters.

Q: How do you try to educate your community about indoor tanning?

A: I am a member of the American Suntanning Association, and I like to keep up to date with everything that’s going on in that aspect of the industry. Sending out the letters they provide is a quick way to get more exposure. The association is our voice; they are on our side while we are busy running our businesses.

But I am also involved with the chamber of commerce here, and of course they are involved with politics. I am actually on their schedule to do an informative lunch seminar in the spring, just to make everyone aware of our industry. I’m hoping that at least one of our local politicians will be there, since they usually attend these luncheons.

All we can do is try to educate people on tanning and present that knowledge where we can. I get excited about that and feel it’s my duty as a salon owner.

For more information about the salon, visit www.poolesidetaneaston.com.