Nikki Barlos-Garner, Sun Tan USA

Q: How have you dealt with changes in your health and the business?

A: Things change, and you have to go with the flow and roll with the punches. We just do the best we can. When I first bought Sun Tan USA I had no idea what I was doing – I had never run a business by myself. I just knew I didn’t want to work for anyone else.

It has been a learning experience for me: I had to learn and really let more go. Luckily, I realized I should get all the girls included in the business before I had my stroke. They learned how to re-lamp and take apart the beds.

I had a hard time delegating to people before, but I don’t get around as fast as I used to. I have a wonderful staff and a fabulous manager, though; we are really lucky there. Since the stroke, I feel like I fly by the seat of my pants now, but I let my manager help me a lot.

Q: Do you have any plans to change or add on to Sun Tan USA?

A: My manager Amy’s dream has always been to be a hairstylist. We thought about adding hair services here but it never came to pass. But we have two unoccupied rooms that are ready to go. We’re just deciding what and when to add. When we can afford it, I was thinking that one of the back rooms would be an aqua massage bed.