Dan Humiston, president and founder of the Tanning Bed chain and president of the ITA, is running for office—specifically, for the 27th congressional district seat in New York. He will face the popular Democratic incumbent on the Republican line and possibly minor party lines, too, but even as a member of the Independence Party, he is not expected to encounter any difficulties in gaining the GOP endorsement. So before Humiston’s campaign got completely underway, LOOKING FIT jumped at the chance to chat with him about his time in the industry and his plans for when he is elected to office.
LF: How long have you been in the industry and how did you get involved?
DH: I opened my first store in 1985 with two beds, since then it has grown to 34 locations in upstate New York. I graduated from college with a degree in physical education, but I didn’t want to teach. So, with no employment plans and a mother that was really after me to figure out what I was going to do with my life, I decided to open my own business. On a bright day in June, I opened my doors ... and nobody came. But over the years, I managed to slowly grow that salon to 50 beds. Then I opened my second store with 40 beds. Next thing you know, I had 34 locations in my chain—and a lot of experience that I probably wouldn’t have gotten by being a gym teacher.
LF: Why did you join—and become president of—the ITA?
DH: I was the first salon member on the board of directors in 1999. I was elected president in 2001; I am now in my fourth term. As an organization, we have done such good work—it is very gratifying to see the difference we can make. Sometimes it feels like you are making very small advances, but we are in a much better position than we were just a year ago. The way the industry is coming together to fight our industry is what makes it worthwhile.
LF: What made you decide to run for office?
DH: I’ve been active in politics for quite some time, and the discussion has come up in the past, but I either wasn’t in the right place personally or in business to take advantage of it. This past December, I had a few meetings with key people and I just felt that this was the right time. All of our polling and data suggests that Washington needs representatives who understand how proposed laws will affect businesses—so as a candidate with strong background in business, now is ideal.
LF: Does this mean you’ll have to resign your position with the ITA?
DH: Yes—in November, after I win, I won’t be able to be the president anymore. But the ITA has such a great group of people—between John Overstreet, the board members and our new team at Berman and Co., I am confident they will be fine. Plus, they’re excited because this gives me the ability to get in front of the media and present the industry to the public, which is a big part of the Berman campaign. I’m confident that I can promote the industry, and hopefully, accomplish more in this campaign than ever before, simply because I will be able to get my message in front of the right people.
LF: So you really plan to promote indoor tanning and the industry in your campaign?
DH: I’m not going to change myself in order to mold a campaign that will win. I am who I am, and tanning is a part of that. In addition, I’m a small-business owner. My biggest frustration is that people in government have no clue about how the various laws they propose affect our industry and small business in general. We need more responsible decision-makers that take the time to know what they are talking about. I think the industry can be a powerful political force and I hope to generate a lot of support from everyone in it. I’ve already gained a reputation as “the tanning guy,” and I want to make sure I represent our industry the way it should be represented. As such, I’m really looking for guidance from my peers—I want to talk to you if you are in the industry.
For more information, visit www.humistonforcongress.com.
