That's Hot: Local Family Business Celebrates 5 Years

As the family-owned and operated That's Hot Tan, Spa and Boutique in French Valley approaches its fifth anniversary Feb. 3, owners Shawn and Janet Gallup are counting their blessings—which include their faithful clients.

They shared their beginnings with Patch and divulged what they feel has kept their doors open and clients coming back during the last five years despite the recession.

"It is mind-blowing, it really is an accomplishment," Janet, 44, said. "I think 20 to 25 percent of the tanning industry closed down due to the recession and the fact that we are still here..I just want to hug every one of my clients and say thank you Lord."

Both originally from San Diego, Janet and Shawn opened That's Hot in 2007. Shawn, 41, was a mortgage banker, and business was going well for him when they moved to the Murrieta area to raise their two children, Madison, 12, and Jack, 13.

"Then the mortgage business started to go sour for Shawn," Janet said. "It had been a dream of mine since my 20s to open a tanning salon, so I talked to my husband and we made my dream come true."

The couple had met while Janet worked in property management and Shawn in the mortgage business. Prior to that, Janet graduated with a degree from Fashion Careers of California.

They purchased the space at 30628 Benton Road in the French Valley Village Center, and Shawn designed the interior. Janet got her wish by being able to incorporate her fashion by making a boutique part of the salon.

A year after they opened, the recession hit. Commercial and retail projects planned for the area got delayed. The Gallups had planned on those projects helping bring business their way.

But they fought to stay, as they watched other tenants come and go in the center.

Janet feels they have stayed in business because of the variety of services they offer.

"Since year two—we have been fighting ever since. And that has what has caused me to diversify our services. It was strictly tanning and boutique when first opened," Janet said.

"We are more than just a tanning salon."

That's Hot offers tanning, waxing, facials, eyelash extensions, and within the last few months added a manicurist.

In addition to diversifying their services, the Gallups give credit for their success to their dependable staff and faithful clientele.

"Our employees and our clients are all part of the family. The clients come because they feel welcome here."

The Gallups described a wide variety of clients.

Felicia Fritz moved to the Murrieta area one month ago from Bakersfield, and quickly found That's Hot. She's been in almost every day since, at 9 a.m. on the dot.

"The minute I walked in here, they were so nice. They know your name," Fritz said.

Ed Allen, a pilot, has been coming in for tans for four years.

"They don't let you jump right into it. They work you up," Allen said.

Janet said they educate their clients.

"We don't want them doing both (sun and tanning salon), it is one or the other," Janet said. "Plus, they love being here and they hang out with us."

Melissa Romero lives in Spencer's Crossing and has been a customer of That's Hot for five years.

"It's just one of those places where you can come in and chat," Romero said. "We need to support mom and pop shops, especially when you have good people and you want to see them succeed."

Five-year customer Tania Kaigler said she uses all of the services.

"I wouldn't go anywhere else, I love them," Kaigler said. "I would die if something happened to them."

Other clients come in specifically for skin care services. Jennifer Bennett, esthetician, came to work at That's Hot three and a half years ago.

"She is definitely a cornerstone of the salon," Janet said about Bennett. "People come here specifically just for her who don't even tan."

"There is where God would have me be," Bennett said. "I'm blessed to know them."

In addition to the friendly college-aged front desk staff, Frankie Fierro and Alexis, who have both worked at That's Hot for nearly three years, the Gallups' children can also be found in the salon on a daily basis.

"They spend the whole summer with us here," Janet said. "I let them check in and out people. I can't wait to put them to work for real."

Madison and Jack, who both attend Dorothy McElhinney Middle School, said they enjoy being able to help out in their family business.

"They are some of my biggest advertisers," Janet said.

Other kids are also welcome while their parents use the services, she said.

"We definitely promote family-owned. We have a lot of moms who bring their kids in to hang out with us. They probably don't get that opportunity in other locations."

Shawn, who joked that he comes to work in a tanning salon with pink and black zebra decor every day, said he is grateful to be able to work alongside his wife.

"We are really strong communicators, it actually makes it easier when we're both here," Shawn said. "And when we are home, one of us can always say 'I don't feel like talking about work."

As for staying in business for five years now, Shawn said: "It is a good sense of accomplishment to last this long when we've seen businesses not just in this shopping center but other businesses—friends of ours—who are no longer in business after two or three years."