Nik’s Marketing Minute October 2011
Setting up an Educational Scholarship Fund can be a great way to give back to your community or a thoughtful way to honour a loved one. For tanning salons, making Vitamin D the scholarship topic is a surefire way to increase educational awareness about tanning and the health benefits of Vitamin D.
Learn how Manny Manuel, Salon Owner of Manny Tan in Kamloops, BC has achieved success through his first annual scholarship:
“This was the first year I ran it and I did it to get kids to do their own investigation into Vitamin D deficiency so they could discover the benefits of moderate UV exposure and the epidemic that is Vitamin D deficiency in our country. I had almost 2 dozen essays submitted and I think it was a success. This year I had limited it to the school I graduated from but I think next year I will expand the scope to include all high schools in my city to further spread the word of moderate UV exposure helping combat Vitamin D deficiency.” - Manny Manuel
When setting up a scholarship, the first step is to determine what type of scholarship you want to set up, based on the duration of the award. Research your options which may include a one-time, annual, or endowed scholarship. Decide how much you will award and how you will fund it. Can you get others to contribute on a one-time or periodic basis? Then the last step is to name your scholarship and establish criteria for the award. In Manny’s example:
The Mannytan Vitamin D Scholarship is open to all students of South Kamloops Senior Secondary. Must have proof of enrollment of post secondary education before funds will be distributed. Scholarship of $750 is awarded to the best written essay.
Application Procedure
Submit an essay of at least 1000 words. The topic of the essay should explain the following:
What are the benefits of moderate UV exposure and the benefits of Vitamin D produced by the human body when exposed to sunlight? Risks and concerns about Vitamin D deficiency should be addressed as well. Deadline is May 15th, 2011.
A Vitamin D scholarship not only helps provide students with financial assistance, but it will also help educate students about moderate UV exposure. It also gets them motivated to practice safe tanning when tanning outdoors or indoors at your salon. When finally declaring a winning essay, how about creating a hall of fame? Make sure you recognize the scholarship winners by creating a wall of achievement in your tanning salon!
If you have a Marketing Minute that you would like to share, please e-mail me your promotional idea and if we print it you will be rewarded with $150.00 in product.
Thanks, 
nik@uvalux.com
