You can find almost anything on Craigslist. Used Cars. Artwork. Careers. So when Jamie Dunklin started to look for a new job opportunity for herself and her husband, Richard Dunklin, she tried Craigslist. Originally, she thought that somewhere in Colorado might be a nice change from the suburbs of Houston. They ended up much farther than that. 

Last November, Dunklin found Stay Tan, a local Homer tanning salon, posted for sale on Craigslist. She purchased the business from Fred and Carol Kaatz, and by Jan. 23, Jaime, Richard and their 13-year-old son, Ashton, arrived in Homer.  

“Everybody thought I was nuts for doing it,” she said, adding she’s just one of those people who kind of fly by the seat of their pants. 

Although this is her first time owning a business, Dunklin managed a Planet Beach Contempo Spa in Magnolia, Texas, prior to moving to Homer.

The desire to change careers came a year-and-a-half ago when Richard finished working for Fluor Daniel, a global engineering and construction company, that took him to Afghanistan for 10 years. The couple took a year off to rethink what they wanted to do next, and owning their own business appealed to them.

Dunklin said the response from clients, and Homer in general, has been extremely positive. 

“We love it — and all the people have just been wonderful,” she said. 

Stay Tan has a monthly drawing, as well as monthly tanning specials. In March they offered up to two free tans for people who brought in Easter eggs to donate to Haven House. On Easter morning they delivered four large Easter baskets full of hard boiled and candy-filled eggs. 

Stay Tan has one stand-up tanning booth and three beds, and Dunklin said they intend to create customized organic tanning lotions and body scrubs. She also would like to provide hydro-derma fusion, massage chairs and an oxygen bar. 

“I don’t want to keep this just a tanning salon,” she said.

Toni Ross is a freelance writer who lives in Homer.

Stay Tan

Owner: Jamie Dunklin

Location: Point of View Mall, Lake Street

Hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Noon-4 p.m. Sunday

Phone: 235-2TAN for appointments