2004 ALUMNI RECIPIENTS

Anita Vallati, 30

Biggest achievement: Since founding iTAN Advanced Tanning Studios in 2000, we've grown to four corporately owned studios, begun franchising and won North American Salon of the Year.

Best skill: Listen to the employees who are my front line, their feedback is invaluable.

Most admired businessperson: Starbucks founder Howard Shultz said business is less about money and more about honouring people.

Biggest business lesson learned: Building a quality business creates real value. Rather than offer the typical low-end tanning beds and a factory approach, we choose to provide quality, which is revolutionary in the tanning business. We use high-quality tanning beds, a customer-designed tanning system and have taken care to train our staff to give exceptional customer service. Certainly it costs us more, but I think the business will last longer. Building a quality business honours both our staff and our customer.

Favourite charity: Ottawa Food Bank.

Professional recognition that would mean the most: Starting a tanning association and being recognized as one who advocates a healthy approach to tanning.