Sprayable sunscreen could be key to future

PANAMA CITY — Shaun Adams hopes sprayable sunscreen will be the key to reaching his goals.

Adams recently launched his own business managing three sunscreen vending machines in Bay County. For $1.50, customers can douse themselves with a combination of SPF 30 and insect repellant for 45 seconds.

The “Spray ‘N’ Play” machines have been a hit so far in Panama City Beach, with locations at rental company Lagoon Pontoons and the Aqua View Motel. Adams also installed a third machine at Smiths’ Yacht Basin next to the Shrimp Boat restaurant in St. Andrews Thursday.

But for Adams, who suffers from cerebral palsy, the machines are a reminder of a bigger goal to someday own a wheelchair-accessible taxi company, a service he has often wished for in his own endeavors.

While handicap-accessible transportation often is available during the day, Adams said he faced challenges finding a ride home while taking night classes in college.

“I want to fix that problem,” he said. “What the big picture is, I would like to franchise this nationwide.”

Adams already lives on his own, but also has aspirations to someday own a house and become more financially stable.

“What I’d really like to do ... I’m on Social Security and I’d like to be off of it,” he said.

To help with his business plan, Adams enlisted the help of the federal-state vocational rehabilitation program, which helps disabled individuals find and keep a job. The organization helped provide funding to purchase the Spray ‘N’ Play machines.

“That’s our mission is to help people become independent and self-sufficient and help get them off disability,” said Pam Cramer, one of six counselors at the Panama City Vocational Rehabilitation Center, which helps about 640 disabled locals with job placement and funding for job training.

Adams’ case, however, is fairly unique to the center.

“In Sean’s case it’s a little rare ... self-employment in general is rare,” Cramer said. “I’d say about a half dozen cases out of 600 are self-employed.”

Adams also receives assistance from job coach Amir Lizarraga, who runs a disabilities services company, Liz Resources Consulting, in Panama City.

“Eventually he wants to get more (sunscreen) machines to get a cab,” said Lizarraga, who helped write Adams’ business plan.

Lizarraga said his company works with several local organizations and churches to provide further support for clients.

“We get all these supporters to have a good foundation for the business so it can be successful,” Lizarraga said. “We have success stories out there.”