sunsally

Ryan (and all interested in opening a new salon) -

First things first - take a breath! :)

Starting up a new business is SO exciting, but also so overwhelming! It is easy to get focused on the trees and lose sight of the forest as they say.

Equipment is critical, but unlike your comment above (and I know - I'm pulling it out of context), it will never "get people in the door"!". Customers for the most part don't have a CLUE about equipment. They MAY know the name of a bed they tanned at in one salon (if the salon doesn't put their own spin of a name on it), but for the most part, they react to what looks good, and then, what tans well.

But more importantly, it is your entire PLAN - and how it "fits" together - that makes an impact on customers and determines if you will be successful or not.

For example - first thing is location. If your location is a winner, you rock. If it stinks, all the great everything else in the world might never matter. Now - determining what will, or will not be a "great" location can be tough! Depends on the area demographics, visibility, parking, nearby businesses, competition, rent rate (and the "value" it is or isn't for those things), etc.

The space itself == the size is critical. A 20' wide or 40' wide fits the maximal amount of equipment the most easily. But maybe you have a "look" you want that may require a different shape. Just remember - MAXIMIZE your square footage with revenue production. Don't want to be paying for a lot of empty space!

Competition - for this great location and perfect site -- how is the competition? How much, how good, how established? Is there "room" for someone to come in to the market here?

Pricing/advertising/marketing plan -- CRITICAL! Are you trying to be low price/high volume? One stop shopping with anything a tanner might want? Just tanning or other services? "Spa like", "Industrial", "Beachy", "high end", "homey", etc etc Have to think though this FIRST - it will help you determine what equip makes sense.

I could go on, but you get the idea. A LOT of things to think about before you get to equipment!

THEN - once you get to the actual equipment:

-Levels (all from one manuf or mixed) and quantity
-Budget (new, used, a mix, etc)
-Maintenance issues (how reliable, how easy to simple cleaning and repairs,..)
-Performance (of course!)
-Design/look
-Service Reputation


WHEW - I'm tired just writing all that, let alone reading it!

The bottom line is what is "best" will vary based on all of this. In many cases, just ONE manufacturer may not have the "best" at every level - so you might mix it up. Might mix new and used. Might start with some of your equipment and add the remaining as you see what your "demand" dictates and/or so you can always be adding new (to your salon at least) items and remain "cutting edge".

Most new salon owners START by wanting to focus on their beds or their interior design. Instead, it is critical you start on the much-less-fun-and-less-sexy business plan and analysis.

I know I have posts on similar topics - I'm too lazy to go do a search! :) But definitely read as much as you can about the BUSINESS first before you get too swayed on equipment. Read as many posts as you can, plan on going to Nashville this fall for the ITA show, and by December you will be READY to be a new salon owner!!

Hope that helps!