Business Name Change...Effect??? - tanTALK

BGTan43 · 03-14-2006, 10:35 PM

Hi all, this is my first post to this site and it looks like a great resource!!

Down to business. I am currently in the process of hopefully successfully purchasing a tanning salon. It is 3000 sq. ft. and has 27 beds. I am new to the industry of owning a salon, but have tanned for several years. I am also very experienced in business ownership/management. But enough with that. The real question I have is I have to change the name of the business. Its been established for 6 years, and is in a town with about 30,000 people. It has very little competiton, but has a sister store about 5-10 min away. Both locations are for sale, however since I am only purchasing the one location I have to change the name. How do you think this will effect the overall business, keep in mind if you were forced to change your name, how would it affect yours?? Also do you think losing the second location as an option for tanners to go to will negatively affect the over sales. Any advice is GREATLY appreciated THANKS!!

sunchick7 · 03-14-2006, 10:46 PM

Personally I think it could really work to your advantage. Try to keep the name for at least a couple of weeks after you get in there in order to make sure that all of the current customers know that they have nothing to worry about and are able to meet you, etc. Then have a grand opening (Designer Skin will send you lots of free stuff to use as giveaways if you send them a flyer or something announcing it...just add their logo).
Losing the second location may cause you to lose a few customers but overall it probably won't be many. People are creatures of habit & get comfortable at one salon location usually. Any that you do lose you can make up for with a kick butt grand opening weekend. Biggest peice of advice......Don't be cheap on the advertising for it. Try & get a live remote from the main radio station in the area.
That is a pretty big salon...how exciting!!! Good luck

SOCAL · 03-15-2006, 09:56 AM

I had to change the name when I took over my salon. Most people did not even notice, till I started changing things for the better.

glowtanning530 · 03-15-2006, 09:57 AM

I changed my shops name when I bought it for many advantaging reasons. I also stayed in the same location. I remodeled changed lamps and added some new equipment. The salon that was previously here had a bad reputation, but they were the only salon in town so for lack of a better option people came here.
The beds needed work, first time tanners started their time at 10 min. Well here is to the advatage of it all (honestly the only disadvatage was I had to create all new cards and stuff)
1.) I was able to have clients fill out all new release forms since I was going to be different. There release for was only one page. I wanted email addresses for marketing and I wanted to update info. plus i was not allowing people to tan for max amount and I wanted that in the release form.
2.) I wanted the changes to be relflected the second I answered the phone. By saying a new name it enforced the fact that we have made changes and its for the better.
3.) I wanted to shop to be mine name and all.
4.) It got recognitions as a new business locally even though it wasn't and generated some media attention because of my age

Dustin · 03-15-2006, 10:00 AM

The name shouldn't change the business, you just have to make sure you build confidence with the customers and letting them know you know what you are doing and can answer their questions. Good Luck

TikiTanGod · 03-15-2006, 10:03 AM

You should take this opportunity to prove to your customers that the new salon is going to be even better than it was before.

glowtanning530 · 03-15-2006, 10:05 AM

I also fogot to mention I had to change it because the name that was previously here was trademarked by another company. I honored existing packages name change or not

Electric_Sun · 03-15-2006, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGTan43

Also do you think losing the second location as an option for tanners to go to will negatively affect the over sales.

Since you said you have little competition, I can't see where this should effect you. I'm sure the customers were going to whichever location suited them the best to begin with.

TikiTanGod · 03-15-2006, 10:15 AM

I bought out the tanning equipment from an existing salon and told them that they could tell their customers that I would honor their remaining packages. I then found out that this guy was actively selling 20 tan packages the day before we were picking up the beds from him. What a ****.

nailartist710 · 03-15-2006, 10:18 AM

I agree with Sunchick about it working to your advantage. Most people will realize that with a new name it is under new ownership. Sounds like a great oppertunity. Good Luck!

03-14-2006, 10:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
BGTan43 Join Date: Mar 14 2006 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Business Name Change...Effect??? Hi all, this is my first post to this site and it looks like a great resource!! Down to business. I am currently in the process of hopefully successfully purchasing a tanning salon. It is 3000 sq. ft. and has 27 beds. I am new to the industry of owning a salon, but have tanned for several years. I am also very experienced in business ownership/management. But enough with that. The real question I have is I have to change the name of the business. Its been established for 6 years, and is in a town with about 30,000 people. It has very little competiton, but has a sister store about 5-10 min away. Both locations are for sale, however since I am only purchasing the one location I have to change the name. How do you think this will effect the overall business, keep in mind if you were forced to change your name, how would it affect yours?? Also do you think losing the second location as an option for tanners to go to will negatively affect the over sales. Any advice is GREATLY appreciated THANKS!!

03-14-2006, 10:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
sunchick7 Join Date: Aug 26 2004 Posts: 230 Rep Power: 21	Re: Business Name Change...Effect??? Personally I think it could really work to your advantage. Try to keep the name for at least a couple of weeks after you get in there in order to make sure that all of the current customers know that they have nothing to worry about and are able to meet you, etc. Then have a grand opening (Designer Skin will send you lots of free stuff to use as giveaways if you send them a flyer or something announcing it...just add their logo). Losing the second location may cause you to lose a few customers but overall it probably won't be many. People are creatures of habit & get comfortable at one salon location usually. Any that you do lose you can make up for with a kick butt grand opening weekend. Biggest peice of advice......Don't be cheap on the advertising for it. Try & get a live remote from the main radio station in the area. That is a pretty big salon...how exciting!!! Good luck

03-15-2006, 09:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
SOCAL Join Date: Oct 4 2003 Location: California Posts: 149 Rep Power: 21	Re: Business Name Change...Effect??? I had to change the name when I took over my salon. Most people did not even notice, till I started changing things for the better.

03-15-2006, 09:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
glowtanning530 Join Date: Jan 20 2006 Location: folding towels, cleaning beds, ordering lotions, fixing beds, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. Age: 43 Posts: 1,219 Rep Power: 130	Re: Business Name Change...Effect??? I changed my shops name when I bought it for many advantaging reasons. I also stayed in the same location. I remodeled changed lamps and added some new equipment. The salon that was previously here had a bad reputation, but they were the only salon in town so for lack of a better option people came here. The beds needed work, first time tanners started their time at 10 min. Well here is to the advatage of it all (honestly the only disadvatage was I had to create all new cards and stuff) 1.) I was able to have clients fill out all new release forms since I was going to be different. There release for was only one page. I wanted email addresses for marketing and I wanted to update info. plus i was not allowing people to tan for max amount and I wanted that in the release form. 2.) I wanted the changes to be relflected the second I answered the phone. By saying a new name it enforced the fact that we have made changes and its for the better. 3.) I wanted to shop to be mine name and all. 4.) It got recognitions as a new business locally even though it wasn't and generated some media attention because of my age

03-15-2006, 10:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
Dustin Official BFF Member Join Date: Feb 10 2005 Location: CO Posts: 5,575 Rep Power: 25	Re: Business Name Change...Effect??? The name shouldn't change the business, you just have to make sure you build confidence with the customers and letting them know you know what you are doing and can answer their questions. Good Luck

03-15-2006, 10:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
TikiTanGod God of all Tiki Join Date: Jan 10 2006 Location: Anderson, IN Age: 42 Posts: 606 Rep Power: 42	Re: Business Name Change...Effect??? You should take this opportunity to prove to your customers that the new salon is going to be even better than it was before. __________________ RockStar Hold'Em

03-15-2006, 10:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
glowtanning530 Join Date: Jan 20 2006 Location: folding towels, cleaning beds, ordering lotions, fixing beds, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. Age: 43 Posts: 1,219 Rep Power: 130	Re: Business Name Change...Effect??? I also fogot to mention I had to change it because the name that was previously here was trademarked by another company. I honored existing packages name change or not

03-15-2006, 10:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
TikiTanGod God of all Tiki Join Date: Jan 10 2006 Location: Anderson, IN Age: 42 Posts: 606 Rep Power: 42	Re: Business Name Change...Effect??? I bought out the tanning equipment from an existing salon and told them that they could tell their customers that I would honor their remaining packages. I then found out that this guy was actively selling 20 tan packages the day before we were picking up the beds from him. What a ****. __________________ RockStar Hold'Em

03-15-2006, 10:18 AM	#10 (permalink)
nailartist710 Join Date: Jun 16 2005 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 170 Rep Power: 19	Re: Business Name Change...Effect??? I agree with Sunchick about it working to your advantage. Most people will realize that with a new name it is under new ownership. Sounds like a great oppertunity. Good Luck! __________________

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)