tuowner

We are in our second year of owning our 3 bed salon in a small town. Second year has been pretty hard to say the least so we are looking at our options. Weighing the pro's and con's of closing. Do we close? Or do we look at adding something extra and try to go one more year and see how things go? Here is my question to you: If we do decide to close I definitely want to do my clients as good as possible because they mean a lot to me. I do not want them to feel cheated, or come in one day to find the place empty with no warning, as I have seen and heard of other places doing. At the same time I can't keep losing so much money for extended periods of time... can you help me to figure out the best way for all of us....

irene

3 Beds? remodel your garage.....

tuowner

Ok, if you're going to be rude do not bother replying to this.

peach

Those are tough questions to answer, not knowing what your exact situation is in terms of costs, equipment, income, goals etc.

If you are going to close, now is the time of the year to do it. If you can sell, that might be a possibility as well. If you choose to close, I would give all of your customers a 30 day written notice.

The first 3 years of any business, especially the tanning business can be tough. You will definitely need more than 3 beds to ever really be successful in indoor tanning in the long run. I recommend 7-8 with some type of sunless offering as well. Look at each tanning unit as 10-15k in revenue each. 8=100k , which is the minimum yearly income to have a chance.

tuowner

Thank you... that was definitely more sincere and more helpful. We live in a small town that when we opened had only one other tanning salon and since we opened now has grown to 4, the largest salon having 4 beds. I do offer spay tans which is something the others do not, however tanning is the sole income for our business as the others have either beauty shops or western stores in with them. We are checking into selling as well I just wanted to see what kind of time frame to give clients and how others had maybe went about telling their clients and such....

peach

If you are sure that you are going to close, I would post a notice in the store for 30 days. I would quit selling everything but visit packages so that you don't cheat anyone.

What is the population of your town? 10 mile radius. If it is 8-10k, you should be able to do 100k there with a fully developed store. Also, these folk you call competition are just pimping off of the tanning business in the peak season; they will not have new bulbs, lotions, and advise when the real tanning customers need it.

If it were me , I'd run them all out of business. As I said, I would have; 2-20 minute 32/100 bulb/watt beds (level1) 1 32/100 bulb/watt 10 minute bed, (level 2), 1 32 /160 bulb/watt 15 minute bed (level 2), 1 40-42/160 bulb/watt 12 minute bed, (level 3), 1-48/200 bulb /watt standup bed (level 3), 1 48/160 bulb watt 12 minute (level 4), 1 38/160 bulb/watt leg tanner and a 32 bulb red light bed.