GLOSUN

My question is- how many salons or those that have extra add on services along with their tanning units would recommended and what service would they suggest? (Red Light, Massage unit, Nails/Pedis...) We currently have the tanning beds up to Level 4 and we offer the Versa Spa/Pro. We have been looking in to the massage units such as: Aqua Massage & Spa Capsule. Any feed back on profitable or good add on would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!
Katie

parrot head

Whatever you do, don't do nails. The acrylic smell is very offensive, and the costs of the air exchangers are prohibitive. My personal feeling is, do what you do best, and forget the other frills. I have tried them all.

TanRepairBook

I strongly agree with Parrot head, your advice and passion is what sells the client your service, not that the service is available. I have a few clients that has success with having more services, but most ends up getting rid of them after a few years to try something new. The most successful salons I service, does tanning only and are current with knowledge through Smart Tan, ASA and anything that can give them the tools to give the client a great experience.

delany

massage beds don't make money and red light seems to be regulated too much. Spray is the only thing I have seen make money. I did lashes and facials out of my salon, but it was a hard sell since people don't want to go to a tanning salon for services like that.

peach

I have a leg tanner, a spray tan unit, a red light unit, and have recently bought a used hydro massage unit. These are all products that can be relatively easily managed through a timer system from one location. They are all complementary to tanning. They are not great products in terms of individual product sales. However, that is not my only goal. My goals are to; 1) increase upgrade package sales by adding value for the high priced packages, and 2) continuing to make my salon unique as compared to my competition. These are more than adequate reasons to diversify your salon.

parrot head

^^^^It will take years to recover your expense of diversifying. These are just not an easy sell to your tanning customers, upgrades or not.

peach

Spray tan unit-$2,500
Leg Tanner-$1,000
Hydro Massage-$1,000
Red Light-bulbs Cost-$500

Total diversity Cost- $5,000
Sales increase YTD $12,000

nuff said.

parrot head

And then they woke up. The only thing decent here is the spray tan . The other units are worthless in most salon settings. nuff said

mosalonowner

Where did you get a Hyrdo Massage for only $1000?

peach

Craigslist; it was out of a closed down planet beach-its the only place to buy used equipment-but go look at it first in person. Do your homework.

Look, the most important thing you can do is to set yourself apart. Make your higher level packages more valuable. You will never be able to outgun these giant franchises that rent top of the line equipment and rotate it every year. But you can diversify your services. Combo packages of red light and UV are becoming very popular in our store. people who do not want facial exposure use the leg tanner, Spray tanners want a boost of color, massages cost $75 with humans; just pop them in the Hydro massage and make an easy $20. Its a bargain. A normal body wrap is $100;use a fit wrap or formostar, at let the customer wrap themselves, and make $35.

I have patterned my salon after a successful 15 salon chain in Atlanta. In their stores, they have everything that I mentioned plus the formostar weight loss, system. Red light, legs, spray tan , weight loss-they have it all. And their weight loss system stays booked.