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Old 07-18-2013, 02:05 PM   #31 (permalink)
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Re: CONSULTANTS??? Do you use

I'm optimistic!

Worst thing that can happen in the immediate future is the new FDA regs. Smart operators will be ready to pounce on markets that have older salons with older beds that are not properly classified.

They will open new salons with new equipment to fill the void left by the salons that cannot afford to get new compliant equipment.

When there is blood in the streets...
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Old 07-19-2013, 07:15 AM   #32 (permalink)
 
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Re: CONSULTANTS??? Do you use

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I'm optimistic!

Worst thing that can happen in the immediate future is the new FDA regs. Smart operators will be ready to pounce on markets that have older salons with older beds that are not properly classified.

They will open new salons with new equipment to fill the void left by the salons that cannot afford to get new compliant equipment.

When there is blood in the streets...
I do not see how that could be an optimistic scenario for anyone in the tanning industry. The only salons that will survive then will be a few of those with really deep pockets. (large franchises). Owning a small business in the tanning industry (which is what drove the growth of this industry) will out of reach for the average American. Tens of thousands of people in this industry could lose their jobs and their livelihoods. Manufacturers and suppliers to this industry will close and contract even more, and, consumers will pay higher prices and have far less choices.

Is that really the world that you are looking forward to? God help us.
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Old 07-19-2013, 03:05 PM   #33 (permalink)
 
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Re: CONSULTANTS??? Do you use

I'm sick of dealing with the negatives of this industry, every time someone asks me what I do for a living I cringe, I know it's gonna be a negative comment and I'm not gonna get into a discussion about it, most of the time you can't win. It's frustrating always worrying what bogus report is gonna come out this week and destroy sales, and now may even close us down, how are you as a business suppose to function, it's depressing!
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Old 07-19-2013, 04:03 PM   #34 (permalink)
 
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Re: CONSULTANTS??? Do you use

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I'm sick of dealing with the negatives of this industry, every time someone asks me what I do for a living I cringe, I know it's gonna be a negative comment and I'm not gonna get into a discussion about it, most of the time you can't win. It's frustrating always worrying what bogus report is gonna come out this week and destroy sales, and now may even close us down, how are you as a business suppose to function, it's depressing!
I have been on this earth for 57 years, and I have not seen in my lifetime an industry openly persecuted more than the indoor tanning industry. Even the tobacco industry defended themselves in court with none of the positive issues that this industry has to defend itself with. The tobacco industry was nailed dead to rights with undeniable data and no other factors to blame the results on, yet they admirably defended their industry in court. Yes, they had deep pockets but some lawyer I am sure would take on these doctors if the damages could be proven in court in a class action law suit. Millions and millions of dollars have already been lost in this industry due to the smear tactics employed by these board certified liars.

Our industry has been assailed with no evidence whatsoever that would stand up to legal scrutiny, yet we cower like a yard dog getting his next whipping. When is someone going to take these smear merchants to court?
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Old 07-21-2013, 08:22 PM   #35 (permalink)
 
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Re: CONSULTANTS??? Do you use

That's the most annoying thing, the lies, and they get away with it and no one understands what the real story is about, and were like sitting ducks waiting for the next round to start or now the end.
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Old 07-22-2013, 02:14 PM   #36 (permalink)
 
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Re: CONSULTANTS??? Do you use

We were well over that. You need to diversify and offer more services than just tanning. Tanning beds, airbrushing, spay tan, spa services and boutique, etc... it all adds to the bottom line.
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Old 07-22-2013, 02:27 PM   #37 (permalink)
 
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Re: CONSULTANTS??? Do you use

While diversity can be a good thing, that doesn't answer the real question; could you survive without selling UV light? I think the answer would be NO for 95 % of us. Nor should we have to. As I have said before, if the Feds move to restrict tanning, the industry leadership has no choice but to file a class action lawsuit on behalf of the industry's 19,000 small businesses in this country.
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Old 07-29-2013, 12:40 PM   #38 (permalink)
 
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Re: CONSULTANTS??? Do you use

Quote:
Originally Posted by peach View Post
I have been on this earth for 57 years, and I have not seen in my lifetime an industry openly persecuted more than the indoor tanning industry. Even the tobacco industry defended themselves in court with none of the positive issues that this industry has to defend itself with. The tobacco industry was nailed dead to rights with undeniable data and no other factors to blame the results on, yet they admirably defended their industry in court. Yes, they had deep pockets but some lawyer I am sure would take on these doctors if the damages could be proven in court in a class action law suit. Millions and millions of dollars have already been lost in this industry due to the smear tactics employed by these board certified liars.

Our industry has been assailed with no evidence whatsoever that would stand up to legal scrutiny, yet we cower like a yard dog getting his next whipping. When is someone going to take these smear merchants to court?
That someone must be you and every salon owner. We must invest in our own defense instead of asking when someone else will defend us. It takes money to create a defense and if all salon operators invested these attacks could be defended.
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Old 07-29-2013, 01:09 PM   #39 (permalink)
 
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Re: CONSULTANTS??? Do you use

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I agree with everything that you said, especially the promising of levels of profitability and increased sales. But with consultants, the improvement must be measurable in these areas or you will soon be out of a job and client leads. However, paying someone 10k to get a 10k yearly increase in sales would not be a great investment but maybe worth the risk to some salon owners.

I have an extensive list of references that potential clients can refer if needed and I am sure that Steve does as well.

All consultants have to balance their advise with the cold hard truth. There will be times when the clients cost structure will make them non-competitive; other times market saturation will make investing more money an unwise choice. As a consultant, you must be willing to give that advise when the evidence and data dictates, which may mean losing a client or 2 along the way.

Your best bullet point was- "do not let your tanning salon become stale" constantly change it even if you are happy with your profitability. Keeping your store interesting is the most important thing an established store can do.
There are many different situations that a salon operator can find themselves in.

Burnt out because nothing seems to work.

Frustrated because their business that was once profitable is now struggling and they don't know why.

Not willing to execute the required task to be successful because it takes too much effort and they do not want to work that hard.

Opened a salon without an effective business model and has never tasted success.

Opened in a market that will not support a tanning salon.

Absolutely no advertising and believes advertising is a waste of money.

Did not change with the times, especially in regards to todays marketing.

Terrible salon structure and pricing.

No training for staff or incentive for staff.

The operator that blames everything and everyone except for the person that is responsible.

Can a Consultant help in all of these situations? Yes a qualified one can.

In almost every case a long detailed conversation with a consultant that should cost nothing will help an operator refocus and have a much better understanding of what is required to help their particular situation. At that point a salon operator is in a better situation to determine if assistance is needed or they now have a better understanding of what they must do to change their situation.

People that do nothing will never experience any positive change. Those that finally realize that something must change or they will probably fail and loose everything are more likely to identify and make those changes and in many cases that requires qualified assistance.

If you notice the people that suggest Consultants are not needed are people that have never used one. Those that have gotten assistance always say it is worth every penny spent.

This is probably the reason every fortune 500 company uses a variety of Consulting companies. Nothing more powerful than surrounding yourself with knowledgeable people.
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Old 10-17-2013, 01:01 PM   #40 (permalink)
 
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Re: CONSULTANTS??? Do you use

I use a Consultant to wash my car, they can also be used as a mop.
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