New Biz - tanTALK

GatorGirl · 07-29-2001, 12:06 AM

I'm not only new, I haven't even started! I am seriously looking into buying an existing tanning salon. It has a strong customer base and is located in a great area. My question, one of many, is what do most of you see as the owners monthly benefit? By the way...I just realized that my usual login name (GatorGirl...UF) isn't very appropriate for this. I do have nice skin :*>!! I truly appreciate anyone's input.

BooBop · 07-29-2001, 03:18 PM

Just what do you mean by monthly benefit? LOL on the gator name,,,, Quote:Originally posted by GatorGirl:I'm not only new, I haven't even started! I am seriously looking into buying an existing tanning salon. It has a strong customer base and is located in a great area. My question, one of many, is what do most of you see as the owners monthly benefit? By the way...I just realized that my usual login name (GatorGirl...UF) isn't very appropriate for this. I do have nice skin :*>!! I truly appreciate anyone's input.

Bronze Star · 07-29-2001, 04:22 PM

Welcome Gator!!!I am also a wannabee salon owner. You've come to the right place. Do you have the salon all picked out? Have you made any feeler offers yet? Our resident expert on purchasing existing salons is out of town this weekend, but will be back tomorrow... she's Forever Tan.Oh, buntanner... didn't you buy an existing salon too??!!! Correct me please, if I am wrong!PS - Gator, I moved your topic to this forum specially designed for Newbies' questions.

BooBop · 07-29-2001, 04:46 PM

Yes I did buy an existing salon. And have come a long way from what it was 4 years ago.I just don't understand what Gatorgirls question means. Sorry.

GatorGirl · 07-29-2001, 04:59 PM

Let's see...what DO I mean? Hmmm, I think I want to know if this business brings in a good amount of cash flow to the owner. Is it profitable? I hope I'm asking the right way. Thank goodness my hubby will be taking care of the business end of it!!

GatorGirl · 07-29-2001, 05:04 PM

By the way, thanks for putting me in the right spot! You guys & gals seem very nice!BunnTanner, are you happy with your decision to jump into this business? The salon I'm looking at is nice, but, I'm also thinking about opening a new one in an untouched area.Decisions...Decisions!!!

BooBop · 07-29-2001, 07:12 PM

I am very happy with my salon. When I bought it I didn't have a clue of running a salon. I bought it as a 5 bed salon. The previous owner had let it run down hill very much. So the first couple of years was really tough going. But we will be celebrating 4 years Aug 11th and now have 13 (yes lucky 13) beds. I got rid of all her old equipment with in the first 2 years and upgraded and added beds. We are now considered the #1 tanning salon in our town, and yes that is a voted concensous of the towns people via local newspaper.Now don't think you are gonna get rich right off the bat. It will take time and you need to hoard you earnings during the busy season for the off season. Once you get a couple of seasons under your belt, it will get easier. Hope this helps.

BOBER96 · 07-30-2001, 10:58 AM

I started from scratch but may have a few words of wisdom here (or not, LOL!)The age and condition of the equipment play a vital role. If it is old and beat up or outdated, you will be looking at more expense right off the bat. A lot depends on the size of the salon and you client base. Your active clients are a big deal. If you have 5000 people in your client base, but only 200 active, you need to look at that. The price is obviously a factor, as is financing. When I started out, I made the mistake of underestimating everything and haven't made much money still because I have upgraded equipment 5 times in 4 years to catch up to where I should be. It is an ever changing business....there is always newer, better, faster, bigger, etc. A real Keep-Up-With-the-Jones'-type of business.

GatorGirl · 07-30-2001, 09:14 PM

Thanks for all the great info! I've really gotten some great ideas and information from this place!I'll keep you guys/gals updated. If anyone else wants to give some input, I will be checking. Thanks again!!!!!

07-29-2001, 12:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
GatorGirl Join Date: Jul 28 2001 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	I'm not only new, I haven't even started! I am seriously looking into buying an existing tanning salon. It has a strong customer base and is located in a great area. My question, one of many, is what do most of you see as the owners monthly benefit? By the way...I just realized that my usual login name (GatorGirl...UF) isn't very appropriate for this. I do have nice skin :*>!! I truly appreciate anyone's input.

07-29-2001, 03:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
BooBop I love Derf!! Join Date: Apr 5 2001 Age: 66 Posts: 7,766 Rep Power: 28	Just what do you mean by monthly benefit? LOL on the gator name,,,, Quote:Originally posted by GatorGirl:I'm not only new, I haven't even started! I am seriously looking into buying an existing tanning salon. It has a strong customer base and is located in a great area. My question, one of many, is what do most of you see as the owners monthly benefit? By the way...I just realized that my usual login name (GatorGirl...UF) isn't very appropriate for this. I do have nice skin :*>!! I truly appreciate anyone's input.

07-29-2001, 04:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bronze Star Join Date: Apr 11 2001 Posts: 2,693 Rep Power: 24	Welcome Gator!!!I am also a wannabee salon owner. You've come to the right place. Do you have the salon all picked out? Have you made any feeler offers yet? Our resident expert on purchasing existing salons is out of town this weekend, but will be back tomorrow... she's Forever Tan.Oh, buntanner... didn't you buy an existing salon too??!!! Correct me please, if I am wrong!PS - Gator, I moved your topic to this forum specially designed for Newbies' questions.

07-29-2001, 04:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
BooBop I love Derf!! Join Date: Apr 5 2001 Age: 66 Posts: 7,766 Rep Power: 28	Yes I did buy an existing salon. And have come a long way from what it was 4 years ago.I just don't understand what Gatorgirls question means. Sorry.

07-29-2001, 04:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
GatorGirl Join Date: Jul 28 2001 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Let's see...what DO I mean? Hmmm, I think I want to know if this business brings in a good amount of cash flow to the owner. Is it profitable? I hope I'm asking the right way. Thank goodness my hubby will be taking care of the business end of it!!

07-29-2001, 05:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
GatorGirl Join Date: Jul 28 2001 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	By the way, thanks for putting me in the right spot! You guys & gals seem very nice!BunnTanner, are you happy with your decision to jump into this business? The salon I'm looking at is nice, but, I'm also thinking about opening a new one in an untouched area.Decisions...Decisions!!!

07-29-2001, 07:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
BooBop I love Derf!! Join Date: Apr 5 2001 Age: 66 Posts: 7,766 Rep Power: 28	I am very happy with my salon. When I bought it I didn't have a clue of running a salon. I bought it as a 5 bed salon. The previous owner had let it run down hill very much. So the first couple of years was really tough going. But we will be celebrating 4 years Aug 11th and now have 13 (yes lucky 13) beds. I got rid of all her old equipment with in the first 2 years and upgraded and added beds. We are now considered the #1 tanning salon in our town, and yes that is a voted concensous of the towns people via local newspaper.Now don't think you are gonna get rich right off the bat. It will take time and you need to hoard you earnings during the busy season for the off season. Once you get a couple of seasons under your belt, it will get easier. Hope this helps.

07-30-2001, 10:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
BOBER96 Join Date: Oct 17 2000 Posts: 905 Rep Power: 24	I started from scratch but may have a few words of wisdom here (or not, LOL!)The age and condition of the equipment play a vital role. If it is old and beat up or outdated, you will be looking at more expense right off the bat. A lot depends on the size of the salon and you client base. Your active clients are a big deal. If you have 5000 people in your client base, but only 200 active, you need to look at that. The price is obviously a factor, as is financing. When I started out, I made the mistake of underestimating everything and haven't made much money still because I have upgraded equipment 5 times in 4 years to catch up to where I should be. It is an ever changing business....there is always newer, better, faster, bigger, etc. A real Keep-Up-With-the-Jones'-type of business.

07-30-2001, 09:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
GatorGirl Join Date: Jul 28 2001 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for all the great info! I've really gotten some great ideas and information from this place!I'll keep you guys/gals updated. If anyone else wants to give some input, I will be checking. Thanks again!!!!!

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