Ten basic tips to opening a salon. - tanTALK

MJ · 03-10-2002, 05:22 PM

1. Location,Location,Location.

2. Lease negotiation is a must.
Buildouts, free rent, etc..these and more are available if you ask.

3. Choosing the decor, atmoshere that you WILL BE SPENDING ALOT OF TIME IN SO YOU BETTER LIKE IT! As well as not to be too girlie, or too stark. Themes are often over done. Try a gender friendly atmosphere.
guys get uncomfortable in GIRLIE salons.
LOL

4. Choose the right beds, research them and the companies. Having different levels of tanning can be an important part of your income.(upgrades)

5.Softwear choose one you are comfortable with try them all.

6. Pricing SHOULD be established before you open. Please do your homework.This is a large varible. It will make or break you.
After you chose your beds , check with your comepetitors and compare there beds to there prices. Most undervalue there tanning. YOU DON'T have to and SHOULDN'T. Just remember it is easier to go down then it is to go up.

7. Lobby/retail/waiting areas
Please be sure to have the room to grow. and if you choose to add a nailtech in the future. The lobby/waiting area should be comfortable and not an after thought. It is the first thing customers see when the walk And first impressions speak volumes to the potential client.

8. Merchandise/extra income, such as lotion, suits, what ever you carry make your choices wisely do not over order. check out trade shows, tips from other salons online or just see what your competitors are carrying.

9.Staffing, Hire sincere people well groomed At least at work Uniform shirts work well.Educate them on tanning , lotions and customer service,as well as the importance of cleaning. Simple rule "If it is dirty clean it"

10. Stay informed keep reading and posting on TanTalk. read the many threads/post and get more details on the topics listed above and many more from advertising to dealing with disgruntled customers.

Good Luck!!!
mj

_________________
"A small salon, but not for long"[ This Message was edited by: MJ on 2002-03-10 17:32 ]

MJ · 03-10-2002, 05:30 PM

It really should be 11 basic tips ..
LEARN TO BUDGET!!!
Save, save, save for slow season!
mj

tangirl · 03-10-2002, 06:39 PM

If you have the opportunity to talk to another salon owner before you do you buildout ask them what they would do differently.

I would make room for a mop sink. I would also have colored grout, so I wouldn't have to get on my hands and knees to scrub white grout anymore.

JeffinKC · 03-10-2002, 08:27 PM

MJ, this is a great post everything you said is 100 percent true. I just wanted to add that when you choose who you will buy your lotions and equipment from. Make sure they are willing to spend some time with you educating you and answering any questions you may have. When you are spending up to 6 figures opening a new salon it is scary and you should make sure you have not only a distributor but a partner.

Bronze Star · 03-11-2002, 03:15 PM

May I also suggest a few more things.

Make sure that your personal life can support the enormous stress and change this type of endeavor will bring. This will effect personal relationships on many levels. You will need to dedicate many hours over and above what is demanded of a traditional career. Spouses and children will be effected by the amount of time you will need to dedicate.

Make sure you have a good support system. Find a friend or colleague in the tanning industry that can serve as a mentor to you. Someone who is not a competitor that can offer you sage advise, wisdom and counsel.

MJ · 03-11-2002, 10:31 PM

ohhh so right Laurie, how did I forget that one???
Make that 12 basics facts..lol
any one have a thirteenth to add?
mj

Tamar · 03-12-2002, 06:37 AM

Get in to this industry for the right reasons. Learn all you can about tanning and lotions, get certified. SINCERELY care about your clients health and well being and the money will come.

Kimmee · 03-12-2002, 09:05 AM

I have found a great mentor here....

Her name is riotanmann:)

I owe her lots!

hugs hugs

Bronze Star · 03-12-2002, 09:10 AM

I found several mentors here... Bober96 aka Linda from Suntanning.com and buntanner aka Mitzi. There are a few others that when they post, I read their every word or we hang together at trade shows. Some mentor others and don't even know it.

MJ · 03-12-2002, 09:28 AM

At this point in time in a small way everyone is my mentor.I seem to learn something new everyday here.
I would like to thank Chris, Thanks for all the advise and support!! ;D
mj

LinkBacks (?) LinkBack to this Thread: http://tantalk.com/new-tanning-business/2322465-ten-basic-tips-opening-salon.html
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03-10-2002, 05:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
MJ Join Date: Jan 21 2002 Posts: 2,709 Rep Power: 23	1. Location,Location,Location. 2. Lease negotiation is a must. Buildouts, free rent, etc..these and more are available if you ask. 3. Choosing the decor, atmoshere that you WILL BE SPENDING ALOT OF TIME IN SO YOU BETTER LIKE IT! As well as not to be too girlie, or too stark. Themes are often over done. Try a gender friendly atmosphere. guys get uncomfortable in GIRLIE salons. LOL 4. Choose the right beds, research them and the companies. Having different levels of tanning can be an important part of your income.(upgrades) 5.Softwear choose one you are comfortable with try them all. 6. Pricing SHOULD be established before you open. Please do your homework.This is a large varible. It will make or break you. After you chose your beds , check with your comepetitors and compare there beds to there prices. Most undervalue there tanning. YOU DON'T have to and SHOULDN'T. Just remember it is easier to go down then it is to go up. 7. Lobby/retail/waiting areas Please be sure to have the room to grow. and if you choose to add a nailtech in the future. The lobby/waiting area should be comfortable and not an after thought. It is the first thing customers see when the walk And first impressions speak volumes to the potential client. 8. Merchandise/extra income, such as lotion, suits, what ever you carry make your choices wisely do not over order. check out trade shows, tips from other salons online or just see what your competitors are carrying. 9.Staffing, Hire sincere people well groomed At least at work Uniform shirts work well.Educate them on tanning , lotions and customer service,as well as the importance of cleaning. Simple rule "If it is dirty clean it" 10. Stay informed keep reading and posting on TanTalk. read the many threads/post and get more details on the topics listed above and many more from advertising to dealing with disgruntled customers. Good Luck!!! mj _________________ "A small salon, but not for long"[ This Message was edited by: MJ on 2002-03-10 17:32 ]

03-10-2002, 05:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
MJ Join Date: Jan 21 2002 Posts: 2,709 Rep Power: 23	It really should be 11 basic tips .. LEARN TO BUDGET!!! Save, save, save for slow season! mj

03-10-2002, 06:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
tangirl Join Date: Jul 6 2001 Posts: 1,875 Rep Power: 23	If you have the opportunity to talk to another salon owner before you do you buildout ask them what they would do differently. I would make room for a mop sink. I would also have colored grout, so I wouldn't have to get on my hands and knees to scrub white grout anymore.

03-10-2002, 08:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
JeffinKC Join Date: Apr 21 2001 Posts: 418 Rep Power: 24	MJ, this is a great post everything you said is 100 percent true. I just wanted to add that when you choose who you will buy your lotions and equipment from. Make sure they are willing to spend some time with you educating you and answering any questions you may have. When you are spending up to 6 figures opening a new salon it is scary and you should make sure you have not only a distributor but a partner.

03-11-2002, 03:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bronze Star Join Date: Apr 11 2001 Posts: 2,693 Rep Power: 24	May I also suggest a few more things. Make sure that your personal life can support the enormous stress and change this type of endeavor will bring. This will effect personal relationships on many levels. You will need to dedicate many hours over and above what is demanded of a traditional career. Spouses and children will be effected by the amount of time you will need to dedicate. Make sure you have a good support system. Find a friend or colleague in the tanning industry that can serve as a mentor to you. Someone who is not a competitor that can offer you sage advise, wisdom and counsel.

03-11-2002, 10:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
MJ Join Date: Jan 21 2002 Posts: 2,709 Rep Power: 23	ohhh so right Laurie, how did I forget that one??? Make that 12 basics facts..lol any one have a thirteenth to add? mj

03-12-2002, 06:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tamar Join Date: Aug 15 2001 Posts: 1,906 Rep Power: 23	Get in to this industry for the right reasons. Learn all you can about tanning and lotions, get certified. SINCERELY care about your clients health and well being and the money will come.

03-12-2002, 09:05 AM	#8 (permalink)
Kimmee Join Date: Jan 10 2002 Location: Gaston, SC Posts: 320 Rep Power: 23	I have found a great mentor here.... Her name is riotanmann:) I owe her lots! hugs hugs

03-12-2002, 09:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
Bronze Star Join Date: Apr 11 2001 Posts: 2,693 Rep Power: 24	I found several mentors here... Bober96 aka Linda from Suntanning.com and buntanner aka Mitzi. There are a few others that when they post, I read their every word or we hang together at trade shows. Some mentor others and don't even know it.

03-12-2002, 09:28 AM	#10 (permalink)
MJ Join Date: Jan 21 2002 Posts: 2,709 Rep Power: 23	At this point in time in a small way everyone is my mentor.I seem to learn something new everyday here. I would like to thank Chris, Thanks for all the advise and support!! ;D mj

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