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Old 02-17-2005, 08:28 PM   #1 (permalink)
 
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Hey guys, I've been reading over the forum topics for a few days doing research here and from some of the links posted. It's a lot to take in! Anyways, My MIL and I are looking to open a tanning salon and boutique some time in the future after we have a good business plan etc. established but I have a few questions that I either couldn't answer through the links provided or just opinion based. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Short overview: We know our location and we, as of now, have NO competition. We have not found a space and haven't decided whether to rent or own. Have plenty of start up money but that's about it.

Question 1: Are there any legal certification/licences I need to obtain in the state of Arizona? I've been to our state gov page and couldn't find anything pertaining to that.

Question 2: How big of a space do I need if I would like to have room for appx 10 beds (or room for the possibility of 10)including a booth, and possibly a dha mist booth.

Question 3: There are so many types of beds available and I'm wondering what brand/models you reccomend. I'd like at least 4-5 base (15 min) beds (1 or 2 w/ facial tanners), 2-3 10-12min beds (1 w/ facial), a nice stand up booth, and a nice mist booth.

Question 4: Anything any of you salon owners wished you knew before you opened your business that no one told you.

Thank you so much if you spend the time answering my many questions. I just like to be really prepared and from the sound of it I WILL NEED TO BE!!

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You'd think that in Arizona I could get a tan without a bed, but it's not as fun.[ This Message was edited by: GL0W on 2005-02-17 20:48 ]
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Old 02-17-2005, 08:49 PM   #2 (permalink)
 
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I know I asked a lot of questions but throw me a bone people :/
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Old 02-17-2005, 08:57 PM   #3 (permalink)
 
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Thanks Catalina_Beach! Is this the document you were referring to? http://www.arra.state.az.us/forms/arra-1005.pdf
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Old 02-17-2005, 09:17 PM   #4 (permalink)
 
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GLOW,

Here is a link with a lot of the information you are asking about below.

After you are done with that pm me and I will answer more ?'s...

http://www.tantalk.com/viewtopic.php?topic=2341630&forum=1&42
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Old 02-18-2005, 02:49 AM   #5 (permalink)
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1. Get SmartTan or NTTI certified, even if your state doesn't require it. SmartTan.com will get you there.

2. Minimum of 1100 square feet. I have 9 beds and 1 Spray booth in 1025, and I'm very cramped. You should be looking closer to 1300 sq feet or more.

3. This is like asking what is the best car out there. It depends on your goals/$$$/preferences/etc

4. Boy is this a loaded question. I'll sum it up in one word: PARKING. I wish we had paid more attention to the parking/unit ratio. Our shopping strip can't handle the 14 or 15 stores in it. Our new spot we're looking at has huge amounts, with equal/greater volume of traffic.
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Old 02-18-2005, 10:19 AM   #6 (permalink)
 
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Thank you ZABAZU! That post helped me out more than you know.

JohnyyComeLately, I was wondering about the parking problem. I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing that the space I'm looking at shares/is adjacent to a super walmart.
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Old 02-18-2005, 10:22 AM   #7 (permalink)
 
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Super Walmart equals SUPER AMOUNT of free traffic for YOU. Put bright yellow 18" by 24" signs all over touting your best monthly offer.
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Old 02-18-2005, 12:30 PM   #8 (permalink)
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I would look to that anchor as a major plus. Of course you might be an exception, but Walmart usually engineers their lots to have their own exclusive area of parking. Cities understand the amount of traffic congestion a Walmart will create, so they are usually (at least in California) VERY EXCEEDINGLY PICKY in looking over their building plans before they even break ground. A few cities here in Cali have effectively banned them from opening for reasons such as this (traffic).

You can also be assured that they did a great breakdown in demograpics/location and chose that site based upon favorable conditions. A bonus for you! I would look, however for other associated convienence stores located in your strip that will keep the shoppers there and pull them for other convience trips. Just a Walmart alone, will (in my humble and relative newby opinion) create very transient traffic with little "stick". Meaning, they'll pull in quickly, grab their item and be off. If you've got other associated services that your demographic (6 out of 7 are female, and 18-33) will stay to visit (hair salon, nails, dry cleaning, etc). And get an EXCLUSIVE lock written into your lease (Thanks Gary at Grip for this one). Write into teh lease no other tanning salons, and existing are not allowed to add it. Penalty should be a landlord's breach of contract allowing immediate termination of lease at your election.
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Old 02-18-2005, 04:29 PM   #9 (permalink)
 
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Great ideas Johnny! Thanks! Other stores in the "towne center" include Best Buy, Home Depot, Ross, Pier 1, Lowes, etc. and most of the big name restaurants including Olive Garden and Red Lobster. The center is pretty new with new stores still being built and is in an area where TONS AND TONS of homes are being built. Homes are appreciating like 30,000 per year from what a realtor told me. !!!

Anyways, new question: Is this a good package of beds? Opinions please
http://www.tanses.com/P1004-08.htm
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Old 02-19-2005, 07:39 AM   #10 (permalink)
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We have a salon with 11 beds and we have 1,900 square feet.
I like Tan America(a lot of levels),Future Industries (Sungate), UWE (Sclass),UltraSun(a lot of levels), ETS (Sunscape only),Soltron, Magic636 and Heartland (only on reputation we do not own any) and the Bermuda Triangle stand up!
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