timeout888

I think that's a risk no matter what size salon you open.

DWhite6872

yep...your name on the line is always serious...I recently had to give away one of our children in a deal...very touchy subject.

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Any Advice given please consider the size of your market![ This Message was edited by: DWhite6872 on 2005-07-16 14:52 ]

vt800ho

I hope it all works for you, making new kids is painful as well i hear !

soapking

It can be done very easily and very profitable. Leif had introduced this concept years ago. Make 500K in only 900sq ft. It works nicely, depending on equipment choice. The old Solar Planet concept consisted of only Orbits and Omegas. Many succeded with it. It can be done today, and still is being done today.

I have, in time, visted 25+ bed salons in the middle of tanning season, and they always seemes empty. Quality beds with a 12minute or les TE, + fast turn around + small space/low rent = High ROI.

DWhite6872

Okay, I am open to new ideas...but tell me how you make 500k in 900 sq.ft.? Soapking, what have you experienced in your market?

soapking

Of course this concept works only in specific markets..like nyc/sf/la/atl/chi. Using a high performance bed, such as the orbit and an hp bed, add a standup, you could get 7 units in a space under a 1000 ft. Your marketing is aimed at those with a high disposable income. You do not aim towards the coupon clippers or penny savers. Tans begin @ 15-$18 for 12minute (your base) session, offering HP at $35 walk-in. Packages accordingly. Now, today with all the offerings in the HP arena, this could be accomplished even more: selections with HP standups, 360', matress and hybrid could all bring high ROI if placed correctly. It is being done.

I believe, the days of the 32lamp, 20 minute sessions are over. There is a large market of serious tanners out there. They are more sophisticated than in the past. They understand the science behind tanning since they have been doing it for years, and know what they want and demand. You just have to tap into them.

sunsally

I agree with Soapking - it can work, but in limited markets and with limited applications. We saw a similar concept in my market, also with the addition of Sunless. They were making money hand-over-fist when they were the only HP and only Spray and spray was getting $25/session. Now Sunless has been seriously flooded and more and better HP has entered the market and they're half of what they were. Part of it was not staying current - updating the HP and VHR might have helped.

I also agree the days of the 32 lamp, 20 min session are over. However, I think there is still a strong place for a 32 lamp, 15 min bed. The "levels" of tanning brings serious $$ if done properly, and the base 15 min bed is a fast enough "turn" and an important part of the mix. But NEVER more than 50% of your units, and better with more like 25-33%. As long as you know what you are doing , and will "SELL" the upgrades from the start!

A "high performance" salon can be particularly good in a market where you "own" it already, located nearby a store that is maxing out with no room to expand. A smaller high performance salon nearby can offload some capacity and off-load some of your high end only customers while leaving the original salon to service those doing them all.