Silverlake

Hello everyone,
I guess it's time to quit lurking and jump in and ask questions.

I am contemplating buying an existing but severely outdated video rental store. I believe I can boost the current video rentals to a little better than the break even point (including a modest salary). I am trying to decide if adding a few tanning beds will help or hurt my bottom line.

A few details: The store is in a small (pop. 2500) lakefront village that has several adjoining lakefront villages that will be in the target market. The store is approx. 3000 sq. ft. that is located 1 block off of the "main drag" through town and a public beach. Neighboring businesses include a very popular Italian retaurant, Village Hall, and not much else. There is a new restaurant coming in the next few mos and some office space has been leased to new occupants. There are only 2 tan salons in the area ( ~10 mile radius). One of these has 6 beds and a stand up that is looking a little shabby; the other has 4 beds and a stand up, this one is a little neater. Both of them are difficult to get appts after 3:00 pm most months. Demographics: Income ranges from 25 - 350K, the majority around 50K. The age bell curve peaks around 25 -35. These are "lake-oriented" communities (ie: lot of boaters, skiers, etc.)

The last, and probably most important, fact is that I have absolutely no experience as a business owner.

Any advice you experienced owners could give a wanna be would be most appreciated.

Steve Underhill

There is a Video store owner in Odessa TX that took a section of his store and put tanning in several years ago. He now has two very successful tanning salons and the video store. If you would like to private message me I will give you his phone number so you can discuss what you are going to do, I am sure he will be happy to talk to you. In fact he spends a lot of time on tantalk.

Shoshannah

Hi Silverlake!

I am a mobile airbrush tech in your area. Silver lake is a territory I do mobile tanning in for the past 3 years including surrounding towns and I work at 3 salons part time as a technician for airbrush tanning. I actually bought my equipment from the owner of the Italian Restaurant in town.She owns an airbrush tanning business that is nationwide and has been a great support to my business from day one. I have steady regualr clients at all 3 salons and make a very decent living doing just airbrush tans. I recently left my full time job to do this and I love it. As for the salons in the area, I think they are exceptionally knowledgable. I know both owners quite well and both are impeccably clean as I have tanned at both on a regular basis for the past few years.I actually know the bulbs are changed regualrly and in a timely manner because at both locations they keep a record of the minutes used on the beds and I also know both just changed bulbs on all bed in the past few months. My husband helps them at times maintain the beds so I see how well they are cared for and kept up. I also know both salon have certified staff and there sales skills are top notch. Both owners have years of experience in the industry and one has stores in malls for years because they are also manufacturers of tanning lotions and there own bath and body line and skin care line. The area is growing so I wish you luck in your endeavor. If you have any questions that Ican help you with let me know.

Neon Beach

Gee, people in that town are up there? Own nationwide airbrush businesses, and they are lotion manufacturers too.

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Shoshannah

I bought my equipment and was trained in their training facility in Lake Geneva , Wisconsin. I attended several of their training seminars since then and the company actually manufacturers in illinois I believe. It is a family owned business and they supply over 50+ kiosks in the malls nationwide such as the kiosks that sell nail care and bath and body products. They have been in Gurnee Mills,and all Mills corp malls for over 12 years. Do you think company owners all must come from big cities? I know both salons are very friendly with each other and share ideas regularly. Perhaps you should ask them for advice in your new business.

Shoshannah

It amazes me how negative this board is. I am new here and i was excited to chat with someone from my area and even help. Silverlake, if you want to contact me for any other help,advice, or add me as a tech at your salon, go next door to the Italian restaurant and ask Linda how to contact me. Best of luck!

Neon Beach

Whaaaa? Maybe you are reading negativity into too much.

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Dustin

Yeah, I would say so