cyberdaizee

Hi everyone! I'm brand new here (not new to the industry, but never owned a tanning salon), and I am trying to decide whether or not opening a salon in my area would be profitable or not. I am toying with the idea of opening a small tanning salon in a small town. Granted, it small, but growing even in these economic times. It is only 10 miles from Peoria, IL, and the gap between the two towns is closing. We are in a great real estate market that is unbelievably up from last year, and construction has slowed, but is still going on!

The town I would like to open in, Dunlap, IL, has a large and growing high school, and I would like to promote to students of the school and give them discounts for monthly tanning. I know high school students are fickle, but their parents have money. The only other tanning salons are in Peoria and most are run by the same person (I used to work for her), and I think every small town around has a small hair salon with one tanning bed, but they are expensive!. I was thinking that it might be more convenient to tan in their local vicinity.

I was thinking of having a few basic tanning beds and a few upgrades. Nothing over the top, just basic tanning. I really don't have all the answers as to the actual location (there are a couple empty businesses in town) or all of that yet. I'm just trying to decide if I should even go further with my idea or not.

What do you think? I appreciate all answers you can give!

cyberdaizee

After re-reading what I wrote, it sounds like my only target market would be high schoolers, and that is not the case. I just want to be sure to add them in. I was more than happy to spend my money on tanning every day when I was in high school. I would like to market to locals in general, adults included. Are people more interested in tanning close to home or tanning close to work? I am a stay-at-home mom currently, and I know that I drive 30 minutes almost every day into Peoria to tan, and I know other people that do also.