looking for your 2cents - Page 4 - tanTALK

galmarode@comca · 07-06-2012, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerilynn

Mr. Oshman,

First of all, thank you for your appreciation of my husbands service. It's always nice to be appreciated.

As far as for finding a different investment, thank you for the advice but I think I would rather give it my best and fail than to never have tried it at all. This has been something I've been wanting to do for more than a decade, but I've had to put it off as I've followed my husband around the world with his military career. Since last year, I have been battling breast cancer, and I'm winning the fight! Life is short. I am on a mission to accomplish the things I've always wanted to do. My husband supports this and I know that there is nothing the two of us can not do when we put our hearts and minds to it. Our marriage has been able to remain strong even though we've spent more than half our marriage separated because of military missions. We will give it a go and with that, give it our best.

Best wishes!

Go for it. In my area tanning is seasonal mid Feb to Aug. I put back enough to survive the down turn. Contach Four Seasons or All hours tanning they will help you in all areas. There is a tanning expo in Oct if you can go you get alot of information that will help you Thank your husband for serving our country and Live the Dream.
TanLines & N
ails

tdh61611 · 07-24-2012, 12:33 PM

I too always wanted to own a tanning salon since I first started tanning in the 80's. I finally bought an existing salon 4 years ago. Boy! Was I in for a wake up call! My FIRST mistake (of many) was to not really know anything about the industry, I just loved tanning and the perception I had of a fun, carefree, environment I had when I would visit the local tanning salon. I knew nothing about equipment, lotions (except what I liked), the different lamps UVA/UVB %, electrical, and this was just the tip of the iceberg of what I didn't know. I did however know about being a business owner as I had just sold a business at quite a nice profit. I took my profits and bought my "dream".

Because of my lack of knowledge to say the least, I had to replace every bed (6 at the time), had to revamp the whole salon, add 4 more beds, hire & fire numerous staff, work countless long hours, and basically teach myself everything I possibly could about the industry.

The first two years were the most stressful times, not knowing if I would be able to even keep my doors open. I learned if I couldn't afford to pay someone $100 an hour to wire something or fix a part on a bed I better learn it myself. And I did.

I am located in a town of a population of about 23,000 and there are about 10 tanning salons I am competing with. In 2011, the economy is in the toilet and I finally realized a profit, so far this year, even with the weather being so hot and economy still in the toilet without a break in sight I am up 30% from last year.

So, I guess my advice to you would be, to follow your "dream" but before you take the plunge, do as much research and educate yourself in the industry, and all that comes with it, lotions, skin typing, electrical, equipment, taxes, regulations, negative publicity, etc, etc, etc. It takes ALOT of hard work, money, education & passion.

Good Luck to you

iamqtr · 10-08-2012, 01:37 AM

Go for it. If not you will wonder "what if". Over 26 years ago I told my husband I wanted to open a tanning salon. He supported me tho, he is always bragging about my tanning salon. What a wonderful thing to wake up every morning and enjoy going to work at my salon. Just put your passion to work for you and your clients. I went from 2 units to having 7 units. I am in a small town with under 8,000 adults. It is really nice when a family of three generations have tanned with me. I would say to start out small and grow it big. Good Luck and Your husband and family thank you for your service as you all serve together

Steve Underhill · 10-08-2012, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamqtr

Go for it. If not you will wonder "what if". Over 26 years ago I told my husband I wanted to open a tanning salon. He supported me tho, he is always bragging about my tanning salon. What a wonderful thing to wake up every morning and enjoy going to work at my salon. Just put your passion to work for you and your clients. I went from 2 units to having 7 units. I am in a small town with under 8,000 adults. It is really nice when a family of three generations have tanned with me. I would say to start out small and grow it big. Good Luck and Your husband and family thank you for your service as you all serve together

Finally, someone that gets it. There is nothing wrong with opening a business in any industry that you are interested or passionate about. Many salon owners have lost their passion because things did not go as they planned. The problem is that that did not start with a good plan. Do your research and get qualified assistance. Your level of knowledge can determine your level of success.

earthangels · 10-20-2012, 02:26 PM

I just sent you a private message, but I wanted to post something out there for everyone. The best money spent was hiring Stephen Underhill as my consultant. I'm retired military and have been the owner of a small giftshop. My town is 4600 pop and there are only 4 beds in existence in this town right now and two of the are in the basement of a business here in town that is too scary for some people to venture into. I am bringing in 3 beds to start. With all the info and instruction he has given me, I see success in my future. My shop is going to be beautiful and will be astro-turf free. I am selling the "experience" not the "tan". I'm also doing this for under $50K. As someone else stated, everyone isn't opening in large cities where you may be expected to fork over a lot of money, and some of us aren't buying a building. I felt it was smarter to lease a space first just to see how the business develops.

Some of you who have commented in the negative, do you have and are you following a business plan. I beleive that is where some people fail. They start out strong and follow their plan, but then somewhere as the money is raning down on them they decide they no longer need to follow the plan and then are surprised when their number start falling. Some of the "snarky" comments might lead some to believe you run your business with the same "snarky" attitude--this might be part of the reason you're seeing a decline in your business. Just sayin'.

Steve Underhill · 10-22-2012, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earth angels

I just sent you a private message, but I wanted to post something out there for everyone. The best money spent was hiring Stephen Underhill as my consultant. I'm retired military and have been the owner of a small gift shop. My town is 4600 pop and there are only 4 beds in existence in this town right now and two of the are in the basement of a business here in town that is too scary for some people to venture into. I am bringing in 3 beds to start. With all the info and instruction he has given me, I see success in my future. My shop is going to be beautiful and will be astro-turf free. I am selling the "experience" not the "tan". I'm also doing this for under $50K. As someone else stated, everyone isn't opening in large cities where you may be expected to fork over a lot of money, and some of us aren't buying a building. I felt it was smarter to lease a space first just to see how the business develops.

Some of you who have commented in the negative, do you have and are you following a business plan. I believe that is where some people fail. They start out strong and follow their plan, but then somewhere as the money is raning down on them they decide they no longer need to follow the plan and then are surprised when their number start falling. Some of the "snarky" comments might lead some to believe you run your business with the same "snarky" attitude--this might be part of the reason you're seeing a decline in your business. Just sayin'.

Before the negative element jumps on this post. This operator has a very nice gift shop that will be relocated to a more suitable location and compliment it with a very nice tanning section. The new look will not only increase the shop sales but will also generate an excellent additional tanning and tanning product income. Earth angles will continue to grow and have a business to and enjoy. I was able to save her substantial income with a lease negotiation and salon design. As well as a marketing plan designed specifically for her market and salon size.

peach · 10-22-2012, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Underhill

Finally, someone that gets it. There is nothing wrong with opening a business in any industry that you are interested or passionate about. Many salon owners have lost their passion because things did not go as they planned. The problem is that that did not start with a good plan. Do your research and get qualified assistance. Your level of knowledge can determine your level of success.

Steve,
While I am onboard with the enthusiasm, I have to disagree with you; not every tanning salon fails because of a poor "plan". Shifts in demagraphics, competition, etc. are largely beyond your control. personally, I don't know how anyone survives in a town of 25,000 with 8 tanning salons. What are great ideas now, simply may not work in 5 years-has nothing to do with a "plan". That is why any private business is risky including tanning. The truth of the matter is that there are still far too many tanning salons in a shrinking market.

Black Sun · 01-03-2013, 11:51 AM

Okay..it has been more than 5 months, What is the verdict? Did you open? Did you take Steves advice or look elsewhere for your 'dream'..

Share your most recent experience and what you decided to do since starting this thread.

It would be nice to hear the results

07-24-2012, 12:33 PM	#32 (permalink)
tdh61611 Join Date: Jul 24 2012 Location: Illinois Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Re: looking for your 2cents I too always wanted to own a tanning salon since I first started tanning in the 80's. I finally bought an existing salon 4 years ago. Boy! Was I in for a wake up call! My FIRST mistake (of many) was to not really know anything about the industry, I just loved tanning and the perception I had of a fun, carefree, environment I had when I would visit the local tanning salon. I knew nothing about equipment, lotions (except what I liked), the different lamps UVA/UVB %, electrical, and this was just the tip of the iceberg of what I didn't know. I did however know about being a business owner as I had just sold a business at quite a nice profit. I took my profits and bought my "dream". Because of my lack of knowledge to say the least, I had to replace every bed (6 at the time), had to revamp the whole salon, add 4 more beds, hire & fire numerous staff, work countless long hours, and basically teach myself everything I possibly could about the industry. The first two years were the most stressful times, not knowing if I would be able to even keep my doors open. I learned if I couldn't afford to pay someone $100 an hour to wire something or fix a part on a bed I better learn it myself. And I did. I am located in a town of a population of about 23,000 and there are about 10 tanning salons I am competing with. In 2011, the economy is in the toilet and I finally realized a profit, so far this year, even with the weather being so hot and economy still in the toilet without a break in sight I am up 30% from last year. So, I guess my advice to you would be, to follow your "dream" but before you take the plunge, do as much research and educate yourself in the industry, and all that comes with it, lotions, skin typing, electrical, equipment, taxes, regulations, negative publicity, etc, etc, etc. It takes ALOT of hard work, money, education & passion. Good Luck to you

10-08-2012, 01:37 AM	#33 (permalink)
iamqtr Join Date: Mar 23 2004 Location: Ketchikan, Alaska Age: 68 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0	Re: looking for your 2cents Go for it. If not you will wonder "what if". Over 26 years ago I told my husband I wanted to open a tanning salon. He supported me tho, he is always bragging about my tanning salon. What a wonderful thing to wake up every morning and enjoy going to work at my salon. Just put your passion to work for you and your clients. I went from 2 units to having 7 units. I am in a small town with under 8,000 adults. It is really nice when a family of three generations have tanned with me. I would say to start out small and grow it big. Good Luck and Your husband and family thank you for your service as you all serve together

10-20-2012, 02:26 PM	#35 (permalink)
earthangels Join Date: Sep 20 2012 Location: Osceola, Iowa Posts: 145 Rep Power: 12	Re: looking for your 2cents I just sent you a private message, but I wanted to post something out there for everyone. The best money spent was hiring Stephen Underhill as my consultant. I'm retired military and have been the owner of a small giftshop. My town is 4600 pop and there are only 4 beds in existence in this town right now and two of the are in the basement of a business here in town that is too scary for some people to venture into. I am bringing in 3 beds to start. With all the info and instruction he has given me, I see success in my future. My shop is going to be beautiful and will be astro-turf free. I am selling the "experience" not the "tan". I'm also doing this for under $50K. As someone else stated, everyone isn't opening in large cities where you may be expected to fork over a lot of money, and some of us aren't buying a building. I felt it was smarter to lease a space first just to see how the business develops. Some of you who have commented in the negative, do you have and are you following a business plan. I beleive that is where some people fail. They start out strong and follow their plan, but then somewhere as the money is raning down on them they decide they no longer need to follow the plan and then are surprised when their number start falling. Some of the "snarky" comments might lead some to believe you run your business with the same "snarky" attitude--this might be part of the reason you're seeing a decline in your business. Just sayin'.

01-03-2013, 11:51 AM	#38 (permalink)
Black Sun Join Date: Nov 19 2010 Location: GA Posts: 933 Rep Power: 14	Re: looking for your 2cents Okay..it has been more than 5 months, What is the verdict? Did you open? Did you take Steves advice or look elsewhere for your 'dream'.. Share your most recent experience and what you decided to do since starting this thread. It would be nice to hear the results

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