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Old 01-14-2013, 09:22 PM   #1 (permalink)
 
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New Salon Questions

Hey Everyone,

I have been on here the last week or so trying to do a lot of reading and trying to learn lots before making my first post. I am considering opening a tanning salon in my city in Canada.

Local population is 250,000 - one of the top 3 fastest growing cities in the country, and the economy here is quite strong.

Likely would be looking at leasing in a high traffic area in a strip mall development between 1300-1400 sq foot.

I think I would like to start with 1 stand up, 1 HP, and 3-4 of another bed, & 1 Red Light Therapy. I like the look of the Soltron equipment most...I am thinking of partnering with www.uvalux.com. What would be a good bed for the 3-4 more base level beds, I would like something with HP facial tanners, shoulder tanners, 12 minute max, and a couple bells and whistles. Any idea what these beds typically run for cost?

Any suggestions for a HP. I used to use the Mastersun 360 and was really happy with it, not sure if it is still in production or not.

Also do you think introducing Red Light Therapy and possibly a Hydro Massage Bed would be a good idea or no?

I look forward to any advice that you can offer.
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Old 01-15-2013, 06:18 AM   #2 (permalink)
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Re: New Salon Questions

Welcome to Tantalk!

A few things to start considering as you think about opening ANY new business - including a salon........

1. First - read, read, read! Go through all the "new to the tanning business" threads, especially the "sticky" ones at the top. Then look through the "sticky" posts in some of the other sections. Lots of good information here - that will save you $$ and heartache down the road!

2. From the small amount you have shared you SEEM - like most new salon owners - to have the cart before the horse. Maybe not - there may be plenty not shared. But MOST new salon owners focus FIRST on the equipment..........or decor. And those are the last things to consider. See Pt #3 below...

3. Remember - FIRST, this is a business. SECOND, this is sales. THIRD (and a distant 3rd) - this is about tanning. Think in that order as you analyze this potential opportunity and your skills and you will be best served.
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Old 01-15-2013, 06:23 AM   #3 (permalink)
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Re: New Salon Questions

Specifically (and not trying to be nitpicky or mean - just trying to help you think this through....) - the "red flags" for me from what you wrote:

You may have already decided on a spot - 1300-1400s.f. in a high traffic strip development. Questions that come to mind for me on that:


1. How close is the nearest competitor?

2. How much is the rent?

3. What are the dimensions of the space (some fit tanning beds more efficiently than others)?

4. Will you have "exclusivity" in this space (nobody else can offer tanning, spray tanning , red light, spray,... - hair salons, gyms,....)

5. What are the other businesses around you - do they attract similar demographic customers?
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Old 01-15-2013, 06:34 AM   #4 (permalink)
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Re: New Salon Questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by tobysdesk View Post
I think I would like to start with 1 stand up, 1 HP, and 3-4 of another bed, & 1 Red Light Therapy. I like the look of the Soltron equipment most...I am thinking of partnering with www.uvalux.com. What would be a good bed for the 3-4 more base level beds, I would like something with HP facial tanners, shoulder tanners, 12 minute max, and a couple bells and whistles. Any idea what these beds typically run for cost?

Any suggestions for a HP. I used to use the Mastersun 360 and was really happy with it, not sure if it is still in production or not.

Also do you think introducing Red Light Therapy and possibly a Hydro Massage Bed would be a good idea or no?

I look forward to any advice that you can offer.

1. Why this particular mix?

2. Just an FYI - "partnering" with uvalux will just mean you are buying beds from them. They are a sales organization. You are a prospect. Nothing wrong with that, but don't lose sight of that as you are in discussions. THEIR goal will be to sell you equipment. That may, or may not, fit best with the goals you are trying to achieve.

3. Your mix - are you thinking about 3 levels of pricing - 3 or 4 "base level" beds with facial tanners, shoulder tanners, bells and whistles, 12 min time frame (note - these sound more like VHR beds - like a Banana Beach (?) - and probably run 20-30K new, each, from what you are describing), then a 360 HP and a standup?? Plus red light?

4. What is making you consider Red Light and Hydro massage?
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Old 01-15-2013, 06:37 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Re: New Salon Questions

Other considerations:

1. How much $$ are you allocating to build out? Do you plan to do portable walls or build out? Are you thinking about opening this year or doing your research now and being prepared to open by next late fall?

2. Is this something you plan to operate yourself? Or hire others? If operating yourself, will you be having to leave a current job to start this up? Will you have any outside income and/or benefits (e.g. through a spouse) if you do this?


Lots of questions to get you started!! :-) Tell us a little more about your goals and how you got to this point and we can probably help direct you toward a successful path!
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Old 01-15-2013, 07:18 PM   #6 (permalink)
 
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Re: New Salon Questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by sunsally View Post
Other considerations:

1. How much $$ are you allocating to build out? Do you plan to do portable walls or build out? Are you thinking about opening this year or doing your research now and being prepared to open by next late fall?

2. Is this something you plan to operate yourself? Or hire others? If operating yourself, will you be having to leave a current job to start this up? Will you have any outside income and/or benefits (e.g. through a spouse) if you do this?


Lots of questions to get you started!! :-) Tell us a little more about your goals and how you got to this point and we can probably help direct you toward a successful path!

Hey,

Thank-you for all your questions; I am going to answer them as best I can at the moment.

1. How close is the nearest competitor?
I am considering 2 separate buildings as a lease, Building 1 - is on a street with two lower end franchised tanning businesses Canadian franchises - and two hair salons (same owner with a less than desirable reputation) with a few tanning beds.

(Keep in mind this is a very busy 6 lane street that goes the entire length of the entire east side of the city, so it is spread out)

Building 2, has a gym near by with 1 tanning bed - lower power 20 minute bed, and one other tanning salon near by with mix of beds and one HP. It is not a very well maintained business, I paid a visit there this weekend.

Both buildings I am considering I would say have much better street frontage then and parking and are in newly developed properties.

2. How much is the rent?

30.00/per square foot (annually) - typical going rate for prime retail property in my city is 26.00-30.00/psf

3. What are the dimensions of the space (some fit tanning beds more efficiently than others)?

I haven't heard back from my agent I asked this this morning, both properties are 1300-1400sq feet - looking at them I would say approx 21X60

4. Will you have "exclusivity" in this space (nobody else can offer tanning, spray tanning , red light, spray,... - hair salons, gyms,....)
No body else is offering red light, of all these competitors 2 have spray tan - Mystic

5. What are the other businesses around you - do they attract similar demographic customers?
Businesses closes to both locations are; national retailers, national restaurant chains, Dr offices, professional buildings, high schools, university - location 1, gyms, mall, car dealers, with residential close to to both locations

1. How much $$ are you allocating to build out? Do you plan to do portable walls or build out? Are you thinking about opening this year or doing your research now and being prepared to open by next late fall?

I would be not using portable walls. I would like to spend a fair bit on the build and company branding as I feel these are important. Thankfully my family owns a general contracting company so I wont be paying through the nose for the electrical, plumbing, and build. I am not in a huge rush to get open, I would like things to be well thought out and organized.



2. Is this something you plan to operate yourself? Or hire others? If operating yourself, will you be having to leave a current job to start this up? Will you have any outside income and/or benefits (e.g. through a spouse) if you do this?

I will be leaving my job to become owner/operator. I am not married, and have no kids. I have money saved I would like to put 50K of my own money in at a minimum, and I would still have money left in the bank. I also will be able to qualify for an interest free loan for up to 7 years.



2. Just an FYI - "partnering" with uvalux will just mean you are buying beds from them. They are a sales organization. You are a prospect. Nothing wrong with that, but don't lose sight of that as you are in discussions. THEIR goal will be to sell you equipment. That may, or may not, fit best with the goals you are trying to achieve.

There web site and catalogue just looked the most reputable for the Canadian market. That is why I said them.

3. Your mix - are you thinking about 3 levels of pricing - 3 or 4 "base level" beds with facial tanners, shoulder tanners, bells and whistles, 12 min time frame (note - these sound more like VHR beds - like a Banana Beach (?) - and probably run 20-30K new, each, from what you are describing), then a 360 HP and a standup?? Plus red light?

I was thinking I would have 2 levels of pricing...

HP as one level
The stand up and other lay down bed as a 2nd level

Red light would be separate

I am also open to:

1 - HP
Upper level - 1 - Stand Up/1 - Upper Level Bed
Lower level - 3 lower level beds

I know that HP beds usually run around 30K, but what is the price range for beds in those other categories? Can you get a pretty decent bed for 10K?

How do you have the beds in your place? What percentage of your clients use what beds? And what beds do you have?

4. What is making you consider Red Light and Hydro massage?

I feel these are two services that are not offered that would set my place apart from competition. What do you think of these products?
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Old 01-16-2013, 08:13 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Re: New Salon Questions

I'd like to add my two cents here about red light and hydro massage. I've tried many add ons to my existing tanning salon, and none of them were worth the time and money, to have them. I now have red light therapy, which never gets used, and requires constant commentment from customers to use it at least 4 times week. Nobody sticks with that commentment. I tried hydro massage, and it was a total bust, along with having a massage therapist, and renting her a room. Again, a total bust. I've also tried the infared sauna thing, and this also makes me no money what-so-ever. These add ons have been just a passing fad, so I stick with what I know best, tanning.
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Old 01-16-2013, 11:21 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Re: New Salon Questions

I am proof that you can make big bucks in RTL, but...

I did it as a spa, not as a tanning salon or "tanning spa" and it was a major focus of our business. If you are going to do it as an "add-on", skip it and focus on HP and spray.

If you do go with RTL, let me know and I will help you the best I can.

Best wishes and like Sunsally said; Read, Read, Read before you make a single move.
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Old 01-17-2013, 11:53 AM   #9 (permalink)
 
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Re: New Salon Questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by tobysdesk View Post
Hey Everyone,

I have been on here the last week or so trying to do a lot of reading and trying to learn lots before making my first post. I am considering opening a tanning salon in my city in Canada.

Local population is 250,000 - one of the top 3 fastest growing cities in the country, and the economy here is quite strong.

Likely would be looking at leasing in a high traffic area in a strip mall development between 1300-1400 sq foot.

I think I would like to start with 1 stand up, 1 HP, and 3-4 of another bed, & 1 Red Light Therapy. I like the look of the Soltron equipment most...I am thinking of partnering with www.uvalux.com. What would be a good bed for the 3-4 more base level beds, I would like something with HP facial tanners, shoulder tanners, 12 minute max, and a couple bells and whistles. Any idea what these beds typically run for cost?

Any suggestions for a HP. I used to use the Mastersun 360 and was really happy with it, not sure if it is still in production or not.

Also do you think introducing Red Light Therapy and possibly a Hydro Massage Bed would be a good idea or no?

I look forward to any advice that you can offer.
Location is very important. Keep in mind you will draw your tanners from a 3 mile radius. That radius gets smaller with a smaller salon.

When opening a smaller salon you do not have the luxiry to waste any valuable space with red light or Hydro massage.

Show special attention where the majority of your income will be generated. Upgrade tanning. 1 or 2 level one beds is more than enough. You have indicated starting with 8 systems. 2 level 1 systems, 2 maximum level or HP and the rest of your equipment should be filled with middle level equipment.

Price structure to get the most out of your equipment mix is important. Obviously this is a broad stroke equipment recommendation, however so much more should go into your business model.
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Old 01-17-2013, 05:43 PM   #10 (permalink)
 
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Re: New Salon Questions

Go tan at all possible competition write report on each ones positives and negatives.

Spend 2-3 weeks literally sitting in their parking lot watching business flow.

If you see lots of folks coming n going from any then do more research in that area.

All the above is great but if business is not there to allow for a startup salon save yourself the money.

Uvalux is near the last place to get advise from much like the larger distributors in US they are completely sales driven customer comes last they need volume to hit numbers.
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