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Old 01-29-2005, 09:10 AM   #1 (permalink)
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Hi,
I am researching the possibility of opening a tanning salon withing 9-12 months. I was wondering if I should go with a consulting service such as SMU Consulting (also a distributor) who posts here often & claims that the salons that he helped start are among the top of successful salons or on my own with a good business plan & tons of research about managing & marketing. I have just started my first semester of business courses at college.

Thanks everyone
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Old 01-29-2005, 09:16 AM   #2 (permalink)
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It depends on how comfortable you are with starting your own business. I have read Steve's posts and he gives great advice. It really is something you need to think about. I am never afraid to bring in a consultant when I know I need help in an area.
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Old 01-30-2005, 11:33 AM   #3 (permalink)
 
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no body Knows your town better than you. a consultant can help but not worth the money if if do the research on these boards and your competition no need to wast the money. I learn from the people I have met from the boards and my salons do very well.
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Old 02-01-2005, 11:58 AM   #4 (permalink)
 
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I can tell you that the SMU salons that we do work for are more successful more quickly than most salons who did it without help! We do work for over 7,000 salons in the US, and SMU's are in the top percentile. It helps to have either previous retail/service business experience, sales experience, marketing experience - and the rest: the equipment and lotions can be learned very fast and easily. If you don't have experience, consider using an expert who does.
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Old 02-04-2005, 02:38 PM   #5 (permalink)
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I can tell you that I used to work for Steve Underhill and he knows what he is talking about. I am not sure what equipment he is selling but I know that he knows the tanning industry and how to be successful!
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Old 02-07-2005, 08:54 PM   #6 (permalink)
 
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Quote:
On 2005-02-04 14:38:00, meowmeow wrote:
I can tell you that I used to work for Steve Underhill and he knows what he is talking about. I am not sure what equipment he is selling but I know that he knows the tanning industry and how to be successful!

I agree with meow
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Old 02-07-2005, 08:58 PM   #7 (permalink)
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I think if you are asking the question....you might need some outside help for a little bit. I know I am only good at three things (very good) so I have learned if I am running into a challenge outside of my three things...I ask for help...its not weakness it's a smart business person who will seak help when they need it!
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Old 06-18-2014, 08:21 AM   #8 (permalink)
 
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Re: Anyone use SMU Consulting to start up?

We have been in the business for about 8 years now. Certaintly not 30+, but I don't think it take shtis long to be good at what you do. Here is the way I look at it. Has a person giving consulting "done what they are telling you to do". Is this recent or 25 years ago? Someone who did whatever 320 years ago, is not in the same game as someone current. The tanning business was totally different back then. Another thing I look at, is this person selling equipment too? In my eyes, I look at this as a bad thing. Their goal is to sell you equipment, not to consult you. Every single dist out there has their own "stuff" on their page about their consulting, but NONE of them have any real consulting at all. They sell beds!!!!!

I am working on building a true consulting business. No bed sales or anything else, just pure consulting. We started in 2006 and now have 10 Salons, all profitable, and all have increased sales and profit over 30% each year since they were open. A person who has done and is doing is the one you want to talk to, not someone who owned a salon 25 years ago. Things today are so different, especially marketing. We have spoken with an attorney about franchising our business, but probably will not just because it is so expensive and the legal things involved we don't want to deal with.
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Old 06-18-2014, 10:37 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Re: Anyone use SMU Consulting to start up?

Grip.............................what a flash back
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Old 06-18-2014, 01:06 PM   #10 (permalink)
 
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Re: Anyone use SMU Consulting to start up?

I opened my salon back in Feb 2013 and used SMU Consulting. He helped me with everything. He negotiated my lease, did the building out floor plan, made sure I had the a/c correct, did my price list, and helped me pick the correct selection of beds, etc. etc. His price is probably negotiable. I got my beds from Heartland. I am glad I hired SMU because they thought of things I would never have thought to consider.
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