Tanning Salon business with a future?

[Henry]

Hi all, I'm really a newbie at all this. I'm at a point in my life where I'm considering buying a business, a tanning salon. It seems to be a good business to have and since I enjoy tanning myself, I at least have some affinity with it.

However, I've never run a business before. My assets are that I got some pretty good common sence and can invest about 60,000$.

Question is, is it a good business to own, one with a future? Is it owner-operator or can it be profitable managed? Are self-tans/spray tans a threat (i take it they arent judging from an earlier posting).

Just trying to get a feel for the business at this point. Thanks.

BTW, what a great site for info!

[Sherin]

Henry, check out Looking Fit Magazine. We found a lot of excellant info there!
If you want a feel for the business, stay tuned, as this web site is one of the most informative there is about every aspect of tanning.
http://www.lookingfit.com/

[Sheila in Minnesota]

Henry - - this is just my opinion - oh tay??? But enjoying the Tanning Experience as a client has practically zero to do with enjoying owning a salon.... as a client of tanning you are treated with friendliness and respect --- but you never have to fight with a landlord, deal with theft (both client and employee) and you never Steal from Peter to Pay Paul during the SLOW SEASON.

Tanning Salons can be very lucrative.... when the Location is EXCELLENT, and the Local Competition are not Asswipes, and if you have it set up to MAKE MONEY all year round (read that EFT memberships)....

Your location (the STATE you live in as well as the city or town you are looking to open) is a SNOWFLAKE.... no two people will have exactly the same pros and cons....

Bed Salesmen (and not all are trying to lead you down a garden path) are in the business to SELL YOU EQUIPMENT.... so while they can offer you a PLAN that looks unbelieveable on the potential income.... it usually is (not believeable).... THEY sell beds... and they will help you DOCUMENT #'s that might help you get financing... but in reality - - - you cannot sell your client a $25 dollar walkin on a bed when your local comp is SELLING THAT SAME SESSION IN THAT SAME BED FOR $9.00 a ride!

Sunless Tanning ---- I don't give a rat's *** what people say .... it HAS hurt UV Tanning simply by allowing our detractors another wedge into claiming that UV IS DANGEROUS and salon owners are selling cancer.... some salons have incorporated sunless to make money from people they would never get into a tanning bed (and this is a good thought process).... but Money should never tip the scales when client and employee safety is ever in question..... as with anything - there is the right way and the wrong way to do things.... there are salons that are buying sh*t chemicals to cut their expenses.... who are not providing or even discussing the safety precautions that the client should be considering when using the service.... who barely clean a bed correctly never mind dump a mold zoo under their unit....

One thing I can tell you - - - the TRADE MAGAZINES will tell you all is well in ****....

Vendors PAY the big bucks to show you pretty pictures and crow how they are the best...

Don't believe everything you read ~ not even this post.... it's just my opinion and offered as food for thought...

If I had 60 K .... I'd move to Costa Rica and never look back.

	First Merchant Funding

	Bodi Tox

[Neon Beach]

Gotta love it!

[Henry]

Henry - - this is just my opinion - oh tay??? But enjoying the Tanning Experience as a client has practically zero to do with enjoying owning a salon...

Completely agree, that's why I'm posting here. Thanks for the feedback.


If I had 60 K .... I'd move to Costa Rica and never look back.
[/quote]

lol, believe it or not, I've thought of this many times. Even bought the Golden Door to Retirement book in Costa Rica. However, unless you wana live in a slum, 60k wont get you far in Costa Rica. You still have to hava money coming in.

[JOLEE]

Sheila...you always hit the nail on the head! aren't we all crazy? and we love it!

[tanu01]

Mental is more like it, really mental in the east.
Bob

[Too Sunz]

I just explained this to a customer: Now that I own a salon, I dont even have time to tan myself. Everyone always tells me. So you get to tan all the time for free. actually, if I am lucky once a week

[Extreme John]

Quote:
On 2004-10-09 15:42:00, Too Sunz wrote:
I just explained this to a customer: Now that I own a salon, I dont even have time to tan myself. Everyone always tells me. So you get to tan all the time for free. actually, if I am lucky once a week


So true, I never tan anymore, and even when I have a chance it's now like an extension of work, because instead of doing it because you LIKE to do it, you now HAVE to do it because it represents your business whenever your in public.

[JOLEE]

I know! I really want to tan...but who the **** has the time when you are running the place? when my girls come in at night to relieve me....all but 2x a week...I try then...but sometimes..you just need to get out the door also!