New Business seeking advice

[sunsally]

What do you have now for equipment?

What is your competition like - what type of equipment, services, how close, how well established, ...?

How much spray tan is available around you now? Booths or handheld? Do they do a good job/have a good reputation?

Do you know a good massage therapist you feel comfortable with and can trust or is it just an "idea" right now?

Do you have the money to invest in another piece of equipment right now?

What gets you "excited" -- what do you feel you could "sell"?

Hard to give you really "good" advice without knowing more about your situation....

[daydream]

My situation may be a little different than most. I am in a new type community in this area. It is an all-in-one community. It offers a gym, community pool, elementry & middle schools, cafe, hair salon, post office, wine store (you get the idea). The neighborhood consists of townhomes, villas, single family & custom build homes. I don't really have any direct competition. Right now I have 3 beds- 2 conventional & 1 medium intensity.
Also, the builders of this neighborhood have several others. They all have gyms & pools. I have heard from the gym managers that people have inquired about massage services. And, yes it is still just an idea right now. I just want to do what is more profitable & provides a wanted to service for the community. I wanted to hear stories or ideas from others to may have had to make this decision (or a similar one).

[billable]

Originally Posted by sunsally

...
What gets you "excited" ...

massages get me "excited", but what does that have to do with business?

[sunsally]

In most "normal" situations, I would say "stick to tanning, it's what will make you the most money".

However - your situation is definitely unique. Sounds like you have a very limited "draw" as it seems unlikely that other people from outside the neighborhood will use your services (maybe they aren't even allowed?).

Because of this - even tanning could be tough! Afterall - traditionally, about 10% of the population tans. How big is your "small enclosed neighborhood"?

That said -- I'd think branching into "other services" is likely to bring you more $$ than spray tanning. However -- you could consider doing BOTH! That is -- certain days are dedicated to massage (take appointments) and other days to spray (also take appointments). This would work only if you were willing to go with a handheld airbrush/HVLP system for sunless rather than a "booth". Again -- normally NOT the way I recommend. But might make a lot of sense for your situation if you were advertising it more as a "personal service" and might do (as many with these systems do) different packages for whole body vs. those that just want face or face & legs, etc.

Biggest issue with bringing in others is having them "fit" with the way you want to run the business! Do you agree on how/where to advertise? Do they pitch in for that? Are they paying you a percentage of their services or just a flat "rent" rate? Do they HAVE to maintain certain reliable/predictable hours/days or come and go when they want? Etc etc.

It could work, and the nice thing is, it is a pretty minimal investment of $$. I'd probably try massage only or massage with airbrush alternating, promote the heck out of it, and see where it goes!

[daydream]

Anyone is allowed to use any of the services offered. It's not a "closed gate" community- the amenities just happen to be offered in the neighborhood. I have advertised my salon to the city & surrounding towns. What I am depending on is the athletic clubs which is a HUGE part of the communities. Where there are gym buffs, there are tanners & hopefully those who want/need massages:) that's my mentality at this point. I have had great feed back from the community so I guess time will tell. Thanks for the feedback, sunsally!

[Bravotan]

I have UV and UV FREE services (Booth and Handheld) Also have had massage therapy. Here is the deal if you are the therapist..go for it...its $$ in our pocket..Check with your local affiliates on license requirements: Board of cosmetology..but if you are not the therapist..well...just remember you have to hire someone, maintain their existence..or rent them space etc..set up is pretty cheap..its the help which become a issue and license. Also take in consideration the type of clientel. The patrons always tell you bring it on and I'll be there..but that is not always the case..do your homework..add on service is great but doyour homework on "all" aspects..Probably investing in an upgrade bed is less of a headache..honestly...unless of course like I said you are the therapist...
Sunless we use Mystic booths and HVLP CAlifornia handheld custom bronzer 4000( there again Handheld you have to hire tech.. unless you are the artist/specialist..)

[RIVRRUNR]

warning to new shop owners re purtan beds:

WE WERE GOING TO START A NEW SALON IN 8/06- AND LIKE A DUMMY- PAID FOR THE BEDS IN FULL. wE WERE never ABLE TO OPEN- BECAUSE PURTAN NEVER DELIVERED!! Not only have they not delivered- but they refuse to return calls, and refuse to refund the $5,000.00 they were paid. After investing almost $30,000 into the location- we have NEVER BEEN OPEN!! Now- before you think this is from a disgruntled customer with no basis in fact- let me assure you all of this nightmare is well documented. Furthermore- check with the Texas Atty General- you will find 6 complaints, 3 still unresolved because PurTan doesn't give a rip about its customers, will say anything to get an order- and then stonewalls anyone trying to communicate with them. The only way this terrible ordeal is going to be resolved is for us to fly to Texas to file in small claims-. DO NOT BUY from PurTan

[Neon Beach]

What's Purtan?

[JIMJEN]

Is that a typo or did paying Purtan $5,000 REALLY keep you from opening?

Um, if so how many beds do you get for that?

[JIMJEN]

[quote=RIVRRUNR;14823858]warning to new shop owners re purtan beds:

PAID FOR THE BEDS IN FULL.

wE WERE never ABLE TO OPEN- BECAUSE PURTAN NEVER DELIVERED!! Not only have they not delivered- but they refuse to return calls, and refuse to refund the $5,000.00 they were paid.


That's cheaper than Neon's leg tanner