Young, New, Motivated Salon Owner - NEED SOME ADVICE!! - tanTALK

MartaJay · 07-30-2012, 04:43 PM

Hello, I have owned my salon for about 6 months now and being 22 years old.. I have very little experiences in business other than the schooling! I decided on buying a tanning salon after I did all my home work. I had some experience working in a salon at the age of 18, and I loved it since then I put together business plans, savings plans, and have done so much research. Then BAM out of no where this opportunity arose. The salon was going down hill before I came in and so far things are looking pretty good. Not an extreme profit margin, but so far no loss!
I just need some tips!

I am looking to buy a "newer" used stand up unit, and would love to check out some Trade Shows and Expo's but do not know where to start!!

Any help, tips, or advice would be greatly appreciated!!

:love:

Robert K · 07-30-2012, 05:01 PM

The best and only real tradeshow is the one by Smart Tan in Nashville this fall.

MartaJay · 07-30-2012, 05:10 PM

Thank you :) That is the one that caught most of my attention, good to know it has some back up

Black Sun · 07-30-2012, 07:02 PM

If you plan on maintaining a 'no loss' margin, perhaps you should consider 'pre-owned' rather than 'newer'...and yes, trade show would be a good place to kick the tires and check out the major players for equipment...Have you considered HP?....there are some reputable people here to talk to when it comes time to buy; Robert K, Brian, John/URI..

And Congratulations....you seem to be doing it.

kookyguy · 07-30-2012, 11:05 PM

Nashville is the only big show still around. If you have not been to the show you should try and get out to the next one in Oct. http://smarttan.com/conference/

Steve Underhill · 07-31-2012, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartaJay

Hello, I have owned my salon for about 6 months now and being 22 years old.. I have very little experiences in business other than the schooling! I decided on buying a tanning salon after I did all my home work. I had some experience working in a salon at the age of 18, and I loved it since then I put together business plans, savings plans, and have done so much research. Then BAM out of no where this opportunity arose. The salon was going down hill before I came in and so far things are looking pretty good. Not an extreme profit margin, but so far no loss!
I just need some tips!

I am looking to buy a "newer" used stand up unit, and would love to check out some Trade Shows and Expo's but do not know where to start!!

Any help, tips, or advice would be greatly appreciated!!

:love:

If you are looking for used equipment a trade show is the last place to find one. Try a company like www.tanningbedcompany.com and financing is readily available.

kookyguy · 08-01-2012, 10:30 AM

Steve she also said she wants to check out some trade shows, which anyone thinking of getting into tanning should do.

Steve since you are on the forum, head over to the post you started about the Pura and tell us why a salon owner is paying over $6 for $2 worth of solution.

Steve Underhill · 08-01-2012, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kookyguy

Steve she also said she wants to check out some trade shows, which anyone thinking of getting into tanning should do.

Steve since you are on the forum, head over to the post you started about the Pura and tell us why a salon owner is paying over $6 for $2 worth of solution.

I think there is a lot to learn at trade shows. I just don't want someone to think a trade show is a good place to shop for used equipment. i will check out the post regarding solution cost and try and get answers.

tcastagna06 · 08-02-2012, 04:24 PM

No tradeshows, no financing dont do it. Myself being new(over 1 year) I can tell you we have been able to make it because we own everything and have bought everything used. Just shop around. Even check ebay for reputable sellers and find your own shipping company. We bought a very good bed for as low as $600 on ebay with $600 freight from east coast to west coast.

Or look on your local craigslist or other online classifieds for used beds or closing tanning salons. Much cheaper. You can find good beds for under 3k all day. We bought a sundome xl48 stand up in perfect condition with low hours actually got two of them and two low beds and tmax manager for like 2k.

The sundome with good bulbs and buckbooster tans very well. At least we are happy.

sunsally · 08-06-2012, 07:10 AM

General advice:

1. Read, read, read, READ things on this forum!

2. Get the trade mags (Smart Tan, Island Sun Times) and read those (mostly "puff" pieces, but some good ones)

3. Before you buy anything.....make sure everything else you are doing is in line. WHY do you want to buy a "newer used standup"? Do you not have one in the salon now? What "level" (and price to charge) are you trying to fill? What other equipment do you have now? Knowing the answer to these sorts of questions will help direct you to the BEST option - for YOUR salon.

07-30-2012, 04:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
MartaJay Join Date: Jul 30 2012 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta Canada Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Young, New, Motivated Salon Owner - NEED SOME ADVICE!! Hello, I have owned my salon for about 6 months now and being 22 years old.. I have very little experiences in business other than the schooling! I decided on buying a tanning salon after I did all my home work. I had some experience working in a salon at the age of 18, and I loved it since then I put together business plans, savings plans, and have done so much research. Then BAM out of no where this opportunity arose. The salon was going down hill before I came in and so far things are looking pretty good. Not an extreme profit margin, but so far no loss! I just need some tips! I am looking to buy a "newer" used stand up unit, and would love to check out some Trade Shows and Expo's but do not know where to start!! Any help, tips, or advice would be greatly appreciated!! :love:

07-30-2012, 05:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Robert K Team TanTalk Join Date: Aug 27 2002 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,153 Rep Power: 11	Re: Young, New, Motivated Salon Owner - NEED SOME ADVICE!! The best and only real tradeshow is the one by Smart Tan in Nashville this fall. __________________ Robert Klem Superior UV Technologies (888) 526-7712 x77 robertk@superioruv.com

07-30-2012, 05:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
MartaJay Join Date: Jul 30 2012 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta Canada Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Re: Young, New, Motivated Salon Owner - NEED SOME ADVICE!! Thank you :) That is the one that caught most of my attention, good to know it has some back up

07-30-2012, 07:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Black Sun Join Date: Nov 19 2010 Location: GA Posts: 585 Rep Power: 3	Re: Young, New, Motivated Salon Owner - NEED SOME ADVICE!! If you plan on maintaining a 'no loss' margin, perhaps you should consider 'pre-owned' rather than 'newer'...and yes, trade show would be a good place to kick the tires and check out the major players for equipment...Have you considered HP?....there are some reputable people here to talk to when it comes time to buy; Robert K, Brian, John/URI.. And Congratulations....you seem to be doing it.

07-30-2012, 11:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
kookyguy Join Date: Aug 22 2005 Posts: 545 Rep Power: 8	Re: Young, New, Motivated Salon Owner - NEED SOME ADVICE!! Nashville is the only big show still around. If you have not been to the show you should try and get out to the next one in Oct. http://smarttan.com/conference/

08-02-2012, 04:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
tcastagna06 Join Date: Feb 14 2011 Location: concord ca Posts: 50 Rep Power: 0	Re: Young, New, Motivated Salon Owner - NEED SOME ADVICE!! No tradeshows, no financing dont do it. Myself being new(over 1 year) I can tell you we have been able to make it because we own everything and have bought everything used. Just shop around. Even check ebay for reputable sellers and find your own shipping company. We bought a very good bed for as low as $600 on ebay with $600 freight from east coast to west coast. Or look on your local craigslist or other online classifieds for used beds or closing tanning salons. Much cheaper. You can find good beds for under 3k all day. We bought a sundome xl48 stand up in perfect condition with low hours actually got two of them and two low beds and tmax manager for like 2k. The sundome with good bulbs and buckbooster tans very well. At least we are happy.

08-06-2012, 07:10 AM	#10 (permalink)
sunsally Team TanTalk Join Date: Nov 23 2004 Location: ITA Member & Berman Supporter! Posts: 2,655 Rep Power: 13	Re: Young, New, Motivated Salon Owner - NEED SOME ADVICE!! General advice: 1. Read, read, read, READ things on this forum! 2. Get the trade mags (Smart Tan, Island Sun Times) and read those (mostly "puff" pieces, but some good ones) 3. Before you buy anything.....make sure everything else you are doing is in line. WHY do you want to buy a "newer used standup"? Do you not have one in the salon now? What "level" (and price to charge) are you trying to fill? What other equipment do you have now? Knowing the answer to these sorts of questions will help direct you to the BEST option - for YOUR salon.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Advice on deal with previous salon bed owner?	norah02	Tanning Salon Management	1	10-25-2010 05:44 PM
new owner needs advice - salon insurance and software	sbeachtanz	New To The Tanning Business	17	01-10-2008 01:39 PM
Hey everybody I'm new salon owner and new to TanTalk...any advice?	coleygirl	Say What ?????	11	03-07-2006 09:22 AM
Advice for future salon owner	funtan101	Tanning Equipment	9	04-30-2004 01:45 AM
New salon owner wants advice is ETS ok for base beds	bucsfan	General Tanning Industry Discussions	6	03-31-2003 07:04 PM