marcusm

I’m new to the business as well as to TanTalk.com. I’ve been lurking in the background for some time now and thought I’d let everyone know what I’m about to venture on.

I’m starting a mobile only spray tan business in the Kansas City area. Please tell me what you think and if you have any suggestions! Thanks!
We are completely mobile so there is no store front. There is only ONE other mobile tanning business in the area so the market isn’t saturated yet.
I’ve created my own website.
Created two different flyers that we just got shipped back yesterday! 1,000 of each, full color.
1,500 business cards specific to me. 1,000 printed with my generic logo.
Purchased two T100 MiniMists.
Using Tan ExtraordinAire 8% (TampaBayTan)
Tan ExtraordinAire 5%
Tan ExtraordinAire 10%
Have a Popup Tent.
Registered my LLC.
I purchased Insurance.
Added to local business directories in my area as well as Google business.
Partnered with a couple local bars to hang flyers.
I have a lot of misc. supplies that aren’t really worth mentioning.
I am using a consent form for all clients as well as an additional area for <18.

I know I’m just throwing everything out as I think of it however from the looks of the forum there are a lot of experienced business owners here. I’d love any suggestions, concerns or tips!

Thanks!

sonomatanning

I run a mobile only business in California...what you are doing looks great. I suggest looking into wedding fairs, and networking with salons and wedding planners....

marcusm

Thanks!

I grew up about 2.5 hours from where I live now. My mom is recently retired wedding coordinater, however her contacts do nothing for me seeing as I'm 2.5 hours away :(

I have talked with many bridal shops and most have been great. I even got one to reccomend us and allow flyers to be hung if we put their add on our website. Everything is looking great so far!

houseoftan

just curious...how do u light up your pop-up tent while u spray? and did u purchase an extractor fan?

marcusm

I don't have a fan at this time. I haven't sprayed more than two people in a short amount of time *yet*

It can be hard to see sometimes but so far we haven't needed to use the light. I purchased a low wattage light at Home Depot. I'll try and find it on their website and pm it to you. It sits on the ground. It's not the bright halogen type so it's not like overkill. I dont' like to use it but I'm sure we'll need to eventually. So far we've been lucky on where we get to spray.

houseoftan

thank you marcusm:)

.. i have yet to sprayed a lot of clients, mobile.. mostly fam & friends..i am always having a hard time w/ the lighting + the tent is black though... i def. check out home depot!

eileen

have you purchased nose filters? especially if you are enclosing them in a very small area with no filter system.... that would cause me to have an asthma attack. :)

__________________
"under exposure to UV rays is as dangerous as overexposure....this is D life" eileen

sonomatanning

Actually - I do entire wedding parties...two hours away isn't anything when you are spraying 15-20 people - bride, groom, guests, wedding party participants, mothers of the bride and groom - Don't count out those valuable clients!!!! It is easy money and the bulk of my business!

marcusm

When do you spray the majority of the wedding party? 24hrs before.. 36hrs before? Just wondering what you prefer?

sonomatanning

I usually book my wedding parties on Friday and then Thursday if I run out of time on Fridays. I am often out tanning until midnight in the summertime (which is the height of our wedding season). I've never had my solution rub off on the dresses and have had several brides send me cards afterwards attesting to that. Our area is now ranked #4 in the nation for destination weddings...so I stay pretty busy doing that stuff.