Just a Few Questions - tanTALK

stevem1212 · 05-20-2009, 05:19 PM

I've read through the forum for a while but wanted to go ahead and ask a few commomly asked questions...
Anyone who takes the time to answer all or any of my questions I grealy appreciate it in advance..

1: What is an estimated monthly income a person can generate in a mid sized city with little mobile tanning available. I realize this is going ot differ city to city but i'm just wanting a ball park range..

2: what is the best type of sprayer.. Standard Airbrush .. HPLV or LPLV?

3: In general, is it a negative being a man in this business due to the fact some women might feel uncomfortable with a male tech?

4: I'm sure word of mouth is the best advertising for this type of industry but other than that, what would be the most cost efficient.. billboard, direct mail, news paper, radio, TV.. etc..

5: I'm sure insurance is a must, where do u get your insurance?

6: Certification? my state doesn't require being certified, is this in any way a negative?

7: Horror story??? anyone have a truely horrible story....this can also include worse case senerios that could possibly happen..

8: Which is best..contracting through a salon(s) or totally mobile.. going to the customers home?

9: your favoirte tanning solution and why?

10: The most tans you've applied in a single week? and the average you usually apply in a single week?

11: fair pricing... what do you thinnk is a fair price for a basic tan?

Again, thanks in advance for all of those who choose to answer my questions..

steve

kentuckysun · 05-20-2009, 10:16 PM

1: What is an estimated monthly income a person can generate in a mid sized city with little mobile tanning available. I realize this is going ot differ city to city but i'm just wanting a ball park range..

I have been looking into this too... Im in an area with no mobile service only mystic at that. I also would like to know.

2: what is the best type of sprayer.. Standard Airbrush .. HPLV or LPLV? I think HPLV it uses less and is much faster if you have several appts. nut have to machines just in case one breaks down.... ( this is what I have come up with by doing research.

3: In general, is it a negative being a man in this business due to the fact some women might feel uncomfortable with a male tech?
I think your best bet to have females let you in would be with referrals. If another female told her about you then that female would be ok. I would be.. :) or bring a female as a partner with you. Several women go topless so I dont know how you would get around that.

4: I'm sure word of mouth is the best advertising for this type of industry but other than that, what would be the most cost efficient.. billboard, direct mail, news paper, radio, TV.. etc..
I have done it all free or with minimal expense. WORD OF MOUTH is how I have been contacted 80% of the time. I have a myspace page that I read from this site should work. I have 9 friends... You can search by area age all kinds of ways and you invite them to your site. I have had several inquires but no bookings. You can go to Vistaprint and get free stuff! just pay shipping. I walked my neighborhood with the free flyers and brochures and postcards and got several that in turn sent me more clients.

5: I'm sure insurance is a must, where do u get your insurance? I tried to get ins with my agent, He said I didn't need it as these tanners can buy this at the the store. Im still working on it.

6: Certification? my state doesn't require being certified, is this in any way a negative?
Mine did not either... I did the online NTTI. And to tell the truth my clients dont really care. The down fall is I have no actual professional; training. I had to research on my own. And spray EVERYONE I know for free. Over and Over until I felt good about it. Then good luck getting them to pay when you do start charging hahaha
7: Horror story??? anyone have a truly horrible story....this can also include worse case scenarios that could possibly happen..
spray landing on clients carpet (came out) Thank GOD just a few speeks.... :(

8: Which is best..contracting through a salon(s) or totally mobile.. going to the customers home?
I want to use a salon a few days a week as well. But I am total mobile I use a tent and go to peeps homes.

9: your favorite tanning solution and why?
Tampa Bay. I tried several. cheap to costly. This is a great product. Does not smell and leaves a nice color. Fades good but clienst have to take care of skin after tan.

10: The most tans you've applied in a single week? and the average you usually apply in a single week? I researched for half a year. debating going back and forth. But I am very happy I did. Im not rolling in the dough per say but, I do believe we can make good money in this. HARD WORK!!!!

11: fair pricing... what do you think is a fair price for a basic tan?
Everyone here says anything under 50 and your nuts.... In my area Im lucky to get a 1$ tip so I dont know how they can charge for it but Im jealous cause I want to charge 50.00 maybe when im BIG TIME

I hope this helps some. Probably not but, I can tell you that EVERONE here from what I have read and I have read EVERYTHING under Sunless in this site, They all do help you out. You can find **** near anything. Any question you can get an answer or just look at past posts. Since mobile is a small community of spray techs I guess we just try to take care of each other. In the end it helps all of us out! Good Luck to both of us....

Live Long and Prosper!

Frank Salas · 05-21-2009, 03:22 PM

1: What is an estimated monthly income a person can generate in a mid sized city with little mobile tanning available. I realize this is going ot differ city to city but i'm just wanting a ball park range..

Whatever you put in, you get out. I am having my best months ever now, but I am not mobile.
2: what is the best type of sprayer.. Standard Airbrush .. HPLV or LPLV?

HVLP , don't think there is a HPLV (high pressure low volume just doesn't sound right)

3: In general, is it a negative being a man in this business due to the fact some women might feel uncomfortable with a male tech?

I'm a male tech and I am really good. It is all about presentation, professionalism, etc. That being said I do have two female techs working for me.

4: I'm sure word of mouth is the best advertising for this type of industry but other than that, what would be the most cost efficient.. billboard, direct mail, news paper, radio, TV.. etc..

I would start off small on your advertising , trust me, from experience this stuff just simply doesn't work and you have to do it multiple times.

5: I'm sure insurance is a must, where do u get your insurance?

I believe insuratech has a mobile tanning insurance set up. Search insurance

6: Certification? my state doesn't require being certified, is this in any way a negative?

Pretty soon the government is going to start regulating us. As far as all those NTTI, etc, yeah thats good for knowledge and what not, but my advice (once again, from experience) is to get trained by somebody in the business. I just got hands on training this weekend and it was the best thing I could have ever done to take my business to the next level.

7: Horror story??? anyone have a truely horrible story....this can also include worse case senerios that could possibly happen..

As a male tech, you do NOT , I repeat YOU DO NOT YOU SHOULD NOT YOU WILL NOT spray a minor without parent in the room. PERIOD.

8: Which is best..contracting through a salon(s) or totally mobile.. going to the customers home?

Salon gets you a lot of walk-ins, mobile is totally up to you.

9: your favoirte tanning solution and why?

Private label.

10: The most tans you've applied in a single week? and the average you usually apply in a single week?

It depends on season but I would say we are doing close to 400-500 a month. That number is increasing very rapidly

11: fair pricing... what do you thinnk is a fair price for a basic tan?

Depends on your area. 35-50 is average. I would start low and go high once you have clientele.

.

eileen · 05-22-2009, 12:38 AM

... if you are good at it start high and go higher and do not give discounts

collin · 05-22-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem1212

I've read through the forum for a while but wanted to go ahead and ask a few commomly asked questions...
Anyone who takes the time to answer all or any of my questions I grealy appreciate it in advance..

1: What is an estimated monthly income a person can generate in a mid sized city with little mobile tanning available. I realize this is going ot differ city to city but i'm just wanting a ball park range..

How long is a piece of string..depends on contacts,marketing,luck and dam hard work

2: what is the best type of sprayer.. Standard Airbrush .. HPLV or LPLV?
HVLP (high volume low pressure)machines are very popular and some do use LPHV(low pressure high volume) machines as well as airbrush units
3: In general, is it a negative being a man in this business due to the fact some women might feel uncomfortable with a male tech?
It can be but will very much depend on how you act and present yourself..you will find some customers will initially be wary but if you approach things in the right way you can soon over come any doubts females will have.

4: I'm sure word of mouth is the best advertising for this type of industry but other than that, what would be the most cost efficient.. billboard, direct mail, news paper, radio, TV.. etc..
word of mouth,do offers like introduce a friend and you ge $x off,also try and target doing spray tan parties..good money in a short timescale,go around office blocks and chat up the receptionists(off them a free tan in return..they will also be a good billboard for you) and leave your flyer's on reception

5: I'm sure insurance is a must, where do u get your insurance?

sorry in UK so cant help
6: Certification? my state doesn't require being certified, is this in any way a negative?
not necessarily an issue
7: Horror story??? anyone have a truly horrible story....this can also include worse case senerios that could possibly happen..
every day throws up surprises
8: Which is best..contracting through a salon(s) or totally mobile.. going to the customers home?
this depends on your start up budget..obviously much cheaper to go mobile then if that takes off go to a salon and maybe then even continue to do both

9: your favoirte tanning solution and why?
no comment as advertising

10: The most tans you've applied in a single week? and the average you usually apply in a single week?
around 30,000 tan applications every week

11: fair pricing... what do you thinnk is a fair price for a basic tan?
not familiar with the US market
Again, thanks in advance for all of those who choose to answer my questions..

steve

Take things slow and dont set your projected revenue income stream to high at first..try and be reolistic as things do take time.
Good luck ;0))

sarasotatan · 05-22-2009, 09:51 AM

WOW STEVEM1212..thats more then "just a few question" It look like you didn't do your homework called research..How do you even know you want to do airbrush tanning and why?

stevem1212 · 05-24-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarasotatan

WOW STEVEM1212..thats more then "just a few question" It look like you didn't do your homework called research..How do you even know you want to do airbrush tanning and why?

I mentioned in my initial post that who ever was kind enough to answer didn't have to answer every question. And yes, I have done research and consider this as doing research as well. What better way to find out information than going to people who are actually doing it instead of depending on some website that is selling a product and only telling the good points and not the negative.

Yes, I am an acomplished artist and have tabbled around with general airbrush equipment but never applied a tan or used a tanning solution or used the HVLP type brushes.

I currently live in a mid sized market that is over-run with tanning salons, most offer mystics but as to date, no one offers mobile tanning. As I said, I've been thinking about it for a while but wanted to find out as much info as possible before investing into a business that might not work.

I greatly appreciate all the responses and information from you guys, stuff you can't find out from sites that only manufacture or sell the equipment.

MySharona · 05-24-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem1212

I mentioned in my initial post that who ever was kind enough to answer didn't have to answer every question. And yes, I have done research and consider this as doing research as well. What better way to find out information than going to people who are actually doing it instead of depending on some website that is selling a product and only telling the good points and not the negative.

Yes, I am an acomplished artist and have tabbled around with general airbrush equipment but never applied a tan or used a tanning solution or used the HVLP type brushes.

I currently live in a mid sized market that is over-run with tanning salons, most offer mystics but as to date, no one offers mobile tanning. As I said, I've been thinking about it for a while but wanted to find out as much info as possible before investing into a business that might not work.

I greatly appreciate all the responses and information from you guys, stuff you can't find out from sites that only manufacture or sell the equipment.

I started in January 2009. I use Sunmist. They have been amazing to me, and I asked tons on question that first month. I am totally mobile. I use an airbrush system. I purchased the Sunmist Professional Mobile System for $750.00. I started out using a dual action airbrush , but last month upgraded to the Iwata G6, and it's fabulous and fast!! I now (May 2009) average 30 to 40 tans a week and charge anywhere from $20.00 legs only to $40.00 full body, but I included that added special touch of misting them with Sunmist pH Optimizer just prior to tanning them. Everyone loves that touch and feels pampered by me, before, during and after the spray session.

Whichever route you take, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE, and soon you will be a pro, if you have a passion for something, it will reward you! Also, I had a great DVD that helped me get past the learning curve quickly.

It's a fun job, interactive and rewarding!

Good Luck!

Sharon

MentorAmy05 · 05-25-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MySharona

Also, I had a great DVD that helped me get past the learning curve quickly.

It's a fun job, interactive and rewarding!

Good Luck!

Sharon

What DVD did you have to assist you?

TY ~ Amy

MySharona · 05-27-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MentorAmy05

What DVD did you have to assist you?

TY ~ Amy

It came with my system, but I think it is available seperately. www.sunmisttanning.com - between the DVD and the assistance I received form the reps at Sunmist, I have been quite successful so far!

05-22-2009, 12:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
eileen Join Date: Feb 10 2005 Posts: 8,304 Rep Power: 35	Re: Just a Few Questions ... if you are good at it start high and go higher and do not give discounts __________________ "under exposure to UV rays is as dangerous as overexposure....this is D life" eileen

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