Tan Talker

Chris and I used to own a Fred Astaire Dance Studio Franchise. I will never own a franchise again. After a decade of paying fees, attending mandatory franchisee meetings at our own expense, paying for our own local advertising, plus 7% of our gross not net gross sales which had to be reported by phone and in writing every Friday, spending more time in litigation with other franchisees over staff stealing or territory issues or in litigation witht the Master Franchisor over piddly issues (not to mention the fact I was tired of pushing women around) we sold out and went Independent. More money, less hassel, greater freedom and opportunites.

Franchises come and go and if they go you are left holding the bag and end up an Independent anyway if you don't have some legal obligation to honor outstanding franchise liability.

NO FRANCHISE FOR ME

Jim

fungirlz

If you do not have any idea on how to go about a business..a franchise may not be a bad idea..
Jim wrote protocal for Fred Astaire and was already very good in the ballroom dance business before we bought the franchise.

We watched others do well in the business because they needed the direction.

We went independant..Sold our studio and made a nice profit years ago.

Jim dealt with the home office..legal matters.. other owners when fights broke out.. I took care of the staff.

Interview others who own a franchise with the company your considering.
Could you hire a consultant to get you up and running? this way you'd pay up front to get set up but you wouldn't pay the % every single month..and be under their thumb..

Chris[ This Message was edited by: fungirlz on 2002-04-06 05:59 ]

sshannon

I have looked at a franchise and even went to some of therre locations. I was not impressed with idea. The only thing I saw was paying a lot of money up front, the fees each year and nothing else. I think I would try it on your own. I did and things seem to be working out good for me.

tanningsalonspecialist

Forget the franchise and royalty fee! I have a better way for you to go.

First of all this is a concept store with a membership, not a franchise. You have the right to purchase any tanning bed manufactor sytle of bed and how many; own theme; and choice of lotions. We do carry our own lotion name but it is always optional.

Secondly, you have your own name and management. The only thing that we ask is for a tag line at the end, "a Vacation Store".

Thirdly, you do not pay a royalty fee on what you earn, instead it is a straight monthly fee or yearly fee. This fee is no more than $575 per year, per location. You can either pay per month or yearly. There is a one time setup fee of $500.00.

Fourthly, you will attend training classes. Similar to franchise classes in that they show you what you can do with your salon management but we do not pound it into your brain our style is the only one that is right and the only one you can do. These classes are taken by topic only very much like a college where you pick and choose. One of the options is to work in a salon for two to three days so you get a first hand look.

Finally with the membership comes advertisement, accounting, computer, marketing, setup and opening support services. Remeber bulk prices and services are with numbers. For an example, we pass these discounts on ad & marketing materials to members.

Now for the concept, A Vacation Store. Ok someone walks in the doors purchases a vacation package from a travel agent, then has to tan (don't want any sunburn), dont forget the lotion for the tanning bed, now it is getting time to go don't forget your SPF lotion, disposable camera, resortwear, swimsuit and footwear. Ok so how much have you sold here? A total picture. Some people can even add beauty, massage, nail and spa services too.

The basis of the concept is a one-stop shop. Now the employees for the services travel agency, massage, etc.. can be rent a space.

For an example, we have found many travel agents due to the high cost of doing their business without or lower commissions are driving them to the home or out of business. What we do is to support them via a central location while they work with you. Now they can either rent a desk, commission based or be an employee with your salon. This is the only place we require our input. We require that a vacation travel specialist with experience fills these shoes. Someone who has been there and done that. Don't salon clients trust you to have first hand knowledge of tanning? Travel is not an item to take lightly so it must be a well rounded agent.

Next we will supply the items for option to purchase like resortwear. We have tropical sundresses for $8.50per and swimsuits as low as $10.95 for a whole suit.

What we did was to take the training classes with first hand knowledge and combine it together with small business network to create a concept. This is a great way for small to med. bizs to become part of a family and still keep their individual voice.

If you would like more details just ask me.

--Lindsay

MJ

Wait....
we tried to explain how we feel but you apparently did not read the posts.
First:
You want me to pay a monthly fee but it isn't a franchise/royalty fee???? Umm Ok!!

Secondly, you want us to hock everything but beeper/vidoes?
pay to attend your classes...
and.....this a BIG AND you want us to email you find out how to be a smart business owner.
Lindsay, Lindsay, Lindsay,
Now that is some Funny *****!!!!
I can rap up a piece of Dog ***** in a golden box with diamonds and emeralds on it.. Tied oh so delicately in glistening strings of silver..
IT WOULD STILL be a piece of dog *****
in a golden box with diamonds and emeralds on it.. Tied ohh so delicately in glistening strings of silver..


Whats your address I will just send you a check monthly for breathing..
LMAO
MJ


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"And now back to tanning"--ChippMeet "Little Chunn Chunn!!"[ This Message was edited by: MJ on 2002-04-13 23:35 ]