tonjb80

I am looking to start a salon. I have already found a location by a hair salon and a nail shop. I am starting with 3 regs, 2 supers, & 1 turbo. Rent is 1800.00. What do you thnink? Wait or go for it? (Salon next door has had 148 walk-ins from 3/4 - 3/30 on top of reg customers) Also is leasing or buying beds suggested?

river_brat

Do not wait too late to open tonjb80. I had another business last year, and a tanning salon just left and went out of business three doors down. I had to jump on it then or would have lost my opportunity. However the jump was at the wrong time. It was incredibly hard starting out in July, what carried me through is how fast I jumped. I retained the clients that were clients of the previous salon owners. They were quite happy for the remodel and brand new equipment. I also put in the Mystic Tan which there was and still not a unit for at least 10 miles.
As far as leasing or purchasing, I would speak with your financial adviser and see what methods are in your best intrest to get the most out of your investment.

Sqewk

Wait to get in. Do the research find out as much info as u can before you get in over your head. How much do you know about the Industry?

tonjb80

I have been wanting to open a salon for about 2 years and just now starting thinking seriously about it. I have been researching. The space I have found has 2 tanning salons with in 5 miles. I would contonue working where I am now and my husband and a friend would work while I coulnt for the first while. Just to see how it went. I am very worried about failing myself and my family. The friend that I would have working is a cerified tanning consultant. (Whatever that means) I would appreciate some sound advice. I would be open by June. Should I incorporate my business?

Sqewk

Dont plan on making any money for awhile. Takes time to build up clientel.

the cooler

The MOST

the cooler

oops!!
The most important thing for you to do is to save enough money so that if things are slow at first, you will have enough cash to get you through the slow times. If you have to come out of pocket with $80-100K to start, make sure you have another 25-30k in reserve for safety.
If you don't have the extra cash, just wait and make sure that you do it right and not destroy your credit and reputation for being in too much of a hurry. The tanning business will still be hear next year.

river_brat

honestly i have to agree with sqewk! Do as much research as possible! And ask yourself this question, will your fitness business suffer with out you or is it able to run itself. I made sure my gym was running itself to the extent that I was 100% happy. All of my time is dedicated to the salon and I just pop in and out the gym. Also the start up on a salon is a great deal more than the gym, can you afford that as well! Look at all your options, and you also have to keep in mind, take it from me 2 businesses, you will be away from your family a great deal! If you can answer these and feel 100% positive then the best of luck to you!

tonjb80

Thanks for the help.

Steve Underhill

Unfortunately in order to get the space you are looking for you may have to take it when it is available. In the negotiation process you can do a certain amount of stalling as well as negotiating a favorable lease that will buy you some time. There is a great deal more expense each month than rent that must be considered. There is only so much business that can be generated during certain times of the year when you have just opened, however if you do all of the right type of advertising it will carry you. There are very specific programs and procedures that can be followed that will insure your greatest opportunity for success. Also keep in mind that opening 2 or 3 months before the busy season will generate a much more profitable busy season than if you open at the start of the busy season. What you do during the active time of year will determine how well you will do during the typical slower times.