DallasTanMan

I am opening my first salon, don't have a clue as to what to do but if figure you have to get knee deep in it before anything starts making sense. I have a good location, probably enough for about 18 rooms with beds, iwas a bit iffy on putting in medium level beds, basically to have a niche over my competitiors, probably with two lower level beds and two high level beds along with a spray on tanning unit.

now here is hte problem i am having, since i don't know much about the business, i am having to learn the business as i go. i want to be successful, and i think the tanning business is probably a good place to make money.

I don't want to get a loan for hte full amount to purchase the beds, i want to do a profit sharing with some bed manufactureres or wholesalers, if you know of any please feel free to contact me

as for the finish out i think the landlord is going to kick in about 40K worth of allowance, how much more will i need for about 18 rooms, the potential site that i have in mind is about 2500 square feet, i fell that is enough to cover all basis.

i understand that there are alot of other expenses i think i can budget around 20K for pre marketing expenses, to get the anem out.

however does this business model work? 2500 square foot spot with about a 6,000 rent, with 18 beds with majority of them being medium level beds. i would be charging the same price as the other salons in the area, but once again my medium level bed would be priced against their low level bed.

what are some of the things that i should consider to make it a success over the other tanning salons in the area, what aspects should i look at to make my salon better?

any and all help is considered valuable. if you know of any bed profit splits, then please let me know, also there is a breakdown wall system that would be considered as well, however id on't know any of hte manufacterers for that.

how much working capital will i need to stay afloat?, i plan to open by feb or march

how much should i use on marketing

will the medium beds bring in revenue over hte low end beds?

i was also thinking of adding a hydromassage

what is the start up costs which i should consider for 18 beds, indlucing working capital, etc


does anyone have a business plan template, which i can insert my information, therefore i can take something concrete to my bank

any other information that you deem is helpful!

please email me at crea8iveminds@yahoo.com

parrot head

I don't want to burst your bubble, but you are at least 12 months and 3 hundred thousand dollars away from opening a 18 bed medium level salon. With the kind of expenses you will have, you will need over $200,000 just to buy the equipment. You have got a lot of homework to do and I would suggest you scale down your expectations and start a lot smaller.

sizzlestan

Dallas

Good luck man. With what you just wrote expect the people in here to hammer you good.

Sheila in Minnesota

No they won't Sizzle ~ ~ they will still be 'reading it' (mouths moving just a little) for the next 2 days... it's tantoday that would Hammer Dallas (but only after trying to sell him some beds, some sunless and some 3rd world country tanning lamps) ....

My only advice to Dallas is to MAKE SURE there is adequate Electricity.... or the 2500 sqft will be useless..... with that many rooms - I would think 800 amps should take care of any future needs....

Profit sharing???? Not a chance.

and better to BUY 8-10 beds out right to start the first season and add on as the ching comes in.....

But I am just kinda mumbling to myself with my fingers

Rollo

First off good luck! Just by going off what I am experiencing trying to open up my own salon. You will need a lot of collateral at least 80% of the loan. The allowance from your landlord seems plenty for build out, but 18 rooms in 2500 sq ft? When I walk in a room to tan I don’t like to feel I am in a cracker jack box. I would sacrifice a room or two, to make sure you have adequate space per room. Shelia’s right start off with around 10. You can always add more. I would open before February unless you plan on hiring experienced help. Rent sounds really high but I imagine it depends on the area. Keep in mind though, your salon will have to do at least $195 a day just to cover rent. That doesn’t include $250-300 a month on ins, electricity bill $800-1200, advertising, your bank loan, etc. Opening a tanning salon looks a whole lot different once you put it on paper. Give grip marketing a call at 866-627-0400. Get a demographic of the area done to help give you an idea of what you can expect. Oh, what equipment manufacture are you looking at? Anyways that’s just my long winded opinion. Good luck!

sizzlestan

Sheila

You are right - wrong forum for busting chops. I just know I got hammered for a similar question which I thought was more than appropriate.

Anyway, Dallas. Listen to these people. Start with 8 beds that are not leased. Save LOTS of money for advertising and expect a customer to cost you $15-25 to acquire.

Alan

engfant

"When I walk in a room to tan I don’t like to feel I am in a cracker jack box"


I'm actually eating cracker jack (first time in years) as I read this. Yes, a crackerjack box is tight.

Neon Beach

Especially for spray-on applications..............

tanu01

Cracker Jacks are in bags now!!
Flick

Steve Underhill

Pull your demographics and evaluate them.

Draw a floor plan and establish your build-out specifications.

Negotiate your lease.

Establish a clear plan for your marketing so you may establish your equipment mix.

Develop your employee manual.

Now you can create your business plan including the material listed above as an attachment. The marketing program you have decided to use combined with your demographic report will allow you to make your three to five year income projections.

Unless you have a very special relationship with your bank it will be impossible to get a bank loan unless you are going for a SBA loan. With a SBA loan you will need 20% to 30% down.