sxythng24

I would like any advice anyone could give me about opening a tanning salon. I know nothing about starting a business and would like some knowledge. Like: Lease or buy? Getting beds and lotions of ebay? Things to include in store to help get customers to come? how much would i even make? i see in here only 30k but i've read 100k. want to know if this is even worth getting into, everyone on here seems so negative about owning a tanning salon. i live in sioux falls, sd, there are about 150,000 people here, a lot of younger population, have two franchises here, one has 4 stores and other has 2. there are no independently owned tanning salons so i think i could overcome the competion by not having such high prices as the other two competetors. just would really like any advice, also what's the first step i should take to get this going, talk to bank? thanks

COCONUT

open a car wash...

West Side Tanner

OMG........have you even looked this site over?

sunkissedtan

Read my thread - I'm going under! that will answer most of your questions! it's a tough biz, lots of ups and downs. Right before you think you can't get up anymore, things start to pick up and you get going again.

engfant

We are all millionares. Don't be fooled. Just keep lowering your prices and you'll be fine. :eyeroll:

engfant

On 2004-10-01 15:38:00, engfant wrote:
We are all millionares. Don't be fooled. Just keep lowering your prices and you'll be fine.

engfant

We are all millionares. Don't be fooled. Just keep lowering your prices and you'll be fine.

sxythng24

k i guess nobody wants to answer any of my questions...thanks i guess

SwedaGuy

Well, I can answer a couple of questions...

even though I'm fairly new at this myself...

We bought a salon late in August, so September was our first full month...the financials are in and we had a net loss of 518.00 or so. Of course, this is the off season. There are a lot of variables to consider when planning for expenses, so that's well outside the scope of one specific thread...

I guess the biggest thing to know (that I've learned anyway) is that you are going to need capital, and quite a bit of it. There is an existing thread on the topic of leasing or buying, that you might find interesting. Some of the threads related to marketing ideas are also well worth the read. There aren't any quick answers for the big questions, but the little questions aren't so hard to handle...

So, for starters, tell us a bit about yourself...Do you have a spouse or kids vying for your time? Do you have an existing job you intend to keep? If so, part time or full? Realistically, how many hours each week can you devote to your business?

On the subject of eBay (and I'm a huge fan), lets go in two different directions:

First of all, concerning lotions, you should NEVER buy lotions from anyone but the manufacturer or their authorized distributor. (buying from another salon owner excepted) The reason is simple...software isn't the only thing that's pirated on the internet. If you order salon lotions from an anonymous on-line presence, you are as likely to receive Lubriderm in a copy cat bottle as you are the real thing. Furthermore, (and I carry this experience from my "other" business, which I've run since '96) building a solid relationship with a good vendor is essential in any business.

Equipment is a slightly different story. If you are extremely familiar with the equipment you are buying, and are comfortable with installing it yourself, go ahead and give it a try. But...and this is just from my experience...you probably won't do it again. If you are new to this business, and don't already know the equipment inside and out, it would be beneficial for you to have someone to hold your hand when needed...and a real warranty from an authorized distributor doesn't hurt, either...

That's all I'll go into right now...but if you have specific questions, or want greater detail, feel free to ask. BTW, I don't really like to think I'm negative about salon ownership (though sometimes I may come across that way), but I am realistic about business in general...and there are certain facts we just have to deal with.

Best of luck to you, whatever you decide!

DWhite6872

Wow, based on this thread I wouldn't have opened a tanning salon....I have always found you need to come up with your ideas first and then figure out your plan....If you ask anyone about any bus. they will tell you negative things...I own a lot of apartments in our town and I opened my first tanning salon 1 year ago....we have our second open and we are opening another 4 salons by "season" and will finish the market with 10-12 salons by next season.....Why? because there is an opening in our market with salon owners that have not put money in equipment, advertising, location, and buildout. The market is changing...do you live in a major metro area? If you do and everyone else has been sleeping....go for it...dominate the market ...pick great equip. make sure you see advertising as a investmeet not an expense and go for the throat......