sbogart

Do you recommend hiring a consultant to help start up your business etc?
If so, any names or recommendations?

TanningEmporium

i will be it for you...what are you willing to pay and when do i start?

howardtheduck

Ask your bed or lotion rep. They may know more than you think when it comes to build out costs, projected costs, and what you can expect to make in you first year. Example: each tanning unit you have should bring in aprox $15,000 per year with aprox 30% of that being lotion sales. That's an actual average and this was brought to you free.

DWhite6872

I would say talk to sunsally

Steve Underhill

It is funny that everybody feels that if they sell equipment or own a salon they are qualified to be a Business Consultant. That is really not the case. Here is a list of some of the things that a qualified Consultant should provide along with a proven track record of opening successful salons. You can also receive these services FREE from Consultants that provide equipment. Here is the most important truth, you can expect to do 30% to 60% more business when assisted by a qualified Consultant.

Business Plan Development Assistance
One of the most important elements of opening a business or requesting funding for a new business is a comprehensive business plan. In order to create a business plan you must have a complete understanding of the type of business you plan to open. A good business plan is more than development cost and spread sheets. You must have a clear understanding and strategic plan as to how a successful business will be operated. After 27 years in the tanning industry I have developed hundreds of business plans utilizing the proven techniques of the Tanning Today marketing program. Business plan development is one of the many services that are available to my clients at no cost.

Income Projections
It is important to have realistic income projections when evaluating locations and writing business plans. I have developed an accurate formula for creating income projections based on industry trends and statistics combined with the demographics and equipment mix of your salon.

Site Evaluations
The location of your business can be the difference between success and failure in the tanning industry. There are many things to look for when choosing a tanning salon location that you would not be aware of unless you have owned a successful salon before. It is my job to insure proper evaluation of a desired location.

Demographics & Demographic Evaluation
Many important decisions are made based on demographics. Your business plan, income projections and future growth are based on demographics. My custom designed tanning salon demographic reports are provided by Demographics Now, the most comprehensive demographic source in the US. My demographic evaluation is based on industry statistics, and is a valuable tool in the development of your new salon.

Floor Plan Design & Build-Out Specifications
In order to properly evaluate a potential location or to maximize the effectiveness of a selected location, you must have a floor plan. I will create a floor plan design and build-out specifications based on your particular needs. Having a floor plan in the early stages makes it easier to negotiate a lease and get accurate build-out bids.

Lease Negotiations
There is an art to negotiating a lease. I can save you thousands of dollars over the term of your lease and get you maximum build-out allowance. The money you save on your lease can be used in other areas of your business development.

Tanning Today Marketing Program
My marketing program is the most successful program in the tanning industry today. Salons using my proven methods of marketing are among the top 2% of income producing salons in the industry. Now you have the opportunity of being the most successful salon in your area.


Tanning Center Guide
The success of your salon can also be connected to the level of organization of your business. My Tanning Center Guide provides you with a tool that will give you a clear understanding of what it takes to be a successful tanning salon. This document is the perfect foundation for your employee manual.

Point of Sale Material
I provide you with material that makes it easy to sell your services. These materials are provided on a CD, making it convenient for reprinting.

Advertising Strategies
What and when you advertise is equally important. The in your face method of advertising is crucial to the service industry of tanning. I will guide you through the proper method of advertising while sharing proven promotions and specials that will create the desired salon traffic.

Comprehensive Employee Training Manual
Employee training and consistent transfer of information are crucial to the consistent success of a tanning salon. Our Employee Training manual is the most extensive source of information for training your employees.

sunsally

Steve -

With all due respect, since your post follows when dwhite "suggested" me as a consultant, let me hope that you are not insuating that I am not qualified to be a Business Consultant since I've been doing that for 20 years. However, out of respect to this board, I'll resist the urge to write a long post "spamming" my services and instead suggest that if anyone is interested in learning more, they may feel free to send me a PM and I would be more than happy to speak to them in detail.

Some consultants inflate the price of equipment to pay for their "free" consulting. Others offer a proposal matched to actual services desired/needed and an associated cost along with assistance in then negotiating the best possible equipment costs for the BEST equipment that fits in a particular salon environment. Different strokes for different folks. Which one is "better" or "cheaper" will depend on your particular circumstances. I have enough connections that I can go either way although I prefer the latter.

In addition, Howardtheduck offers useful feedback. There is plenty of other "free" advice out there besides that provided by named "consultants". These on-line sites, manufacturers, industry trade mags and more. Keep in mind - anytime you are getting help for "free", what is the motivation? Doesn't mean free is BAD - it just sometimes comes with an "agenda". Or - the quality reflects "you get what you pay for". The question is - can you tell the difference?

Consultants can be very helpful to help you avoid some of the pitfalls and get you on the road to success faster. Some are more than content to fumble along and "figure it out as they go". Others look at it as "time is money" and want to utilize the known shortcuts to success. Your philosophy, as well as your own personal experience and qualifications in opening and running a business, will dictate if a consultant makes sense for you.

TFranssen

Two things, in my opinion, everyone needs to begin any type of business transition:

1) a good accountant; the B=I*T-C/H,Y kind - they seem to be the best, don't ask me why but they can run your spreadsheets, pay your bills and make sure no one hurts your company - just by giving you that look!
2) a good consultant, if only for a little while: just to get your feet wet, assist you in getting a few discounts and introductions you may not have thought possible!!

Sunsally, you are very informative in your posts and seem to have your head on your shoulders - nice to meet you! I hear many good things about you!

Steve Underhill has been in the biz so long, we're starting to call him "over the hill". Great guy! Knows his stuff and you'll enjoy talking to him - his passion overflows.

Dana White - what I wouldn't do to have half her ambition and go getter attitude! Dynamic woman - and like all of us - sunsally, steve, and many many others in this industry - da woman's got passion. She also has kick @$$ salons AND she's a ball buster when she wants to be AND she has a franchise agreement for the Girl Power stuff she exudes!

Dennis is another one. Get your pen out if you talk to that man! His life has been right here in this industry too!

These are few and far between - you'll fall in love with them all but keep your hands off Dennis cause he looks like brad pitt and wears boxers better than tom cruise.........

Have fun doing your homework here. Get in your car and travel around looking at salons across the country! Talk one on one with some of these people - you'll see: they fight like brothers and sisters - but they also stick together like brothers and sisters! You are going to loooovvvee this industry!! Best of luck!

Find the person that enhances your personality, brings out some of that passion - some personalities clash. Talk to everyone - visit some of the salons they've helped create. Enjoy! Life is too short not to!

Whatever you do - don't stress out about making your dreams come true! Take your time!


_________________
Terri Franssen

[ This Message was edited by: TFranssen on 2005-07-06 20:38 ][ This Message was edited by: TFranssen on 2005-07-06 20:50 ]

TFranssen

[ This Message was edited by: TFranssen on 2005-07-06 20:52 ]

sbogart

Thanks for the advice. I have read a lot of the posts and have been taking my time getting it together. However, I should hope that within a few more weeks I will be ready to make the JUMP!

TFranssen

Don't jump - leap........gracefully - or you could break something Just kidding! You have plenty of time! Call these folks - let them sweep you off your feet so you don't get hurt!