How many of you?

Maggie · 07-27-2005, 12:28 AM

Ok, I wanted to know how many people here who opened a tanning salon actually had any kind of business experience or schooling for it?

I have a friend who is helping me with everything, but she thinks that I should go and work in an actual tannning salon before I do anything. Basically to learn the ins and outs of the business, and to see if this is something that I really want to do.

If you didn't know a thing about running a business...how did you get through it?

TheBeachStop · 07-27-2005, 12:54 AM

Your friend gives good advise. Even if you work in a salon for 1-3 months, preferably not any where near where you want to establish, this will give you somewhat of an idea of what goes on. My wife and I have extensive business experience. I have started them before, but more B2B. Retail consumer really kicked our butts. Retail softgoods (swimwear/lingerie) is an animal we kinda regret doing. Don't get me wrong, it is doing well (now) and growing daily. Helps us through the winter also, but it consumes a major chunck of our time to manage.

candie · 07-27-2005, 01:22 AM

Take her advice and work in a salon. If you have never worked somewhere, how do you know it is right for you? I worked in a salon for 3 years before I opened my own. I also took business management courses and the like and have an associates degree. I know its not much, but I also had my father, another small business owner, to guide me in my set up and opening decisions. (no he didn't finance, I did it myself) Now its all me. I always knew I wanted my own business and my love for tanning lead me in the right direction.

river_brat · 07-28-2005, 06:53 PM

if anything being educated will save you money and mistakes in the long run. Why would you invest your money in a business you know nothing of?

angelcat04 · 07-28-2005, 08:09 PM

Your friend is very smart. Too many people think this industry is much easier then it really is. You will be surprised.

SandiGirl · 07-29-2005, 03:45 AM

My only knowledge was as a customer. We learnt a lot from our bed manufacturer about the bulbs and what the differences are ect. I did the Smart Tan course before we even opened.

Beach Club Tans · 07-29-2005, 07:14 AM

Nope. Lots and lots and lots of research though.

ramcat · 07-29-2005, 07:44 AM

Don't forget to take a business course of 2 from the local college.

jkonturas · 07-29-2005, 08:33 AM

Dude, I went to college for Sociology- and now I own a THRIVING and very profitable Tanning Salon. I think that you should just use common sense. If you dont know about the industry, study it for a year or so. Look at the ups and downs, because like angelcat said, this business is not as easy as everyone thinks!!

ALOHATANCA · 07-29-2005, 01:45 PM

I was a customer at the very location that I am at now , she closed & I went to Nashville in 2002 where I took lots of classes & took inas much info as possible, as all have said it's not all that & you need DO lots of homework & have some $$$ saved to get through. Go work at a salon as suggested.

07-27-2005, 12:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
Maggie Join Date: Jul 17 2005 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Ok, I wanted to know how many people here who opened a tanning salon actually had any kind of business experience or schooling for it? I have a friend who is helping me with everything, but she thinks that I should go and work in an actual tannning salon before I do anything. Basically to learn the ins and outs of the business, and to see if this is something that I really want to do. If you didn't know a thing about running a business...how did you get through it?

07-27-2005, 12:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
TheBeachStop Join Date: Nov 6 2004 Posts: 247 Rep Power: 4	Your friend gives good advise. Even if you work in a salon for 1-3 months, preferably not any where near where you want to establish, this will give you somewhat of an idea of what goes on. My wife and I have extensive business experience. I have started them before, but more B2B. Retail consumer really kicked our butts. Retail softgoods (swimwear/lingerie) is an animal we kinda regret doing. Don't get me wrong, it is doing well (now) and growing daily. Helps us through the winter also, but it consumes a major chunck of our time to manage.

07-27-2005, 01:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
candie Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Jul 13 2005 Posts: 30 Rep Power: 0	Take her advice and work in a salon. If you have never worked somewhere, how do you know it is right for you? I worked in a salon for 3 years before I opened my own. I also took business management courses and the like and have an associates degree. I know its not much, but I also had my father, another small business owner, to guide me in my set up and opening decisions. (no he didn't finance, I did it myself) Now its all me. I always knew I wanted my own business and my love for tanning lead me in the right direction.

07-28-2005, 06:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
river_brat I love Derf!! Join Date: Apr 1 2004 Location: WEST COAST Age: 28 Posts: 1,572 Rep Power: 5	if anything being educated will save you money and mistakes in the long run. Why would you invest your money in a business you know nothing of?

07-28-2005, 08:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
angelcat04 I love Derf!! Join Date: Jul 26 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 1,914 Rep Power: 6	Your friend is very smart. Too many people think this industry is much easier then it really is. You will be surprised.

07-29-2005, 03:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
SandiGirl OFFICIAL BFF member Join Date: Jan 2 2005 Location: BFFland Posts: 3,331 Rep Power: 36	My only knowledge was as a customer. We learnt a lot from our bed manufacturer about the bulbs and what the differences are ect. I did the Smart Tan course before we even opened.

07-29-2005, 07:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
Beach Club Tans Join Date: May 4 2005 Posts: 91 Rep Power: 0	Nope. Lots and lots and lots of research though.

07-29-2005, 07:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
ramcat Join Date: Oct 26 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 3,224 Rep Power: 6	Don't forget to take a business course of 2 from the local college.

07-29-2005, 08:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
jkonturas Join Date: Aug 27 2003 Location: Rhode Island Age: 31 Posts: 962 Rep Power: 6	Dude, I went to college for Sociology- and now I own a THRIVING and very profitable Tanning Salon. I think that you should just use common sense. If you dont know about the industry, study it for a year or so. Look at the ups and downs, because like angelcat said, this business is not as easy as everyone thinks!!

07-29-2005, 01:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
ALOHATANCA Police Department Join Date: Nov 14 2003 Location: CALIFORNIA Age: 49 Posts: 4,436 Rep Power: 8	I was a customer at the very location that I am at now , she closed & I went to Nashville in 2002 where I took lots of classes & took inas much info as possible, as all have said it's not all that & you need DO lots of homework & have some $$$ saved to get through. Go work at a salon as suggested.

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