Getting cold feet!!!! - Page 3

TanDeSoleil · 10-02-2005, 08:31 AM

HBT, where did you come up with that average of $60 to $75? That seems very low. Is that based on your situation or is that a documented study I need to read. Thanks

HBT6872 · 10-02-2005, 09:53 AM

I read a ton of things, but I think the SunBusiness book by Ergoline is one of the places I found it. I think that would be a good question to ask everyone. I would think salons that have high volume would be lower and the salons with less of a database would be higher.

Your questions based on borrowed money makes it even worse. I am the last person to say anything negative ever, I think everything is worth looking into...but what you have said so far, even brings caution to me!

HBT6872 · 10-02-2005, 09:55 AM

If you would really like help. Tell us what the fixed costs would be for your salon?

pam · 10-02-2005, 10:16 AM

I have to agree with the others. It sounds like you really want to do this even though several people who have great experience in the business are saying they see huge red flags.
It appears that you are buying yourself a more than full time job at minimum wage or lower. You asked for advice and it seems to be a consensus that this probably isn't a good investment especially of borrowed money. Having been in beauty business for many years, I know that keeping good stylists and nail techs can be a never ending battle. I can see not driving 20 miles to tan..but for my hair, not sure about that.

Plus, your target of 75 people (out of projected 186 base) buying a package each and every month seems unrealistic. I don't know...sounds really risky to me.....and YES, King Belvedere is a bit sarcastic at times!

TanDeSoleil · 10-02-2005, 10:30 AM

My husband is the money man and does not want me to discuss our $$ situation anymore on this thread. This is more of a hobby for me and if I make some money that would be nice. What I don't want is to LOSE money. That is why I have brought in the hair and nail side of it. The hairdresser that wants one of my booths is a retired salon owner of many Aveda Concept salons and she is a tremendous resource for me regarding the salon side. She could make the salon side extremely successful for me. I feel I have really hit the jackpot with her. A salon in this community could have great potential. With that extra income and flow of people, in conjunction with bath and body products, aromatherapies, candles and a body wellness section, I thought I could generate other revenue until I could expand the bed count. My approach to the salon and tanning side is to give the client a different experience. One that is based on pampering them. Example, A tanning "suite" instead of a room." With this, I am hoping that would set me apart from the others in town. I will listent to what you have said and I appreciate your honesty with me. I know your intentions are good. Thanks for your concern and maybe we can correspond in the future! Rememember, these are Texans and they are all about lookin good.

HBT6872 · 10-02-2005, 10:35 AM

If you are only giving us half the information then we cannot give good advice. If you would like to lay it out there for us...bonus. If you would like to pm me the full picture, I would be more than happy to look at it. There are a lot of good salon owners with a wide range of experience to help, but we need the full picture.

sunsally · 10-02-2005, 10:50 AM

If YOU are a hair stylist or nail tech or both and YOU plan on opening this salon so YOU can build hair/nail clientele and the tanning beds are just "extra" income -- that's one thing and might make sense.

If you are going at this like an "entrepreneur" who thinks you will be able to "find" hair stylists to pay you $125/week and $70/week and then YOU are going to take on the entire RISK for that, as well as however much you can make off the tanning - everyone has right to be concerned for you!

Rent - $950/mo or about $12K/yr.
Payroll - even if you aren't "paying" yourself, should at least figure a $7/hr min wage = $25K
Utilities, phone, water, gas, internet (?) - $6K
Advertising - $12K (minimum)
Supplies/lamps/maint - $12K

Etc, etc.

As mentioned, nail techs (especially) and hair stylists are notoriously hard to find and keep. It takes them awhile to build a clientele, and they may not be able to pay $500/mo when they are only seeing a few folks a day initially. But if they leave, trying to attract people to your 3 bed "salon" and making it on that $$ alone - impossible!

The numbers dwhite quoted are industry figures and nothing in your set-up has you poised to do better. I'd abandon the idea unless you make changes or are prepared to barely break even or lose money.

sunsally · 10-02-2005, 10:57 AM

You were posting, with new info, while I was posting.

Your "hobby" is either going to require your full-time attention - or pay someone else to run it for you and hope they have the "passion" and "customer focus" that it deserves --- all while paying them $7-8 an hour so it doesn't eat into your profits.

Tanners want access -- plan on being open 7 days/week, minimum of 65 hours.

Only so many "accessories" someone can buy - and remember, you are starting with a target market of only 4800!! Many of whom will ALREADY have their favorite hair stylist, nail techs, tanning salons and accessory-buying places elsewhere!

Have no idea what a "tanning suite" would be, but it sounds like more sq. feet with less revenue - not smart.

Also - for only $21K for 3 beds -- no offense intended, but you are not exactly bringing in "state of the art" top-of-the-line tanning machines. If it's the "same ol thing" everywhere else in town, they'll want to pay the "same ol" $3/visit. Tanning "suite" or not.

If you're looking for "permission" - only you can decide that. If you're looking for a "guarantee" that this will be a "fun hobby", and not "lose money" --- I wouldn't bank on it.

TanDeSoleil · 10-02-2005, 11:06 AM

What do you think about making the hairdresser(She is loaded) a partner and split the rent and finish out costs with her? I am researching all my options bf I bail.

TanDeSoleil · 10-02-2005, 11:12 AM

Sunsally, the beds I chose are Puretan Impact 28(no facials)-- Jestar 33 w/ facials. I chose these beds bc of the research I have done. I will not compromise quality for a cheap deal, yet you say this sounds cheap. I am glad I got your attention bc I know your reputation on this sight. Is this not a good selection?

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10-02-2005, 08:31 AM	#21 (permalink)
TanDeSoleil Join Date: Sep 25 2005 Posts: 67 Rep Power: 0	HBT, where did you come up with that average of $60 to $75? That seems very low. Is that based on your situation or is that a documented study I need to read. Thanks

10-02-2005, 09:53 AM	#22 (permalink)
HBT6872 Join Date: Sep 22 2005 Location: Ocean Age: 38 Posts: 172 Rep Power: 4	I read a ton of things, but I think the SunBusiness book by Ergoline is one of the places I found it. I think that would be a good question to ask everyone. I would think salons that have high volume would be lower and the salons with less of a database would be higher. Your questions based on borrowed money makes it even worse. I am the last person to say anything negative ever, I think everything is worth looking into...but what you have said so far, even brings caution to me!

10-02-2005, 09:55 AM	#23 (permalink)
HBT6872 Join Date: Sep 22 2005 Location: Ocean Age: 38 Posts: 172 Rep Power: 4	If you would really like help. Tell us what the fixed costs would be for your salon?

10-02-2005, 10:16 AM	#24 (permalink)
pam Police Department Join Date: Oct 29 2001 Location: USA Posts: 5,036 Rep Power: 9	I have to agree with the others. It sounds like you really want to do this even though several people who have great experience in the business are saying they see huge red flags. It appears that you are buying yourself a more than full time job at minimum wage or lower. You asked for advice and it seems to be a consensus that this probably isn't a good investment especially of borrowed money. Having been in beauty business for many years, I know that keeping good stylists and nail techs can be a never ending battle. I can see not driving 20 miles to tan..but for my hair, not sure about that. Plus, your target of 75 people (out of projected 186 base) buying a package each and every month seems unrealistic. I don't know...sounds really risky to me.....and YES, King Belvedere is a bit sarcastic at times!

10-02-2005, 10:35 AM	#26 (permalink)
HBT6872 Join Date: Sep 22 2005 Location: Ocean Age: 38 Posts: 172 Rep Power: 4	If you are only giving us half the information then we cannot give good advice. If you would like to lay it out there for us...bonus. If you would like to pm me the full picture, I would be more than happy to look at it. There are a lot of good salon owners with a wide range of experience to help, but we need the full picture.

10-02-2005, 10:57 AM	#28 (permalink)
sunsally www.highlinecapital.com Join Date: Nov 23 2004 Location: ITA Member & Berman Supporter! Posts: 2,507 Rep Power: 8	You were posting, with new info, while I was posting. Your "hobby" is either going to require your full-time attention - or pay someone else to run it for you and hope they have the "passion" and "customer focus" that it deserves --- all while paying them $7-8 an hour so it doesn't eat into your profits. Tanners want access -- plan on being open 7 days/week, minimum of 65 hours. Only so many "accessories" someone can buy - and remember, you are starting with a target market of only 4800!! Many of whom will ALREADY have their favorite hair stylist, nail techs, tanning salons and accessory-buying places elsewhere! Have no idea what a "tanning suite" would be, but it sounds like more sq. feet with less revenue - not smart. Also - for only $21K for 3 beds -- no offense intended, but you are not exactly bringing in "state of the art" top-of-the-line tanning machines. If it's the "same ol thing" everywhere else in town, they'll want to pay the "same ol" $3/visit. Tanning "suite" or not. If you're looking for "permission" - only you can decide that. If you're looking for a "guarantee" that this will be a "fun hobby", and not "lose money" --- I wouldn't bank on it.

10-02-2005, 11:06 AM	#29 (permalink)
TanDeSoleil Join Date: Sep 25 2005 Posts: 67 Rep Power: 0	What do you think about making the hairdresser(She is loaded) a partner and split the rent and finish out costs with her? I am researching all my options bf I bail.

10-02-2005, 11:12 AM	#30 (permalink)
TanDeSoleil Join Date: Sep 25 2005 Posts: 67 Rep Power: 0	Sunsally, the beds I chose are Puretan Impact 28(no facials)-- Jestar 33 w/ facials. I chose these beds bc of the research I have done. I will not compromise quality for a cheap deal, yet you say this sounds cheap. I am glad I got your attention bc I know your reputation on this sight. Is this not a good selection?

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