sunkissedpr1ncs

I've worked at a number of different tanning salons and spas over the last few years and it has always been my dream to open my own tanning salon. I just graduated from college in May and figured now would be the best time to start. I am just in the business plan phase so I know I still have a long way to go, but am looking for any advice and help I can get!

The city where I plan to open my salon has a few tanning salons, but they are all run down and have old, crappy beds, bad management, etc. So I am going to open an upscale tanning salon with new beds that will attract the high end customers and the college students who are very close as well.

There is a great tanning chain in the neighboring cities, but none in mine that use Soltron beds and I really like them. They are very attractive and stylish and they work great! I am trying to figure out which beds to get. They are a BlueBox salon as well. I woud really like to dothis as well since I like it so much, but would it just seem like I am copying them?

Also, do most salons lease their beds from the company? Or do they include that in the financing they get from the bank?

I am a little lost when it comes to the level of beds as well since the salon I worked at just had base 20min beds, upgrade 10min beds and a stand up. I know level 1 is your base beds and I want mine to be 15min. beds. But what do the levels 2, 3 and 4 consist of? I also want to get the Matrix for the high pressure bed as I have used it before and loved it! What level is that considered? I am also thinking of getting the VersaSpa b/c a friend of mine used it and said it was great!

Also, what software does everyone reccomend? I have used Helios (older version) and Suntouch before. They both seem to have their advantages and disadvantages. The Helios version I used had a master edit screen where you could change anything in the clients profile, including giving them more sessions than they really had, etc. I saw this done many times and do not want it to be done in my salon. Does anyone know if that option has changed in the more recent versions?

ahhhh! So many questions! Sorry this is so long but I would really appreciate any advice anyone could give me! And I know I'll prob be on here asking more and more! Thanks!

Neon Beach

Good luck with that.

Mr Derf

Don't do it. You can make more money working at McDonalds.

Neon Beach

I'm curious as to how you plan to finance this 375+K adventure.

engfant

Start a car wash.

__________________
"And shut your mouth pussycat e fammi un macchiato, pronto!"

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sunkissedpr1ncs

Thanks for the help....ha.

Seriously, is there anyone on this site that can actually give me some advice and not be so **** condescending...please don't reply to my post if all you have to say are snide comments...Thanks.

Neon Beach

Don't do it!

Very good advice.

Mr Derf

How about reading posts about how bad the tanning business has been lately?

engfant

I honestly think it's a good idea to open up right now.

Just need to know what the **** you are doing.


Just cause the new car market (us at least) is in the toilet doesn't mean the USED car market is.

__________________
"And shut your mouth pussycat e fammi un macchiato, pronto!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhHhXukovMU

Mayor

I don`t know how much you have searched on this site, but, sounds like you need to use the search. There are many on here that can help you (and will) if you educate your self enough to ask questions. "Snide" ****condesending remarks is part of the process and fun.

You are just starting the process of learning. The salon you worked at is like most of the salons in my area (base beds) and you don`t know enough to ask the right questions yet. It will take a lot of lurking the sites to educate yourself. I am not being a smart a** when I tell you to use the search..........then be sure not to pi*s of those who can really help you.!!! Lot of very nice people on here who also like to have fun while helping......take care and good luck........:lol: