Tan Hopes

Okay, so this will be the first of many questions to come, I’ve been frequenting this website for awhile now….

I realize MANY MANY of you don’t recommend opening a salon, so I’d like to throw this information out and see if you would still tell me to stay away with my scenario. I live north of Houston, population being 60k in 2006 (we are the fastest growing county in Texas and supposedly we’ll double that within the next 3 yrs). The incomes are diverse, the largest percentage of the population in the 25 – 44 age,.

We have 4 tanning salons in the whole city; 1 is a Darque Tan, other 3 are much older run down salons. I’ve tanned at all four: (1) I was afraid to lie in the bed it was so dirty, (2) and (3) were okay - no new equipment, lamps seemed to never be changed – young high school girls worked at and were more interested in gabbing with their friends, (4) Darque Tan is always packed, there is no parking (they have a terrible location), their prices just went up up up and they’re rude.

I have been employed in the IT dept at a local bank, where customer service is our number one goal. I have a degree and do a lot of work for the bank in the marketing as well, my husband is making enough that I don’t need to work anymore; but I am someone that can not just not work. I realize a salon would be 24/7 job (I was in the Army for 3 yrs, so I can do 24/7), I work over 60 hrs now so another 20 hrs I could handle (you’re supposed to chuckle at that).

So given all this info, are you still going to tell me to run as far away as I can? If I still decide to follow through, what is the number one thing you’d like to give me advice on?

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1/2 my heart is in Iraq

eileen

If you have the drive, committment and money do it. Probaby the best advice I can give you is to make a good business plan which you should have the background to do your own. The other is don't buy all your equipment from the same supplier even though they will try to entice your with deeper discounts the more you buy.

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under-exposure to uv rays is as dangerous as over-exposure...This is "D" life! (eileen)

sunshakchattano

I just bought my salon 6 months ago...... there is alot to learn!!!!!!!!

My recommendation would be to find a successful owner through tantalk (located a good distance from you.... like 200 miles) that operates their own salon and see if they will allow you to shadow them for a week.. Now would be a very good time because of the volume, you could absorb alot of trade secerets that could save you a bunch of money. You would need to accumulate as much information as possible and then initiate the ones that pertain to your goals. it may cost you a few hundred dollars not but save you thousands later,.....

Tan Hopes

I appreciate your response, I know I've got so much more to learn! There are so many people on this website, with so much knowledge - y'all should put a 'Tanning Salons for Dummies' book out. I'm serious when I say that, some of what I've read about the equipment is boggling to my mind (and I fix networks and computers all day long). I have a lot of respect for everyone that has taken the step to start their own business, then get on this website and give people like myself advice - Thank you!!

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1/2 my heart is in Iraq

unity

I'd do it.

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“There is only so much logical space in our universe,” Binette said. “Think of it like a Chinese take-out box stuffed with Kung-Pao Shrimp. The more shrimp you stuff in, some shrimp pop out the bottom."

Tanzenite

I wouldn't.

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... we don't have a perfect world or everybody would be republicans. - Eileen

dcjjp2

Just be well capitalized from the start. Some of our starting capital went out the door due to huge unforeseen permit/fire code issues with the space before we could have opened the doors (almost 4 mos later) Cost us about another 50K that we weren't expecting.

Buy used equipment from a reputable dealer, not some of the hacks on these sites (you all know who you are)

Have a solid plan like Eileen stated. Also have a marketing plan that suits your demographic. For me personally we wasted about 20K on print that got no response. Your best route IMO is always basic grass roots marketing

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Jeff

nailartist710

I say go for it!! You seem to have the ambition, so why not?! I was told by a bunch of people when I opened my salon not to do it and that I was crazy. Well that was 5 years ago and I'm still going strong. You'll have your good days and your bad days.... Don't want to sugar coat it and make you think that everything will just be great. But, to me, it was worth it!! Good Luck!

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tanman0302

I'd say go for it too! And if there is anything you need help with, I am 36 yrs old nad have been in the industry for 18 yrs!! Let me know if you need any help or advise!

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Robbie S

I'd say don't do it near Darque Tan. They know what they are doing.

Their prices didn't go up...it's still $18.88...they just sell bigger packages.

They are not rude, but in fact, are known for their exceptional customer service. You may have caught someone on a bad day. If so, tell them...they'll happily credit your account without question.