JeffinKC

This topic isn't about us.....
However.......so it isn't for your salon as you seemed to imply? You have used the address in your signature line to continue and spam your booth. I don't think either should be allowed but we shouldn't be selective on this should we? At least I am promoting a product from a banner advertiser.....by the way when are you going to pay to spam?

DWhite6872

I forget what the original topic was..oh, yeah...can a small salon survive? I think anyone can survive if they have great customer service, update their equipment, advertise to their customer base often...and continue to keep your store fresh and visable in your market. I do not believe just because you have a big salon or more than one location you somehow are horrable at customer service!
I think there are great salons out there that have more than one location and have great customer service and great equipment. I can tell you a mistake salon owners make 90% of the time...they do not look as advertising as an investment and they are slow to bring in new beds... I think the new breed of salons will do wonders and I think salons with great service and an intimate atmosphere will always have a place!

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Any Advice given please consider the size of your market![ This Message was edited by: DWhite6872 on 2005-02-28 20:01 ]

JeffinKC

Not sure who censored my last post....probably the dearly departed..... but anyway as I was saying. This topic isn't about signature lines however yours does advertise a booth that you sell and not your salon as you implied earlier. It is simply an ongoing attempt by you to get free advertising. My statement is my opinion and as I've said I will remove mine as soon as you remove yours......now can we get back to the topic.

DWhite6872

JeffinKc...this topic went a couple of different directions...but what do you think...can the small owner survive? The tanning industry is changing...who makes it? What can a small salon owner do to survive? Do you believe that only small local shops provide customer service? I am sorry to put this all on you Jeff...but I think you will tell it straight and give a new view...

misslori

I sure hope they can survive, 'cause I'm one of 'em!! No chains or "mega salons" in my area . . .yet.

ramcat

The main facts are that the smaller salon owners, and I mean the one salon owner, is usually present and provides individual customer service. This is the purest form of service as it is the owner talking directly to the customer. Addressing the customers concerns themself, instead of a teenager. The single salon owner is at the salon doing the ordering, the cleaning and ensures that everything is as it should be.

The multi-salon owner is absent from their salons 1 portion of the time, depending upon the number of salons owned. (i.e. 2 salons = 1/2 day in each; 3 salons = 1/3 day in each, etc.) they cannot keep up with the customers, nor are they present to handle the customer concerns. They hire teenagers, or hire a "Manager" that is still a hired employee. If the owner is lucky, the employees won't steal them blind or give away the tans to every relative they have.

If things go wrong, the single owner is there to handle it, the multi-salon owner will get there eventually or have to try to handle it over the phone.

In my humble opinion, I think that the single salon owner will survive just fine (or I hope so as I am among them). Providing that 'extra' service by being present will go further than having someone else there and hoping that the beds are properly cleaned, towels cleaned and not just refolded, etc...etc....etc....

Neon Beach

Small salon owners can only hold out for so long being friendly, it's the $$ available that will make the difference in the end. Sorry to say.

Grandpa

Neon, do you mean the money available in reserve or just plain money in the bank. I guess my main focus is in a small market, approx. 15k, can enough money be made to live on. I'm talking 35k and up.

JeffinKC

I used to be in the video business and it was hard as an independent to compete with Blockbuster but not impossible.

There is a difference in friendly service and personal service and personal service is what chains and franchises are lacking. Large independent salons still do well with this but the bigger you get the harder it is.

Diversification, grass roots marketing, and customer retention is what you have to focus on.

Diversification....It may be adding HP and Sunless or serices and products like massage and swimwear. You need to see what the large chains/franchises in your area are doing and offer what they don't. Develop a niche to serve that the others don't or can't.

Advertising......
This is tough because you are competing with companies that have advertising budgets many times the size of yours. You have to try more cost effective ways to get your name out like, going door to door with flyers, visiting local businesses, working with other companies to cross promote.

Customer retention....
This is why I think EFT is important because it is hard for them to try the new chain in town if they are locked in with you. Other cusatomer loyalty programs like, punch cards, referals, and frequent tanner discounts help to keep them coming back as well.

As more chains and franchises move into metropolitan areas the suburbs and more rural areas may become more lucrative for the independent salon.

CentralVA

yes. in a niche market. must over service the client, be involved heavily in the community, and price point a dollar or two cheaper per package type against larger competitors.