Can the small salon survive - Page 5 - tanTALK

lil_missfit · 02-26-2005, 12:31 AM

As the "small salon owner" you want to do whatever you can to create your own niche in your market. Some of the above topics are true for the small salon owner. We are at our salons more, our clients see us more, have more contact, we can give the occassional "better deal" that our employees are not allowed to give.

As to bad customer service with the big guys. There again, it depends on them. With the salon in my area, the owner has a bad reputation with being rude and arrogant, his staff is pushy. There again, that is them. I have had the opportunity to visit two completely different markets in the past week. Both salon owners have 15+ stores. They and their employees seemed to go above and beyond for me and their customers. Am I glad they they are not my competition, "oh yeah". Can we survive and compete. Sure, but you had better be willing to work your butz off! Just my two cents!

Neon Beach · 02-26-2005, 07:30 PM

That's right, you will have to work harder and possibly be prepared to decrease your quality of life. The big guys may not shut you down, but they will hurt you.

DWhite6872 · 02-26-2005, 10:43 PM

There are ton of towns that are only 45,000 people and salon owners are generating 400,000-500,000 per store. I am amazed that a small town can generate that kind of volume but they can..the salon owners invest in their equipment and advertise and market their salon. I know Neon believes his market is the lowest market in the world...but maybe that is because that is what you offer....if you only have beds that are 20....something lamps then...you will only have bottom feeders.!

_________________
Any Advice given please consider the size of your market![ This Message was edited by: DWhite6872 on 2005-02-27 18:22 ]

TotalEclipse · 02-27-2005, 10:04 AM

Hey...what's with someone having pretty much the same name as me with exception of a 1 at the end???? I hope no one holds either myself or them responsible for something the other says!!!

Neon Beach · 02-27-2005, 10:11 AM

I had it first.

"if you only have beds that are 20....something lamps then...you will only have bottom feeders.!"

That can be a bit insulting to many DW. I could fill my salon with "mega" beds topping 40 lamps, but no extra money will be made from it. If your market will only pay Kia prices, why load your salon with Ferraris? IMO

Hank van · 02-27-2005, 11:39 AM

I think neon just tells us all that he is in a depressed market to keep the comp away behind the seens he make's tons of cash. excuse my spelling I was raised up north to.

Kay · 02-27-2005, 11:53 AM

Quote:
On 2005-02-25 18:01:00, JeffinKC wrote:
Your glass is always have empty isn't it? Your market will support this equipment if you understand how to sell it. The market I am in is middle class and it is sometimes a hard sell but it can be done. People are all the same....they may sometimes be conservative but are willing to pay more if you sell the benefits and value.

"Crazy" giveaways are not crazy if they get people in your salon to try and also buy into the equipment you are so skeptical of.
Your location has a lot to do with the type of equipment you should have. If you are in an area that there is a tanning salon on every corner then bigger beds may be better. If your in an area that you are the only salon in a 20 mile radius then why have the bigger beds? Be Prepare for growth then you will have the money to up-grade your bed when needed. Grow with the area. Would you spend 30,000 + on a bed and your only competition is a peacock in a hair salon?

Neon Beach · 02-27-2005, 11:59 AM

Very good point.

DWhite6872 · 02-27-2005, 07:25 PM

I am just saying maybe people won't pay for your upgrades because of their choices . There are a ton of salon owners on here with a 45,000 population with big beds or middle beds doing very well. You say promotions that work in every other city in the country...will not work in your town but you have never tried one..so how would you know?

Neon Beach · 02-27-2005, 08:47 PM

I haven't stuck a needle in my eye yet either, but I don't have to try it to know I won't like it.

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02-26-2005, 12:31 AM	#41 (permalink)
lil_missfit Join Date: Sep 29 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,374 Rep Power: 25	As the "small salon owner" you want to do whatever you can to create your own niche in your market. Some of the above topics are true for the small salon owner. We are at our salons more, our clients see us more, have more contact, we can give the occassional "better deal" that our employees are not allowed to give. As to bad customer service with the big guys. There again, it depends on them. With the salon in my area, the owner has a bad reputation with being rude and arrogant, his staff is pushy. There again, that is them. I have had the opportunity to visit two completely different markets in the past week. Both salon owners have 15+ stores. They and their employees seemed to go above and beyond for me and their customers. Am I glad they they are not my competition, "oh yeah". Can we survive and compete. Sure, but you had better be willing to work your butz off! Just my two cents!

02-26-2005, 07:30 PM	#42 (permalink)
Neon Beach Join Date: Nov 30 2000 Location: Ontario Age: 61 Posts: 38,594 Rep Power: 108	That's right, you will have to work harder and possibly be prepared to decrease your quality of life. The big guys may not shut you down, but they will hurt you.

02-26-2005, 10:43 PM	#43 (permalink)
DWhite6872 Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Apr 22 2004 Posts: 3,646 Rep Power: 0	There are ton of towns that are only 45,000 people and salon owners are generating 400,000-500,000 per store. I am amazed that a small town can generate that kind of volume but they can..the salon owners invest in their equipment and advertise and market their salon. I know Neon believes his market is the lowest market in the world...but maybe that is because that is what you offer....if you only have beds that are 20....something lamps then...you will only have bottom feeders.! _________________ Any Advice given please consider the size of your market![ This Message was edited by: DWhite6872 on 2005-02-27 18:22 ]

02-27-2005, 10:04 AM	#44 (permalink)
TotalEclipse Join Date: Dec 24 2004 Location: Dallas Age: 47 Posts: 370 Rep Power: 20	Hey...what's with someone having pretty much the same name as me with exception of a 1 at the end???? I hope no one holds either myself or them responsible for something the other says!!!

02-27-2005, 10:11 AM	#45 (permalink)
Neon Beach Join Date: Nov 30 2000 Location: Ontario Age: 61 Posts: 38,594 Rep Power: 108	I had it first. "if you only have beds that are 20....something lamps then...you will only have bottom feeders.!" That can be a bit insulting to many DW. I could fill my salon with "mega" beds topping 40 lamps, but no extra money will be made from it. If your market will only pay Kia prices, why load your salon with Ferraris? IMO

02-27-2005, 11:39 AM	#46 (permalink)
Hank van Join Date: Nov 23 2003 Location: michigan Posts: 362 Rep Power: 22	I think neon just tells us all that he is in a depressed market to keep the comp away behind the seens he make's tons of cash. excuse my spelling I was raised up north to.

02-27-2005, 11:53 AM	#47 (permalink)
Kay I love Derf!! Join Date: Jul 16 2004 Location: NH Posts: 474 Rep Power: 22	Quote: On 2005-02-25 18:01:00, JeffinKC wrote: Your glass is always have empty isn't it? Your market will support this equipment if you understand how to sell it. The market I am in is middle class and it is sometimes a hard sell but it can be done. People are all the same....they may sometimes be conservative but are willing to pay more if you sell the benefits and value. "Crazy" giveaways are not crazy if they get people in your salon to try and also buy into the equipment you are so skeptical of. Your location has a lot to do with the type of equipment you should have. If you are in an area that there is a tanning salon on every corner then bigger beds may be better. If your in an area that you are the only salon in a 20 mile radius then why have the bigger beds? Be Prepare for growth then you will have the money to up-grade your bed when needed. Grow with the area. Would you spend 30,000 + on a bed and your only competition is a peacock in a hair salon?

02-27-2005, 11:59 AM	#48 (permalink)
Neon Beach Join Date: Nov 30 2000 Location: Ontario Age: 61 Posts: 38,594 Rep Power: 108	Very good point.

02-27-2005, 07:25 PM	#49 (permalink)
DWhite6872 Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Apr 22 2004 Posts: 3,646 Rep Power: 0	I am just saying maybe people won't pay for your upgrades because of their choices . There are a ton of salon owners on here with a 45,000 population with big beds or middle beds doing very well. You say promotions that work in every other city in the country...will not work in your town but you have never tried one..so how would you know?

02-27-2005, 08:47 PM	#50 (permalink)
Neon Beach Join Date: Nov 30 2000 Location: Ontario Age: 61 Posts: 38,594 Rep Power: 108	I haven't stuck a needle in my eye yet either, but I don't have to try it to know I won't like it.

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