No reason why you can’t compete, spending an arm and a leg for equipment is a salon owner’s choice but a client can't tell how much money you spent on equipment. It’s more important to have different equipment than your competition. I know of several salons that are kicking the butt of salons that spent much much more on equipment. At some point it’s just a waste of funds.
You have to provide better personal service and market with the big boys. Which in reality for a single salon location does not take a whole lot of cash; you are in essence trying to own your zone (zip code) marketing heavy for about a 5-mile radius.
We charge the same price as our competition on our third level beds; we paid over 8K less per unit. Guess what many clients say our beds tan better. Remember most tanners have not been to that many salons and they don’t pick a salon for the looks of the tanning bed. I have yet had someone walk in the door and say I want a great looking bed.
The time will come when a 40-lamp bed will be entry, the time will come when VHR will be entry. But clients will always want results, and looks will be secondary always.
The biggest advantage a franchise has is organization and experience. If you are a good businessperson you can compete if you run your business right. If it’s not done professionally you will have a problem. |