scared...

[BelleMãe]

[Tanning Queen]

You need to know your demographics and what they will support equipment and price wise. It is a very big risk and you can lose it all. But that is with any small business. There are no guarantees, unfortuantely. How small is small? A bed or 2 really wont make you money let alone cover the expenses. Do a break down of everything and remember to include it all into the cost per session. Dont listen to a disty tell you it only costs $.50 per session. Add in the cost of lamps, bed payments, payroll, insurance, inventory, fixtures and buildout, electric, advertising, etc.

[BelleMãe]

[Tanning Queen]

How do you not have any overhead?

[Shan]

This IS a risky and hard business, but you basically have no competition and if you open SOON, you will prob. do fine. Don't wait much longer though....if you get open AFTER peak season, you'll suck wind all fall and winter until next year putting you behind. Have you thought about selling other items as well since you have a town full of bored women? Candles, jewelry, etc... something else to bring them in and spend extra money on while they are there.?

[Tanning Queen]

No. Honestly wait until Nov/Dec at the earliest to open. You are missing the prime time now and by the time you do open, it will be summer and no biz. Wait til just before season starts to open. Meanwhile, do LOTS of research!

[BelleMãe]

[Din]

Originally Posted by BelleMãe

I will open now (late May-June probably) this is Canada its winter here till may

That is the END of the busy season.....you will still have your proms, grads, weddings and events for the summer but your BUSY season is x-mas-New Years and mid Feb - early June......

You will be opening at the END of the busy season and you will sit on your ass-all day long. It will be discouraging.

You should be opening end of Oct, early Nov. to tan ppl for x-mas and getting ready for vacationers building their base and your moody winter ppl that need to heat up and get colour. THAT is when it's busy. When it's 10 feet of snow out and it's -40C. Not when it's +20. When it's +20 they get the sun for free. Everyone is outside all day long.

You've got it backwards.

Read the Thesaurus again....and look up JASON....your slow season. July, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov.

[BelleMãe]

[SandiGirl]

Okay, I'm having a small bout of amnesia....doing it from home still or finding a retail spot?

[BelleMãe]

[Will]

You are in for a huge shock. Read Din's post over and over again until you believe it.

[Tanning Queen]

Ever notice that people outside of the industry think our season is completely different than reality? Why do they want to challenge what we all have actually experienced and say they know better?

This isnt aimed at you directly Bella. You arent the only one to come on and say we dont know the area. I just find it interesting that soon to be salon owners always seem to know when the best time to open and what the best months are for making money. When the veterans say otherwise, they say their area is different and we dont know what we are talking about. But then they learn otherwise...

[BelleMãe]

[Will]

Perhaps you are right and you will be able to do things differently. With your attitude I expect you will be just fine. Good luck.

[Tanning Queen]

I never said not to do it and not to do it your way. I just said you really should listen to those who have done it for a long time and know what they are saying. No I dont know you and am sure you will be great at it. I also never said you would fail.

Like I said, it was never directed at you personally. It is just that MANY people come on here and try to say we are all stupid and they know what to do. Meanwhile, they are all out of business now and lost everything. I dont want that to happen to you. I was just trying to point out what I have learned in my years in the biz and dealing with salon owners all over the country and Canada. Take it or leave it.

I dont know where you got that I was bitchy or judgemental but that is hardly the case. I just tell it like it is. I dont sugar coat things and just try and get to the point as quick as possible. Where did I say that people with kids can't be beautiful???? I am not snooty and I never taught my employees to treat clients that way. My employees always treated my guests exactly as that, as guests. They werent even called clients or customers. I was very successful with the salon. I dont plan on changing anything if I choose to reopen one day.

[SandiGirl]

You know what, if it's out of her home then what overhead does she have? The power will only be used if there are tanners...who then will be paying. And in a smaller town I don't think the power will be very high. I think in this case it doesn't matter when she opens as long as she can cover the equipment costs if nobody comes for a month or two. I opened in June...mind you I had 3 months free rent. It gave me time to get comfortable with everything before getting busy and that's when all the stupid questions from customers come.

If you feel that you can cover the costs if you don't get the clientel you expected right away then go for it.

[Tanning Queen]

I guess my point is why open and not be in season to do it? Why waste money and time when if you waited a bit longer, you could be more profitable from day one. I just would rather see her succeed than struggle like I did when I opened. I opened in July All too often people get in this biz and end up buying them a job and many times losing money while workin all the time for nothing. I get scared for people that have families that might get hurt from failing. That's all. Sorry if that is "bitchy"

[SandiGirl]

I think the fact that this is out of her house in a small town is a whole different kettle of fish. Basically free rent. My power has never been over $700 for a 2 month period with 5 beds. Meh, maybe I'm an optimist to balance out my bitchiness.

[Din]

Originally Posted by Will

You are in for a huge shock. Read Din's post over and over again until you believe it.

Yup....many make the mistake of thinking their market is different.....

But Belle, also take into account DELAYS on your projection date.

We were supposed to open in early December and we opened in May. Not only did the delays in the project make us pay for rent and lease payments and we were not even open yet (big loss) but there was no income coming in. we missed the entire busy season and opened right at the end of it.

Good thing we were already experienced in the tanning industry for years and it was our 2nd location and we overcame that huge loss at the beginning. Now we are doing great in our 2nd year at that location and constantly getting better.

If you plan on opening in the slow season, account for delays in permits, construction, family stuff......you might just end up opening in busy season which may be bad. (for some reason).

Either way, regardless of if it's a friend....actually ...especially cuz it's a friend and they are doing you a favour, expect delays at least 1-2 month delays. Maybe even from your bed supplier....that's always fun.

Good luck to ya.