The Dream of Opening a New Salon

[Kathe]

As I stated in the other thread. We are a 10 bed salon, open in this location since 1996. We have a reputation in the community built over 12 years. I can't even fathom opening a new salon right now. No way, especially with the extra overhead of paying for equipment. (Ours is paid in full).

Just being realistic.

Kathe

[Stephen Underhill]

Originally Posted by certain

Posting that your the answer to all newbees is a little much.

You must agree that the majority of new salons that are opened today or over the years where opened by operators that knew very little about the business and did not properly structure the salon. It is just as easy and cost less to get qualified help that will ensure that you are making all of the right decisions.

This is an industry that is driven less by economic conditions than any other industry. The wellness industry, Tanning Salons, Nail Salons, Hair Salons, Fitness Centers are all part of the wellness industry. Unlike other consumer driven industry's that sell high ticket items, we sell an experience not a product, that allows you to feel good about yourself at a price that is not effected by economic conditions. If a female can't afford to eat she will still get her nails and hair done as bell as tanning and working out. Women must look good and feel good about themselves no matter what. Yes we must adjust with the times. It is not economic conditions that cause tanning salons to fail, it is how they are structured and operated that creates the problem. Advertising,pricing, packaging,communication and most of all the overall experience that your salon provides is the key. When times are tough we may not sell as many $30 tans but everyone can afford to spend $5 a week to tan. This is all a part of structure and remembering the base value tanner. Adjust with the times. The salon that opened 12 years ago typically has not changed with the times and is showing wear. Just because you have owned a salon for a long time does not suggest that you are maximizing potential income. Most of what I see here is salon owners that are working scared, hanging on by a thread. It does not have to be that way. You can't eat an elephant in one bite, however you can eat him a bite at a time. It is collectively all of the little things that should be done that make such a huge difference. Never open a new or operate an existing business scared. If you do not have complete confidence in what you are doing and it's success than you will struggle or fail. Get help from a qualified Consultant, it will make all the difference in the world. Being a salon owner does not make you a Consultant, you only know what you are doing at your salon. A qualified Consultant will take the successful formulas of all salons all over the country for the past 30 years, throwing out the bad and keeping the good and organizing it in a business model that will create your best opportunity for success in any market and during any economic time. There is always room for improvement and to increase sales, you must be open minded and be willing to ask for help, the trick is to ask the right person for help. You would not ask a divorced person for advice with your marriage. Asking people that are struggling in this industry and think tanning is the wrong business to be in is probably not a good idea. I can assure that if you speak to a Consultant one on one you will know immediately that the level of knowledge of how to succeed is much greater than you can get anywhere else. Phone calls are free. Now how long winded was that?

[Stephen Underhill]

When opening a new salon, purchasing an existing salon or restructuring an existing salon, you will get the best results, and create the highest possible income when you get qualified assistance. Take the time to investigate.

[tuscantan]

Stephen,

That was some great advice! Thanks for sharing...

rach

[Hankvan]

qualified assistance so were would these newbies find that YOU

[Glowtanning530]

Originally Posted by Hankvan

qualified assistance so were would these newbies find that YOU

I didn't get much sleep last night... is this english?

[Stephen Underhill]

Originally Posted by neon beach

Steve you left out the part about being successful 100% of the time. Tell them that part. Maybe that will make the difference.

Tell you what.

You do the business plan, negotiate the lease, oversee the buildout, put the beds in and get it open. I'll step in and pay you 75% of the net until I get you paid off with 9.75% interest for the life of the deal.

How about it? Are you willing to make the deal with your money?

It is a shame you don't understand the value of getting assistance from someone that has 30 years experience. Everyone can use help. I read hear every day people that are open and say I am lost. This situation can be avoided. What do you have against Consultants? Have you ever worked with one?

[Stephen Underhill]

These forums are a great place to meet other salon owners in an environment where everyone is happy to share information. The only problem is that a lot of the salon owners here are struggling and came to get help, while they are here the give advice on how to be successful. While there is a lot of great information here, there is also a great deal of really bad information. Sorting through all of this information can be overwhelming.

You spend a lot of money on your lease, your build-out and equipment and yet the most valuable thing is getting qualified assistance that can provide you with a successful business model. Be smart be successful, save time and money while giving yourself the best opportunity to succeed. Al it takes is a phone call to see if a Consultant is right for you.

[Stephen Underhill]

Originally Posted by Stephen Underhill

You have always dreamed of owning your own tanning salon and you have finally made the decision open one. You have done lots of research and you have some great ideas of what will make your salon better than the other salons in your area. You have spent a great deal of time on the forums getting bits and pieces of additional ideas. However you are just not sure how to put all of the pieces together. You purchase a business plan program and spend weeks writing a business plan. You find some locations that you like and finally decide on the one you like. It’s time to negotiate a lease so you are back on the forums asking for advice. Now without having the knowledge or experience to negotiate your best deal you enter into a lease. Now you are ready to build your salon but you are not sure of where to start. You have a good idea of how you want your salon to look so you start getting bids. You have never built a salon so each time you talk to a contractor you are changing what you want. You settle on a contractor. During the build-out many situations come up that where never discussed and the cost keeps going up. There are things that you forgot or did not realize needed to be done. You may or may not have enough AC or electrical. The store is finally completed.

While the store was being built you come back to the forums to get help with deciding on the best equipment and possible mix. You also need help with pricing and maybe ask for another salon owner’s employee training manual. You are not sure what kind of specials to open with or why you have structured your pricing the way you have. Much of your knowledge and information came from other struggling salon owners that came to the forums for assistance. You open your store and it is not as busy as you had hoped so you come back to the forums looking for answers. There are always salon owners that share advice that started in this business the same way you did. It is a vicious circle and you lay awake at night wondering if you did the right thing opening a tanning salon.

Imagine if there was someone with over a quarter of a decade of successful experience in the tanning industry that after discussing your ideas for your salon could walk you through the entire process of opening a successful salon.

What if your business plan was written for you?
What if the locations that you are interested in where evaluated using proven formulas, to insure that you select the best possible location for your salon?
What if your lease was negotiated for you saving you thousands of dollars over the term of the lease?
What if income and cost of operations projections where made fore you based on your location and proven formulas?
What if your salon was designed for you based on your ideas?
What if a build-out specification list was created for you so that all of your contractors are bidding on the same job and nothing is left out so there will be no surprises later?
What if a cost budget was established for you so you don’t overpay for build-out?
What if a proven successful marketing and pricing program was provided for you?
What if an employee training manual was written specifically for your salon?
What if advertising strategies where provided to you for every season?
What if you opened with the knowledge and confidence to be among the 10% of most profitable salons in the US?
What if the person providing these services was always there to assist you for as long as you own your salon?
What if all of these services where available to you free?
What if you purchased equipment that will lower your electrical consumption by 30%, lower the heat produced by 30% and increase UV out-put by 20%, lowering the cost of opening and operating your salon.

These are very legitimate concerns. The point is, don't just wing it. Have a very specific plan that has a very successful track record and don't leave anything to chance.

[Stephen Underhill]

It is never to late to get assistance, how much assistance is up to you.

[Stephen Underhill]

Save yourself time and money and give yourself the best opportunity to succeed. Gat qualified assistance.

[SandiGirl]

Hahahah random thoughts by SU.

Or are you just bumping your thread?

[Tanning Queen]

It is only cuz I made our boy talk to him.

[Stephen Underhill]

Originally Posted by SandiGirl

Hahahah random thoughts by SU.

Or are you just bumping your thread?

Actually bumping the thread, this and other threads should not get buried.

[SunMan49]

Steve has been 'on-line' for years...from the birth of the original Tan Today.

He must be doing something right..