Do you want to open a salon?

[nuglow]

That was intended for the "veteran". Thank you FIT for the curtious response. Best of luck to you as well.

[FIT]

YW. But you missed the point of my response. It's not how many times someone tans in a week. It's how much guaranteed money you have coming in. I could be wrong but I don't know how someone is going to answer your question without knowing specific demographics from your area. Again, Stephen Underhill can help you. He'll run a demo for your area and tell you how many people (best estimate) in that area tan regularly. I'm not connected to him in anyway and didn't even "purchase" his services. He'll help you.

[nuglow]

No, no. You and I are on the same page. I do however feel that "average" user patterns are extremely helpful in determining a pricing structure and marketing game plan. I suspect that many of these veterans don't know or won't share this valuble info. I will try to contact Stephen. Cheers!

[brownsuze]

Better way to determine pricing structure and marketing plan is to do it based on YOUR EXPENSES, not how much money you think you might have coming in.

[Brian Oshman]

The average number is 100 a day in busy season. July through Nov. is dead time. Prepare for this. Most do not tan all year.

[joetann]

What you paid to build your salon and what kind of equipment you purchase are irrelavent if you have no customers. The cold hard facts are that 25% of the tanner population in North America has disappeared in the last 2 years. To make matters worse, the remaining 75% is enjoying paying some of the the lowest per tan rates ever in the history of the tanning industry. Less customers and market saturation (low pricing) are a bad formula for the most seasoned in this industry, never mind new owners. If this reality show has not aired in your area yet ... it will soon enough.

It's pretty easy to step in shit .... but the cleanup can be quite a job!

Back to "Take a look at my tanning salon .... it's the only one I got. Pretty hot tanning salon .... It really didn't cost a lot.... No customers here, there is not a lot I can do .... so I'll just keep on sniffing the glue ....." 101!

[nuglow]

Where did you get the info that 25% has disapeared in the last 2 years? Thanks

[joetann]

A little birdie told me!

Back to "First law of holes ..... when in one, stop digging.! 101

[Din]

I like your posts Joetann.........welcome to TanToday.

You and I will have a lot in common....either we'll be good friends or argue a lot. Either way, it'll be fun.

[joetann]

I shoot to kill .... prisoners cost money.

Back to "Friends are just enemies in disguise"!101

[FIT]

I'd also like to know where your 25% figure came from. Can you provide the link?

[uv2021]

Joetan is a vetran.

[cfindley]

Interesting post, normally i dont type this much, but im up early!
Some points after 5 years of being open........

Brian is right hands down, in fact i think he's a little short, the major chains are spending 300-400k on new build outs and charging 18.88, this you will be competing with.

FIT, its great that you opened how you did, but you have a suprise coming, I did the same as you, bought used stuff, did it all myself, saved tons, BUT.. then found out the old equipment just wasnt bringing them in, and even though the place "looks great" it had the look of weekend warriors. (point being now matter how good you are, commercial carpet is not italian tile!), also found out that i short changed myself with the lack of expansion potential.(thought those 7 rooms were enough to run a business) you will need additional Space, AC, Electrical.
So, 5 years later after starting the way you did (and thinking i was hitting it on the nail head), we have......
Spent the 300k that should have been spent in the first place to do it right the first time, reinvested ALL monies into the business (can we say no paycheck fo 5 years).
Fit, not poking at you (or me) but potential owners that think they can open for say 150K soon find out they either end up spending the right amount of cash to open correctly or fall into the category we all want to avoid which is a so so salon performing at a so so rate wondering why its not better and should i sell.
NUGLOW, your thinking right on you EFTS but...
your projections(500) are based on todays bills, i thought like you did, But 5 Years later the number 500 needs to be 800.
And yes the equipment companies tell you this number grows and grows when they have no idea about the potential number of EFT members in your area. (never seems to be the 500)
We have the unique "opportunity" to take over a failing competitor, normally you would see opportunty, but in reality it would require a complete gutting and start over with new everything. At todays build out price, market price (18.88)and issues the industry as well as the customer base has, i dont think its worth it!
My 2 cents

[joetann]

Yes I am a vetran .... have one eye and no left leg and am growing a third testicle to prove it!

FIT .... you don't know enough people in this industry to learn the truth about this industry. If you did you would understand where the 25% comes from.

All I can tell you is stop looking at the trees cus you are not seeing the forest.

Back to "It's all fun and games .... until you become a vetranarian"!101

[Din]

Joetann, 3rd testicles are overrated. I grew one and found it to be useful for a bit like marbles....but i decided to sell it on ebay. Save yourself the trouble and grow boobs, they are fun.

[FIT]

Findley you make valid points. No arguments there but I don't think you read my post very well.

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BUT.. then found out the old equipment just wasnt bringing them in 


I purchased 6 pieces of equipment to start. 4 are brand new. Used cyclone - a hit so far and used Matrix. There isn't a HP pressure bed within a 50 mile radius of me (probably 150). The "used" Matrix looks brand new and is on fire! Every person who tans in it thinks they've died and gone to heaven. Previously, their best alternative was 10 year old Sontegra Gen-X.

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it had the look of weekend warriors 


It doesn't. I will get pics posted. Just been very busy.

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also found out that i short changed myself with the lack of expansion potential.(thought those 7 rooms were enough to run a business) 


As I said, I built and wired 10 rooms. I only started with 6 beds but will add 4 quickly. I'm picking up another base bed right away. Looks like another Level 3 won't be far behind.

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you will need additional Space, AC, Electrical. 


My electrician disagrees. He's very confident 400A 3 phase is more than enough. If he's wrong I add another panel. Service comes from a pole directly behind me. Pay now / pay then no different. Had 400A 3 phase to start.

Owner won't let me set a unit on the roof which means 5 tons at a time. I have the room in the ceiling. I'll add as I go. 13 tons will handle the whole project. Went ahead and got a quote for Ruud 5 ton ($8900). Housing market has made the HVAC guys super hungry.

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Fit, not poking at you (or me) but potential owners that think they can open for say 150K soon find out they either end up spending the right amount of cash to open correctly or fall into the category we all want to avoid which is a so so salon performing at a so so rate wondering why its not better and should i sell. 


This is acually a pretty successful business model. I was able to open without financing. I've put together a salon that is far superior to my competition and I've positioned myself to grow as my clientele increases. I'm not paying interest on beds 7 - 10 that I may not need right away. If I'm wrong my rooms are ready and I can upgrade HVAC within a week. Beds in two weeks.

Of course I don't know where you are from but I'm sure wherever it is you are right. But in my area I'm the Taj Mahal and people have been thoroughly impressed with the build out and the beds. It's season now and I know it won't last forever but things are going very well with one exception:

I CAN'T FUKN GET MY EPSON PRINTER INSTALLED IN WINDOWS VISTA AND I'M GOING TO LOSE MY MIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[joetann]

Sounds like you've convinced your self!

Back to "The sun is shinning, the weather is sweet .... can't belive that in November I'll have nothing to eat"!101

[Brian Oshman]

FIT, Where are you located? Seaford area?

[MARVIN]

Originally Posted by joetann

Sounds like you've convinced your self!

Back to "The sun is shinning, the weather is sweet .... can't belive that in November I'll have nothing to eat"!101

BOL

[FIT]

Fenwick Island