lurked long enough

[vanztan]

I thought after being on this site for the last five months reading a few hours a night I would post and introduce myself. I'm a newbie that will be opening a salon in August. So, I am hoping I can ask those questions that seem to come up and searches don't answer. As for the details for those who like to know the line up:
New strip mall across from a brand new high school, middle school, grade school, very high end homes and gated communities close with subdivision right next store that contains 600 new homes. Only one other salon in the town and it is a bit on the cheesy dirty side. My salon will have ten beds to start..mixture of tan america, kbl and megasun. No spray to start. 2400 square feet so room to grow. Negotiated my lease to have them pay for bringing in 800 amps. 12 tons of cooling. Business plan written with loan, angel investor, and five years of income moved into a money market account. I have my merchant services ready, insurance i am getting quotes. Put an umbrella policy on my homeowners today...oh there is so much more as you all know, just don't want to keep listing.
So all in all, wanted to step into the ring and say hello after gleaning so much info from all of you.

[Brian Oshman]

Welcome.

[northtanman]

welcome...give thought to sunless...high schoolers use my mystic alot before proms, homecoming, dances, etc...

[brownsuze]

lurkin rox

[vanztan]

I have a room dedicated to sunless with plumbing. I also have a room waiting for a HP, up front a bit bigger for some appeal. I just don't want to make a mistake with my choices on those two, a lot of money to not give it the utmost diligence in my research.
Thank you

[sunsally]

Welcome!

Interesting mix of equipment - what made you select Tan America, KBL and Megasun? Which units are you using from each of those companies?

[solman]

Welcome. Sounds like you're doing a lot of things right. I'd suggest you make a decision on sunless prior to opening and have it from the get-go.

[northtanman]

there was a good deal on a mystic blue box here...6k i think...great price for good used. now, i do have a mystic myself, but hear the newer versaspa is better...do you have competition already in the sunless catagorie? if none, mystic will prove to work. has better name regognition.(sp)
having a nice up front room for expanding into HP smart!!! double doors to show it off when not in use works great too!!

[northtanman]

uvrays has the mystic for sale...

[vanztan]

yes that is what i was hoping for, to find one used..the other salon does not have one so that will be good..and i do know the kids and adults love to get this right before a big event..even the ones that are already tanning on a regular basis...thanks for the places to look..i will check out now.

[vanztan]

As far as my mixture..i know that levels vary from salon to salon and there is not a standard...meaning one salon's level one or two could be different from another..i only say that because my daughter and myself have spent months tanning in every salon in this area that we could find. We've counted bulbs..i've put on my reading glasses and looked at wattage! Then I contacted..via web or phone several dist. and poured over brochures and catalogs. I also kept in mind the salons that had bad beds or beds down. I read here about the workhorses and other opinions and then developed my levels that would be what the public likes to have and tried to find beds that fit that but might be a little better. I hope this makes sense! btw..the sunless is not taken over here in this area of northern il so it would be great to do that...and only a small amount have HP.

[Din]

Welcome to Tantoday. it sounds like you have your stuff together, planned out, strategy of attack and money to back you. You will be a success...just don't expect millions. It takes time.

Good luck and keep us updated on the buildout. Post some pics as it progresses. it gets everyone all gitty to remember their buildout.

[dcjjp1]

I was going to say the same as Din, but keep in mind even with Angel investor, make sure they understand that a clientel service business is a building process and it takes time.

[Mojave Tan]

Congratulations! You are well on your way and it sounds like you are set up for success.

[vanztan]

my investor is my old boss who has bought and sold businesses over the last thirty years and sold the last one i worked at thus leaving me out of work. He happened to be the one who approached me opening a biz..he looked into so many small businesses..from a ben and jerry's to sylvan learning centers! we sat down talked and he is the one that emphasized that it takes a few years to get up and going so we had a lawyer draw up a very lenient contract for me. He is also an electrical engineer so this has been very helpful in that department. I am pragmatic and a realist..i do hope for success but i have seen a very hard life and can live on very little..the only difference is i am having a hand in my fate for the first time!

[Tanning Queen]

Sounds like you have things in order and are realistic about your potential! Good for you!

Keep us posted and let us know if you have questions. We are here to help.

[vanztan]

Thank you all...today has been getting my insurance locked down, sign company contacted, filling out the paperwork for IL dept. of Public Health and making some calls for lotion distributors. I do know that I like developing good relationships with those I work with so it is important to have a good distributor. I've searched the site for opinions and good contacts. I feel like I know some of you that post on a frequent basis...even though it is just words...personalities do come through!

[Brian Oshman]

Man, I like this guy. Good luck and don't be afraid to ask. Take notes newbies, this is how you approach your goals.

[mule14]

Originally Posted by Brian Oshman

Man, I like this guy. Good luck and don't be afraid to ask. Take notes newbies, this is how you approach your goals.

Damn right... when you've done your homework properley you'll get respect, doesn't matter if people don't agree with your bed mix etc.

My salon is in a similar type community by the sounds. Sunless is huge for us. I love your attitude toward it though, make sure you don't make any mistakes because once you've pissed off a sunless client they'll never be back... for anything, especially in your community.

I've read Din has a great contact for sunless, I use St Tropez and its the best I've ever come across.

Don't cheapen your salon and community by cupping lotions... (pet hate of mine).

[vanztan]

Well, I will take the atta boy quite nicely...except i am a female..but no prob...raised three kids on my own and i got a fathers day card yesterday so I guess i could be multi purpose! I've done some PMing to some others on here with the sunless for sale. I agree that it would be a boon to the business..already been asked if i was going to have one. I agree about the lotion..don't like the little cups for myself but thats me. I will ask questions here for sure but not before i do some homework. The one thing i don't like is when people ask questions and expect you all to do their legwork. Creates too many redundant posts that others need to weed through.