TanToday thanks SMU Consulting for another year of sponsorship

[Alan @ TanToday]

Services Provided by SMU Consulting & Equipment Sales

Opening a successful tanning center requires more than leasing a space and filling it with equipment. The fact is that there are many steps that must be taken before you should think about your equipment purchase. My services will take the fear out of opening a tanning center and lead you through the process step by step. After 27 years of experience in the tanning industry, I have developed the formula that will give you the key to open the door to a successful tanning center. My services are free to my clients.

Business Plan Development Assistance

One of the most important elements of opening a business or requesting funding for a new business is a comprehensive business plan. In order to create a business plan you must have a complete understanding of the type of business you plan to open. A good business plan is more than development cost and spread sheets. You must have a clear understanding and strategic plan as to how a successful business will be operated. After 27 years in the tanning industry I have developed hundreds of business plans utilizing the proven techniques of the Tanning Today marketing program. Business plan development is one of the many services that are available to my clients at no cost.

Income Projections

It is important to have realistic income projections when evaluating locations and writing business plans. I have developed an accurate formula for creating income projections based on industry trends and statistics combined with the demographics and equipment mix of your salon.

Site Evaluations

The location of your business can be the difference between success and failure in the tanning industry. There are many things to look for when choosing a tanning salon location that you would not be aware of unless you have owned a successful salon before. It is my job to insure proper evaluation of a desired location.

Demographics & Demographic Evaluation

Many important decisions are made based on demographics. Your business plan, income projections and future growth are based on demographics. My custom designed tanning salon demographic reports are provided by Demographics Now, the most comprehensive demographic source in the US. My demographic evaluation is based on industry statistics, and is a valuable tool in the development of your new salon.

Floor Plan Design & Build-Out Specifications

In order to properly evaluate a potential location or to maximize the effectiveness of a selected location, you must have a floor plan. I will create a floor plan design and build-out specifications based on your particular needs. Having a floor plan in the early stages makes it easier to negotiate a lease and get accurate build-out bids.

Lease Negotiations

There is an art to negotiating a lease. I can save you thousands of dollars over the term of your lease and get you maximum build-out allowance. The money you save on your lease can be used in other areas of your business development.

Tanning Today Marketing Program

My marketing program is the most successful program in the tanning industry today. Salons using my proven methods of marketing are among the top 2% of income producing salons in the industry. Now you have the opportunity of being the most successful salon in your area.

Tanning Center Guide

The success of your salon can also be connected to the level of organization of your business. My Tanning Center Guide provides you with a tool that will give you a clear understanding of what it takes to be a successful tanning salon. This document is the perfect foundation for your employee manual.

Point of Sale Material

I provide you with material that makes it easy to sell your services. These materials are provided on a CD, making it convenient for reprinting.

Advertising Strategies

What and when you advertise is equally important. The in your face method of advertising is crucial to the service industry of tanning. I will guide you through the proper method of advertising while sharing proven promotions and specials that will create the desired salon traffic.

Comprehensive Employee Training Manual

Employee training and consistent transfer of information are crucial to the consistent success of a tanning salon. Our Employee Training manual is the most extensive source of information for training your employees.

Existing Salon Evaluation and Restructuring

If you are interested in purchasing an existing salon or you own a salon that is struggling, it is important to identify the current problems and what is required to create a successful salon in today’s competitive tanning industry. I can assist you with the restructuring of your salon and create a profitable business.

Mr. Underhill can be reached by dialing 888-656-9335 or visiting him on the web at http://www.smuconsulting.com/?tantoday

Alan

PS - Here is what a few of his clients have said about his services.

I have used Steve now for over 4 years with my salons. The knowledge that he provides is unbelievable to me. He has made me understand how a business really does work and how trends change year to year. I will still use SMU Consulting as my company continues to grow.

The thing that I like the most about Steve is how he is there always for his clients to assist them in bettering there business. I also, enjoy his friendship as we have met at two of the conventions the past years. Positive people need positive energy and that is what Steve offers.

Sincerely, George Papadopolous - European Tan

Hi Steve:

This is just a letter to express my appreciation for all of your kind assistance in getting my first tanning salon business up and running successfully.

You may not know this yet, but I had been researching the tanning industry and the tanning business model for about 2 years before contacting you. Initially, I was thinking about opening a tanning franchise, but I concluded that the business model was simple and did not warrant a franchisor’s involvement. I also thought that all I needed to open this business was to lease a space in a shopping center, buy some beds, and open the doors. However, as I learned more about the tanning business and became serious about opening a tanning salon, questions I had not considered before began coming up. There are questions such as:

• Which beds to buy?
• Who to buy the lotions from?
• Where to open the salon?
• How to price the packages?
• And many many more…

I found that there is a lot more to opening a tanning salon than I had initially assumed. As a result, I contacted you for assistance.

At first, I was quite apprehensive about our arrangement. However, now that sometime has passed and my business has been open for about 3 months, I have found that you are indeed a man of your word. You have been there for me and held my hand every step of the way and have done everything you said you would do. Your experience in this industry is invaluable. From creating a business plan to finding a demographically suitable location and negotiating a lease to hiring and training employees to marketing assistance, your customer service has been nothing short of excellent. During the process, you have saved me quite a few thousand dollars. In my humble opinion, you provide much more assistance and information than any franchisor does or would.

In conclusion, I sincerely believe that I could not have opened a successful tanning salon without your help. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude. I thank you being an honest and frank tanning business consultant. With your continued assistance, I hope to open many more tanning salons over the years. I am happy to say that I look forward to having a long-term friendship with you.

Sincerely, Haresh Melwani, President - PureSol Tan

Thanks to the ongoing support and visionary marketing program provided by SMU Consulting, SunSity Tan continues to thrive and grow. Before we entered the tanning industry Pam and I realized the importance of working with a professional consultant who could guide us from start to finish, in an industry we knew nothing about to make our first salon a success. As a result after only one year we are working on our second salon that is due to be open in the fall of 2004. Steve always takes the time to share ideas and answer all of our endless questions in a frank and honest manner. As with our first salon, Steve will design all aspects of our second salon - Pam & Lou Schies - SunCity Tan

I would like to personally thank Steve for helping Sienna Tan become a reality. I don’t know where we would be today without his help. His expertise and knowledge of the tanning industry is incredible. Steve’s help with lease negotiations, planning, design, proper equipment mix and marketing plan saved us thousands of dollars and kept us from making several costly mistakes. I will recommend SMU Consulting and Equipment Sales to anyone who is interested in starting a successful salon - Rick and Julie Grann - Sienna Tan

I would recommend you take Steve Underhill up on his offer. He has a wealth on knowledge about the tanning business. I have spent many hours with Steve and learned a great deal. Listen to what he has to say and follow his lead. Good luck with your new venture - Steve Bovee - Pacific Tan

Dearest Stephen,

My salon has now been open for 60 days and we are the talk of the town! I would not be in this position if it had not been for SMU Consulting! The best way I could summarize how valuable your services are to me is by using a well known commercial:

Tanning Equipment: $108,000.00
Buildout Expense: $50,000.00
Other Expense: $25,000.00
Stephen Underhill’s Consulting: PRICELESS

Without your services, it would not have mattered how much or how little I would have spent on everything else to start up the tanning salon as I would not have had the vital information that is necessary to make it a success.

As you know, I attempted to obtain an SBA loan for a tanning salon a few years ago and was turned down by three banks. Two years later, after hiring your consulting firm and following your advice, I was approved by the first bank that I submitted the business plan to.

There is an overwhelming amount of tanning equipment out there, especially for someone that is new to the industry. Your expertise proved once again to be PRICELESS. Having the right mix of equipment and equipment that is designed to last and is backed by great customer service is invaluable.

I could go on and on about how many hours and dollars your consulting firm has saved me. It is so nice to know that I have a strong, invaluable source standing behind me and my salon. I would have it no other way!

If at anytime, I could be a reference for your company, it would, without a doubt, be my pleasure to recommend your services.
Sincerely,Danita Sauerwein - Australian Sands Tanning Resort

WOW!