Thursday, August 23, 2007

The Right Way To Start A Tanning Salon

If started and operated correctly a tanning salon can be a
very profitable and rewarding business. Although these are
becoming more common there is still plenty of room for
successful salons provided the business is ran correctly.

Just as when starting any business, a tanning salon can be
a difficult if you don't plan correctly. The first step is
creating a business plan. This will detail every aspect
from the marketing of your business infrastructure. If
financing is required for your salon the business plan will
have to be a very convincing path to success to minimize
the risk for your lenders. Depending on whether you decide
on the path of a franchise or start an independent tanning
business will be your choice. Franchises offer many
benefits but also can cost a great deal more to start.
Advantages of a franchise often include a set business
plan, advertising, product distribution discounts, and
shared clientele. Disadvantages can include cost and not
having the ability to run exactly things the way you want
to as business guidelines are often included with
franchising agreements. With the right research and a
solid business plan it is very common for an enterpernuer
to be able to succeed in this business on their own.

After you have your business plan prepared you will want to
find a cost effective location. In this business, it will
be best to find a visible spot within a small shopping
plaza in a mid to upscale neighborhood. By finding a
location in a plaza you will take advantage of the walking
and driving traffic that the surrounding businesses
currently have. You will also want to make sure that
people in the area can afford the luxuries of tanning and
that the building lease is affordable enough where you can
keep the tanning rates low while maintaining a reasonable
margin on your products and services. Local competition
must also be considered. Unless you plan on greatly
undercutting another salon in your area you will want to
make sure that there isn't any competition within at least
a square mile of your location. Undercutting is not
recommended do to the stress it will place on your margins
and should only be done if in competition with another
salon or done during promotional periods.

The products you carry are also a very important aspect of
your business. Tanning lotions, beverages, and other
products you decide on often carry a high margin and are
can be sold with ease to most customers. These items
should be easily seen with recommendations based on what
results the customers should expect. It also helps to have
a staff that is trained on such items.

It is also important to consider the environment. If you
make sure your customers experience one to remember they
will be sure to come back. Professional service and a
convenient layout will win them over. Be sure to have a
cozy waiting are for when the tanning rooms are full with a
variety of magazines to read and perhaps a TV. People
tanning often enjoy listening to their own music as lying
in a bed for ten to twenty minutes can often be boring.
Such small investments can improve customer's satisfaction
and improve the rate of returning customers.

People who look good feel good and having a nice tan surely
can improve anyone's looks. With a solid business
structure and high margin products and services it is very
easily for even an inexperienced entrepreneur to fail at
this business.


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Be sure to purchase your tanning beds at
http://www.tanningonline.com . Article written and
distributed by Steve Cancel, IT Manager of Secure Link -
http://www.slwebsolutions.com .

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