Small tanning salon start up information?

[barbarita]

Hey guys, me and my partner are going to start a new small sunbed business. I thought id post here and see if you guys can maybe share some information and experience with me?

The business would be completely financed by credit initialy, we plan to start of with 4 sunbed, 2 vertical and 2 horizontal beds, with a possibility of a spray tan booth.

We also plan to provide manicure/pedicure and other basic beauty treatments, as I am a beauty therapist.

What is your opinion on renting, profit share on sunbeds for a starting salon?

Apart from the obvious start up costs, and general expenditures are there any not so obvious fees, services, costs?

Although a lot of people tan religously, what other avenues of profit can this type of business take in the slow seasons?

What kind of insurance costs are involved with this type of businness? I know its dependant on a lot of factors, but a general idea?

What is a reasonable sunbed usage in a 12 Hour day for a small salon of this size on a high street? e.g 3/4 Hours/day?

Anyone know any spreadsheets to help me get my head around the figures?

Any tips you guys can give me for starting up a business and making it suceed?

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

I appreciate any information you guys can give me, I value your expertise and experience!

Barbara

 

[number1kitty]

Hope this helps! x

Hey guys, me and my partner are going to start a new small sunbed business. I thought id post here and see if you guys can maybe share some information and experience with me?

The business would be completely financed by credit initialy, we plan to start of with 4 sunbed, 2 vertical and 2 horizontal beds, with a possibility of a spray tan booth.

Please be careful setting up this kind of business on the never never. Sunbeds whilst still popular are not as popular or profitable as they once were. People are using them less if at all. Thats not to say they still don't have fans! However buying this sort of equipment outright would be a sinking ship I would think. Also with so many salons undercutting each other again its all about the profit. I would suggest that profit share providing you are not tied in to a long contract will be better. Should Sunbeds become licensed etc or prove to be a failure altogether you can return them and use the room for other things. Like Spray Tanning!

We also plan to provide manicure/pedicure and other basic beauty treatments, as I am a beauty therapist.

What is your opinion on renting, profit share on sunbeds for a starting salon?

I would do this to test the water and see how busy I would get beofr buying them outright or leasing them!

Apart from the obvious start up costs, and general expenditures are there any not so obvious fees, services, costs?

Business rates, Insurance, Licenses (for beauty and only in certain areas), All relevant licenses for playing music, Accountant & Bank Fees, Cleaning, PDQ Charges, Advertising, Window Cleaners, Point of Sale.

Although a lot of people tan religously, what other avenues of profit can this type of business take in the slow seasons?

Teeth Whitening, Injectable Fillers, Spray Tanning, Beauty Therapy.

What kind of insurance costs are involved with this type of businness? I know its dependant on a lot of factors, but a general idea?

For a beauty shop alone £300-£600 for a tanning salon much much more in relation to the recent storys. Call an Insurance company like ABT or Salon Gold and I am sure they will quote you. Insurance has many Variables from bed wattage to the area you live and the security features fitted in the shop.

What is a reasonable sunbed usage in a 12 Hour day for a small salon of this size on a high street? e.g 3/4 Hours/day?

Depends on competitors, your pricing, season, weather, quality of your beds/tubes, stories in the press etc. No body can say how much business you will get through your door otherwise there would be no failed businesses!! I would say take the maximum time that the beds could be used for which appears to be 2 people every hour to allow for beds to cool, and an average of the maximum minutes per bed and then use percentages that would be airing on the side of caution. I.E 30% of this figure. If its still profitable then you may be OK.

Anyone know any spreadsheets to help me get my head around the figures?

Business link or local banks have cash flow charts and business plan templates you can use.

Any tips you guys can give me for starting up a business and making it suceed?

Keep your head screwed on, be prepared for a lot of bad days before the sun shines and remember if you fail to plan you plan to fail!

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

I appreciate any information you guys can give me, I value your expertise and experience!

Barbara

Kate xxxx