A tanning business offers beauty services that replicate Mother Nature.

A tanning business lets clients go the beach without ever seeing water.

A tanning business is normally opened as a storefront salon.  Though there are tanning beds operated in homes, it is not typical and not recommended due to health regulations.  The tanning business has certain liabilities concerning client safety, and it is better to operate the tanning business where there is plenty of space and adequate personnel to monitor the tanning bed use.

Defining the Tanning Business

The tanning business is really about much more than just offering people a way to get a tan.  The tanning business is a beauty enhancement business which means your tanning business should cater to your customer needs with this in mind.  You need to purchase equipment and supplies for your tanning business that are safe and effective.  Your tanning business salon should present a stylish, yet sanitary, appearance. 

The tanning business caters to those who desire to get a tan as safely as possible.  As the ozone layer thins, the sun’s rays are getting more and more dangerous.  In addition, many people are too busy to lie outside in lawn chairs or don’t live in climates which are conducive to tanning except in the summer.   Yet a lot of people want tans year round and that means a tanning business can be successful.

How to Get Started

You will have to first find enough space for your tanning business.  At the same time you must have a business license and insurance and a health certificate for your tanning business.  The first equipment and supplies you must have on hand at the opening of your tanning business are the following.

• Tanning bed
• Heat lamps
• Sanitizing equipment
• Washer and dryer
• Towels
• Sunscreens
• After tanning lotions
• Miscellaneous supplies such as eye protector pads
• Office supplies
• Office equipment such as a cash register
• Bookkeeping software

As you can see it will take a sizable initial capital outlay to start a tanning business.  But you can seek a business loan for your tanning business once you have developed a business and marketing plan and know where you want to open your tanning business.  It’s important to buy a high quality tanning bed for your tanning business.

Finding Your Customers

Finding customers for your tanning business will require ongoing advertising expenses.  You can buy expensive advertising in the yellow pages for your tanning business if you can afford it.  But you can also try cheaper advertising venues including classified ads, coupon books and fliers that inform people about your new tanning business while offering special deals to attract new customers.  You should post your fliers for the tanning business in places where typical clients for your tanning business can be found.  These include beauty shops, beach clothing retailers, fitness clubs and beauty supply retailers.

There are many tanning salons open for business already, but as more and more people find they don’t have time to get a sun tan outdoors, there is plenty of opportunity still available for your tanning business. 

Ongoing Expenses

There will be ongoing expenses in your tanning business.  It is difficult to operate a tanning business without staff unless you are operating one tanning bed in a home based business.  A tanning business requires a receptionist to greet customers and schedule appointments and a person who monitors and cleans the tanning beds.  The time customers are allowed to stay in the tanning bed must be limited for safety reasons.

• Advertising expenses
• Tanning bed and heat lamp bulbs
• Lotions
• Tanning bed disinfectants
• Electricity
• Space Rental
• Payroll expenses
• Office expenses

The tanning business offers opportunity for success as long as you have enough initial capital to purchase the necessary equipment.  In addition, you will need to invest heavily in advertising for your tanning business at first until the residents learn your tanning business is open and ready to help everyone interested get that sunless tan.

See Also: How to Start A Business : Business Idea of The Day

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