How To Start A Tanning Business

How To Start A Tanning Business - Background Info:

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.

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.

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.

How To Start A Tanning Business - Tasks And Skills Needed:

Business Specific Tasks:

If you are planning to do all the business tasks or hiring or subcontracting tasks, here's a list of tasks that need to be attended to when it comes to the business side of running a tanning business:

Bookkeeping

Advertising/promotion

Scheduling

Accounting

Industry Specific Tasks:

Same as above if you plan to do everything yourself or get help, here are some of the tasks necessary to operate a tanning business:

Help clients prepare for tanning sessions

Instruct clients as to proper after-care after a session

Clean all rooms and disinfect all tanning equipment

Order tanning supplies and equipment

How To Start A Tanning Business - Approximate Daily Hours Needed:

General Hours of Operation: - When your business is open - Typically, tanning salons are open 7 days a week and after normal business hours.

Hours Needed to Prepare - Before Opening and After Hours Activities - Make sure all rooms and equipment are clean, check inventory of tanning supplies, order supplies, advertising/marketing, return phone calls and schedule.

Number of Employees Needed To Run This Business:

Minimum Number of Employees -During the Start Up Phase: You can start this business yourself on a full-time basis.

Number of Employees - Once Your Business is Up and Running Successfully:

Website maintenance

Record/Bookkeeping

General office

Customer Service

Skill Requirements for This Business:

Great people skills

Sales experience

Hospitality industry background helpful

Attention to detail with cleanliness a must

Knowledgeable about the UV tanning industry

Licenses:

You must have a business license and insurance and a health certificate for your tanning business.

In addition, check for any local or federal regulations that govern a new tanning salon. Some states have specific regulations listed at the Chamber of Commerce websites or with local business information websites.

Approximate Minimum Start up Cost:

Bare essential: - 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.

Minimal exposure - Advertise your tanning salon business before you open the doors. Place your phone number and ad in the yellow pages, advertise on flyers, billboards and local radio stations.

Necessary Equipment to Run this Business:

Necessary Start-Up Equipment & Supplies:

Computer

Printer

Cell phone

Website

Tanning bed

Heat lamps

Sanitizing equipment

Washer and dryer

Towels

Sunscreens

After tanning lotions

Protective glasses

Miscellaneous supplies such as eye protector pads

Office supplies

Office equipment such as a cash register

Bookkeeping software

Supplementary Equipment: - Equipment or helpful products that you can acquire to once your business is off and running:

Additional and new tanning products and equipment

Stereo systems for each room

Cold and hot beverages

Sample tanning oils, creams, and aftercare lotions

Tanning Bed

Monthly Expenses To Consider:

Wages
Phone/cell phone
Internet access
Permits
Advertising/Marketing
Electricity
Water
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

Special Requirements and Considerations For This Business:

Find out all you can about the trends in the industry. Know your competition, in particular, their strengths and weaknesses. This will help you identify your competitive advantage. In other words, this will help you figure out what you can give your customers that they're not getting from the other businesses. And keep from emulating the competition's strategy. Instead, make the most of your own advantage points.
Visit many local tanning salons and take note of how they operate. Write down things you like or dislike about the business. See what kind of competition you will be up against.
People tend to visit the ones right where they live. Looked at from that point of view, you don't necessarily want to be in the business district. Where you want to be is next-door to your customers.
Good thing about this business is you can set up your tanning service anywhere, including your home or at your client's place (mobile tanning service).
The conventional idea of a tanning salon—electric beds irradiating clients with ultraviolet light—isn't technically impossible to set up at your house. Tanning beds and stand-up tanning booths are sold for home use, after all.

Pros And Cons of Opening A Tanning Business:

The Pros of Running a Tanning Business:

It's affordable for many people---and therefore, lucrative

You get to meet people in your community in a fun environment

This business can be easily expanded to include beauty products and treatments

The Cons of Running a Tanning Business:

You may pay higher insurance premiums

Some clients can get adverse effects from UV rays

This business needs to be open more hours than most other businesses to be successful

Type of Customers You Need to Attract:

Woman on A Tanning Bed

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.

Tanning Business Statistics:

If you've noticed the trend of salons on every corner and tanning services in every coupon book, you'll find it no surprise to hear that the beauty industry is as healthy as it's ever been. More than 12,000 spa locations across the United States generate total revenue of $11.2 billion. That number is poised to grow as more people, especially men, discover the joys of pampering themselves and looking good.

Revenue:

A typical salon with 8 tanning beds can expect to gross $200,000 per year. That can equal $60,000-65,000 net in your pocket!

Tanning Business Resources:

Industry-Specific Websites:

InSun, Inc.

ETS Tan

Tanning News

Equipment and Supplies:

Master Tanning

All Tanning Beds

Forums:

Tan Talk

Tan Today

Franchises:

Tanning Salon Franchises - Listings

Associations:

ARTS

Smart Tan

Tanning News

Books:

The 7 Top Reasons New Tanning Salon Owners Get BURNED!

Tanning Books on Amazon

Other:

Style Career

Businesses To Related to a Tanning Business:

Beauty supply
Nail salon
Cosmetology
Retail clothing sales