How to Open a Tanning Salon Business

Opening a tanning salon can bring you profits.

With so many people shunning the sun for indoor tanning salons for that year-round sun-kissed look, tanning salons have become increasingly popular. But tanning is not just for taut and toned celebrities and pseudo celebs. You can catch some rays and cash by opening your own tanning salon.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Lay out your business plan, focusing on key elements such as target market and location. Find an excellent location in an area such as a strip mall to capitalize on foot and motor traffic. This will be one of the key factors for a successful tanning business. Opening your tanning salon in a high traffic area will make it is easier for customers to access your business and you will be able to generate higher revenue.

2. Find the best equipment. After you have decided on the location of your tanning salon, research the different types and brands of indoor tanning equipment available and choose the ones that are in highest demand in your area. The three main types of indoor tanning equipment that you will need are: spray tan booths, UV beds and air-brush spray tanning kits. Offer a variety of equipment and services so your customers will keep coming back.

3. Get training so you understand the tanning process. Research organizations such as the National Tanning Training Institute, www.tanningtraining.com, or the Indoor Tanning Association, www.theita.com, to learn about certification and how tanning works so that you will be able to educate and inform your customers.

4. Price your services. Once you have chosen your location and equipment you will need, you then have to figure out what prices you will be charging for your services. In order to come up with this figure, you will need to consider the cost of running the store, the equipment costs, utilities, advertising, staffing and other costs associated with running the tanning salon on a day to day basis. Estimate how many customers you will serve on a daily basis. You need to set a price that will cover your daily costs of operating the business and generate a desirable profit.

5. Hire employees. You will need to ensure that you have staff for all of the hours you will be open, particularly peak times. You also need to know what you will expect to pay them per hour and how much profit you should be able to generate. Check the references of prospective employees and do proper background checks in order to hire the best available people who will represent your business well.

References

• Entrepreneur.com: Business Idea Center: Tanning Salon

Resources

• ITA: Indoor Tanning Association
• The National Tanning Training Institute