The TanWall Blog

Tanning salon businesses across the nation will feel the effects of the new health care insurance bill as early as July 1, 2010. Indoor tanning salon patrons will soon be charged a 10% tax to help fund the $940 billion health care overhaul.

President Barak Obama signed the new law into effect only yesterday, marking a pivotal, and surely controversial, moment in our present history. The controversy is mainly fueled by unclear, and seemingly miscalculated—or at least under-estimated—budget cuts and tax increases; not to mention measures to impose insurance coverage on those who choose not to carry any, the banning of insurance companies to deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions, the banning of insurance companies to drop coverage of an individual due to severe illness, and banning limits on lifetime or annual benefits. Read more…

The Venture:
Michael Loomis began working on a business plan for a new tanning salon, soon to-be- called Tantations. As a first-time salon owner, Michael wanted an easy, efficient, and cost effective solution for his build-out needs.

The Challenge:
Tantations needed to be more then just a one-store-wonder. Michael wanted a build solution that was so cost effective he could see himself expanding his business from one salon to a multi-location operation. Conventional construction methods for his rooms and walls just wouldn’t cut it, once he considered time and money. So Michael started exploring the possibility of using a modular wall system instead. And that’s when TanWall came into the picture about 6 months ago, when Michael approached us to consider the construction of a healthy number of rooms for his brand new tanning salon.

The Solution:
TanWall’s Modular Wall System was exactly what Tantations needed. TanWall proved to be faster, easier and less messy then other construction methods. After some careful and thorough research, Michael soon discovered that TanWall’s system provided the flexibility, efficiency, and cost effectiveness in order to expand and develop Tantations into a competitive brand.

“I chose [TanWall’s Moduar Wall System]…” Michael explained, “…because they look amazing, pave the way for possible franchise opportunities and save money as you do not have the added expense of a contractor, building permits, or [missing] your deadline due to construction delays.” He went on to finish by saying, “Overall, TanWalls are one of the smartest investments you can make when building a salon!”

For Tantations, Michael chose Rosewood TanWalls with Bronze framing and stained the doors an upscale color to compliment the Rosewood walls. Michaels order, from approved to layout to manufacturing, took 2-3 weeks.

The Conclusion:
We can’t argue with Michael. TanWall’s Modular Wall System is the best investment you can make into your tanning salon.

Kristina Admire, National TanWall Design Manager, had this to add, “I hope many more entrepreneurs in the tanning industry may come to see TanWall as a simple way to build out a salon that creates a brand image along with a fast and repeatable process for future stores.” She also had this to say to Michael of Tantations, “I was so happy and excited to help you develop Tantations. I wish you all the best and look forward to seeing the growth of your business and brand.”

iTAN Solarium is a rapidly growing tanning franchise that is poised to take the lead in the Southern California tanning market. With headquarters in San Diego, California, iTAN Solarium is successfully catering to a growing group of happy clientele while expanding to keep up with rising demand.

iTAN Solarium is a first class industry model distinguished by its core competencies: skilled and knowledgeable staff, exceptional product, and luxurious, upscale look. iTAN Solarium holds its salons to the highest standards of cleanliness, professionalism, and technological advances – including the most elite beds in the industry. Each iTAN location offers fit body wraps, teeth whitening, and hydration therapy/photo facials to meet the diverse needs of its discerning customers.

iTan’s growth and expansion plan necessitates a solid and consistent construction method. iTAN Solarium uses a modular wall system manufactured by TanWall to create each private room. This system utilizes colors custom matched by TanWall that are available exclusively to iTAN franchisees. This repeatable, reliable construction process – and its stunning final result! – is fundamental to the success of the iTAN Solarium franchise.

If you are interested in exploring franchise information, please visit www.itansolariums.com. 

Over the past month I have visited dozens of salons, some of which are busy during all business hours and others who are struggling drive more traffic in. The biggest differences I noticed between these two types of salons are cleanliness and a sense of order. Cleanliness is not just cleaning beds between customers. Having an overall clean and orderly appearance creates comfort and security for your consumer.

Having your front reception area clean is the first thing that your consumer notices. It’s important to not have stacks of paper, food, or any other clutter on the front counter. Regularly-emptied trash cans, clean seats, and clean floors are just the beginning.

Your receptionist or other employees eating at the front reception counter or even bringing food into the salon is an extreme no-no. It’s understandable that people have to eat, but the front desk of your salon is not the place to do it. I’ve walked into a salon that smelled like McDonald’s. It’s great if all of your customers like the smell of McDonald’s, but I can guess they don’t like that smell at their local salon.

Your employees’ attire should be consistent and be branded with your salon name. I have visited many salons that let their employees wear what’s comfortable for them and not what’s best for the business. Having a presentable staff who exhibit professionalism is extremely important. As an employer you have the right and responsibility to dictate what your employees look like and wear. Remember that the reception area is where customers create their first impressions.

If you don’t have enough business, start with the simple things first. Have a regimented schedule of cleaning activities for your staff and don’t eat in the salon. Have your staff dress professionally and brand your company always. There is nothing more important than your customers!

Some salon owners we speak to are having a hard time driving additional traffic to their business.  I would like to share with you some ideas to increase the amount of revenue and customers to your salon.

There are several simple ways to drive additional traffic to your salon with little or no money.  In an earlier topic I spoke about understanding your market place.  There are a few ideas that you could push in your community to drive traffic and help the community.

Every community has a college of some sort or another.  All of them are looking for revenue streams to help them gain more money for their schools. First I would like to touch on a school that has a sports program.  If the schools have sports program they may also have a cheerleading squad, booster program, volleyball team, gymnastics program or other ancillary programs to their school. 

You could print coupon books right from your computer and revive them to each of these programs to sell.  In return you would pay them for each coupon sold. In addition, the top producer in sales of these coupons could receive $500.00 toward scholarship money or even an annual pass to your salon for free.

In doing this, there are several angles you can leverage in the media.  The first one would be the school newspaper.  Invite the school newspaper over to interview you on the new program.  This would provide exposure to you and your salon for free. The next step would be a local newspaper, TV station and other news organizations that you have in your town.  When you provide scholarship money for students or even an annual pass it will drive the sales.

Let’s walk through the math real quick.  If you normally charge $40 per month for monthly contract, you would be selling an annual contract for $480 per year. Therefore, you could give the school $5 for each month sold. If they sold an annual subscription they would receive $60.  That is big money for school and if they sold 200 annual subscriptions they would make $12,000 and you would make $84,000.00 in revenue.

In addition to schools, there are many other organizations that could benefit by selling your services to help them make money for themselves and you making even more money. There are some organizations such as Churches, Shiners, Glee clubs, marching bands, Country Clubs, and hundreds of other non profit organizations that could benefit.

During the holiday season, your salon could donate a toy to the toys for tots program for every annual contract in their name. People love to donate and that could provide you the edge to get new customers into your salon.

Remember, there are a million ways to drive business to your salon. The only thing holding you back is execution. That’s it….