[toxix]

I was considering opening a Tanning Salon in my community. Can someone give me some information such as:

Best/Good/Worst Tanning Beds
Tips on Atmosphere

Hmm anything else? That's all I can think of for now. I would assume that tanning salons pull in more during the fall/winter parts of the year.

[Jeff]

You might want to consider putting in an oxygen bar if you do open a tanning salon, I hear it is a nice income booster.

here is a website that could supply you, I am sure there are a lot more. www.oxygenexperience.com

[mpnetwork]

Hey toxix

With regards to the oxygen bar, check the demand first. In a more urban centre it could be great, but at the tanning salon I used to work most people would not have been interested.

Definitely busier during the fall/winter months.

Get into a trendy location, location is KEY. It can be a very competitive industry because start-up costs are so low.

Cleanliness is next to godliness. Let them watch you clean the beds, have clean facilities, explain how everything works (what is in the cleaning solution, etc.)

Make staff safety a number one priority. There were some strange people who harassed the staff where I worked (since they were mostly tanned and attractive).

Offer products such as lotions and oils, even bathing suits, and offer commission to your front desk staff.

Where I worked it would be very busy 20% of the time, and very slow the other 80% (and I worked during the fall/winter). If you can find something to do that will make some money during this down time (I dont know, have your front desk staff do telemarketing ).

There is definitely a market for tanning products that are healthier than tanning beds. The reaction to the spray-on tan was less than ecstatic (the results were not that good, and it came off in patches), however there are now some really good lotions. Who knows, there may be other professional products that you could make some money on.

[mpnetwork]

One other thing I should point out:

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/tanning.html

Contrary to what the industry might tell you, indoor tanning is not good for your health (and whether it is healthier compared to tanning outdoors is debatable as well).

Back to my point of finding a healthy, attractive sunless tanning solution.