Tanning salons are popular - especially in the gray winter months. Then the studios are full of sun-seekers who want to do something for their tanned complexion. After all, tanned skin is a beautiful idea not only in summer, but especially in the dull season when everyone looks pale anyway. So the chances of setting up your own tanning sal on are good - there are plenty of customers! Find out from us everything you need to know if you want to open a tanning salon!
Opening a tanning salon: Requirements
To open a tanning salon, you don't actually need any special prerequisites. As the owner of such a studio, you operate a free trade, which you must register with the relevant office - and you're ready to go. It is advisable to obtain a business facility permit before you open a tanning salon. This is a legal protection insurance in case someone (e.g. neighbors) complains about your studio. You can also get this permit from the relevant trade office. There are also various legislations to consider if you want to open a solarium. In addition to the hygiene ordinance of your federal state, the UV protection ordinance (Solarienverordnung) and the solarium standard play an important role. If you use UV irradiation equipment in your tanning salon, it must meet the technical requirements of the solarium standard, as it can be harmful to the human body. You can prove this by an officially recognized certificate. When buying the equipment, make sure that the sunbeds have a type number and clearly visible danger signs. These danger signs must also be hung in each room of your studio so that they can be easily seen by customers. In fact, it is mandatory to inform them about the risks of visiting a solarium. Because customer safety and health are paramount, it is a legal requirement that at least one trained tanning salon professional be present in the tanning salon at all times. It's best to take a training course to become a "specialist in the use of UV irradiation equipment" before you open your own tanning salon.
Open a tanning salon - all information about your tanning salon
Open a tanning salon
Open a tanning salon as part of a franchise
You can either open a tanning salon independently or as a franchise. There are several franchisors in the tanning salon industry, including SUNPOINT or AYK SonnenStudio, whose established business models allow you to start your own business. This will also help you avoid meeting competition at your location.
Eyes on the choice of location
Before you open a tanning salon, you should think carefully about where you will open your studio. Worthwhile locations are of course always where there are not yet many tanning salons. If, on the other hand, one studio follows the other, you will have to do something special to distinguish yourself from the competition. The choice of the right location is therefore the be-all and end-all if you want to open a solarium.
Stand out from the competition
As a founder, you can do nothing against competition. That's why it's even more important to stand out from other studios with your offer and have a clear unique selling proposition . A tanning salon should convey a feeling of summer, especially when people visit it in the gray, cold winter. So create as summery an atmosphere and beach feeling as possible in your studio. To do this, you can, for example, pile up sand and set up deck chairs. With palm trees and other summery decorations, you can bring the summer directly to your studio and inspire your customers. Another possibility would be additional offers. Why not sell sunscreen or give away matching samples? You can also lure customers to your studio with discount promotions. Find out what other products are available for sun protection and sunbathing . Maybe you have room in your studio for one or two additional offers.
Open a solarium: Costs
If you want to open a tanning salon, you need to plan for about 100,000 euros as a start-up sum, which you can raise either with start-up grants or personal loans . Also keep in mind that the cost of electricity in a tanning salon is higher than in other businesses.
Costs that you will incur include:
- Start-up costs such as self-employment advice, documents, proofs, registrations.
- Equipment such as tanning beds, reception, toilets, etc.
- possibly conversion costs, if you want to take over an existing tanning salon
- Training costs
- Costs for advertising
- running costs like rent, operating costs, insurances, maintenance, fiscal charges, personnel
- Especially for the equipment you should compare prices to save costs when opening a tanning salon. For example, it is also possible to lease the tanning beds or buy used. Take a look at fitnessmarkt.de, the largest marketplace for new and used fitness and therapy equipment! There you will also find many sunbeds!
As with any type of business, when opening a tanning salon, it is important that you create a business plan beforehand. You can find more info on this at Business Plan Gym!
Seasonal fluctuations possible
If you want to open a tanning salon, also realize that sales in this business can fluctuate a lot seasonally. In the uncomfortable and dark winter months, sales are very good, while in the summer, however, it is often different. Because that's when most people prefer the real sun and are less likely to be found in the solarium. Therefore, you should make sure to build up reserves, especially in the good months, so that you can make ends meet even in the less profitable times.
Find your right tanning salon now!
Editors fitnessmarkt.de (EA)
Photo credit: #99722075-YakobchukOlena-StockAdobe
Published on: 27 August 2019