The tanning salon business is a very profitable sector. Entrepreneurs who want to start a business can easily set up their own business with the help of this guide.
These are centers that allow you to tan quickly using a combination of ultraviolet and UVA rays. Opening a tanning salon is among the most profitable business ideas. Those who do this business earn income with high profit margins. However, it is difficult to find much information about this sector on the internet. It is generally a sector that is covered with superficial information. In this article, I have created a detailed guide for those who want to open a tanning salon. I will share all the details such as opening a tanning center, the cost of opening a tanning center, and machine prices .
Firstly, tanning salons are usually located within gyms, beauty centers, and spas. Some companies have become established brands by offering only tanning services. Businesses in this sector, particularly in cities like Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, and Antalya, earn high incomes. With prices starting from 60 TL for a 10-minute session, your only costs in this sector will be energy and rent.
Solarium devices are divided into two categories: horizontal and vertical. These machines vary depending on the type of use and customer preference. It’s said that UVA rays from horizontal machines reach all areas of the body. Of course, this isn’t important for entrepreneurs who want to open a solarium salon. If you want to make money in the solarium industry, you need to buy both types of machines. Now let’s detail the process of opening a solarium salon .
Headings
Opening a Tanning Salon
First of all, you need a significant amount of capital to establish yourself in this sector. Prices for new tanning machines start at 80,000 TL, while used ones are around 30,000 TL. It’s possible to find them at more affordable prices, but buying used equipment is not recommended if you’re opening such a business. The difference in technology creates huge differences in service quality. Therefore, you should expect to invest at least 300,000 TL to open a tanning salon .
So where should you open a tanning salon ? You should open these types of salons in neighborhoods that are both densely populated and inhabited by middle-income groups. For example, in Istanbul, tanning centers do very well in areas with a high concentration of residential complexes, such as Beylikdüzü and Ataşehir. You can even find these devices in many beauty centers. Of course, many people prefer to go to places that specialize in tanning services rather than beauty centers.
Purchasing these devices and designing your business decor are the two most important steps to get started. But how do you find customers? Advertising is a very broad field. Many factors are important, including internet advertising, brochures, and shop signage. Of course, the most effective is customer word-of-mouth. If you look at Google reviews, you can see how much customers pay attention to them. Or you can read reviews on complaint websites.
Another, and perhaps the most important, aspect is the service you provide. Some people will say, “I went to a tanning salon, it didn’t work, I got sores on my face, or freckles started forming.” The most important part of this business is knowledge. If you’re investing 200,000 TL in this sector, you need an expert team and staff. Of course, you should also use quality products, not cheap tanning creams. You need to pay attention to things like tanning goggles and body moisture levels. Providing quality service should be prioritized over customer requests.
You have two options for opening a tanning salon. Either you open one from scratch, or you buy an existing tanning salon. You can check out tanning salons for sale on Sahibinden.com (a Turkish online marketplace). Prices range from 300,000 TL to 1 million TL. Yes, you can make money by buying these businesses. However, if you open a tanning salon from scratch, run it successfully, and then sell it for 1 million TL, you’ll be more profitable. The ultimate goal in business is to create a business that can be converted into cash.
Now let’s move on to the part about how to open a tanning salon.
How to Open a Tanning Salon
- First, you need to determine how much capital you will allocate. Capital figures can increase depending on your location, the machines you will use, and any additional services you offer. Some solarium companies offer extra spa and massage services. You can increase the number of services you offer with the additional capital you add. The choice is yours.
- After determining the amount of capital you need, you need to create a business plan. Since the minimum investment is 200,000 TL, you should write down the steps to be taken. At this stage, you should plan everything, such as where to buy tanning machines and researching a suitable business location. You won’t have time for planning during the initial stages of starting the business.
- Now you’re ready to secure a business location. The key here is choosing a location with high visibility and signage potential. This could be the upper floors of an office building. By placing a high-profile sign, you’ll reach a large audience. A pedestrian who sees that sign 100 times will likely visit your business someday when they need to. Rent at least a 3+1 office space. Affordable rent will be a significant advantage.
- After renting the venue, you need to obtain a tax registration certificate. To do this, simply contact your accountant. Your tax registration certificate will be issued within a maximum of two days.
- For business decor and design, you’ll need to purchase furniture, paintings, and cream-colored shelves. You can design it in a luxurious way according to your personal taste. Of course, the design should be planned with the tanning beds in mind.
- Have the solarium equipment installed by our technical service team. Ensure that you and your staff receive the necessary training on this matter.
- Now you’re ready to open a tanning salon. The next step is advertising to make your business successful. Many tanning salons increase their customer base through Instagram giveaways. You can also promote your business using Instagram regional ads, brochure advertising, Google ads, and other advertising methods. Additionally, you can partner with gyms and hair salons.
Cost of Opening a Solarium
The cost of opening a solarium will vary between 150,000 TL and 500,000 TL depending on the equipment you use. If you are opening a salon offering all beauty services, the upper limit can even be 2 million TL. This completely depends on your preferences and the location you choose. The minimum cost of 150,000 TL is calculated assuming you will use a single, brand-new vertical solarium machine.
Used tanning devices are sold with refurbished lamps. The choice of purchasing these devices is yours. However, they may present problems with technical service. Furthermore, your customers will prefer to use newer, state-of-the-art equipment for tanning. Therefore, new devices offer advantages in every sector.
Read this: If You Don’t Have Enough Capital, Here’s the Solution!
Monthly Earnings and Return from a Solarium
Since you have no expenses other than electricity for the tanning equipment, almost 80% of the fee you charge will be your profit margin. Your monthly earnings will vary depending on your turnover. A tanning salon with a daily turnover of 3000 TL will have a net monthly profit of at least 50,000 TL.
These figures can increase or decrease. They depend entirely on your costs, number of staff, rent, and business model. You can’t cut costs. To increase profits, you must offer additional options. Of course, it makes more sense to enter other sectors after specializing in the solarium field.