Getting ready to officially open the doors of your new tanning salon?  Here are ten absolutes to insure a spectacular launch and continued success after the big day:

• Make sure the interior design is up to date.  Cool, monochromatic colors are in.  Bright colors and beach/tiki décor is out.
• Check all equipment to make sure everything is working properly.
• Double-check your pricing structure.  After the launch, it’s much harder to make price adjustments.
• Make sure everything in the salon is sparkling clean and all your supplies are well stocked. Consider reaching out to shop front installers if you’re looking to refresh the overall appearance of your space and explore potential enhancements for the storefront.
• Make sure you’ve selected lotions in a range of price points that serve your salon’s clientele appropriately.  Most lotion and product manufacturers offer free in-store/online training, as well as ongoing support to insure that your staff has all the information they need to sell every product in the salon.  This goes for your ancillary products as well.  Don’t overlook them.  In many cases, they are easier to sell than lotions.
• Make sure your salon is adequately staffed.  Will you have enough coverage during peak times to maximize sales and profitability?  Or will they be cleaning beds, setting tanning times, and restocking?  Don’t let an opportunity go by to educate your client and assist them in making the right product choice for them.
• Have your staff review and practice their salon guest welcome tours.  Remember this is a new establishment with new clientele coming through the door.  Make it a pleasant and educational experience.  You only get once chance to make a good first impression.  Don’t blow it.
• Hopefully, your advertising campaign is already well underway.  Make sure those coupons are turned into sales dollars when people bring them in – have set add-on packages that correspond with each coupon/promotion.   Review them with the staff so they know exactly how to upsell to larger packages when the opportunity arises.
• Review and role-play different possible scenarios with your staff that may come up when speaking with a potential customer. Teach them to turn fact finding missions and objections into sales.
• Lastly, try and relax.  Your dream is finally coming true.  Remember:  nothing ventured, nothing gained.  Have confidence that your bases are covered and you’ve done everything right to make your grand opening a huge success!

Thanks to Lisa Parsons, National Sales Trainer & Educator for Devoted Creations, for her article in the February 2013 Issue of Island Sun Times which served as a springboard for this article.  She actually addresses established salons preparing for the busy season; however, I feel it is very instructive for new salon owners as well.

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