Start a Tanning Salon: Your Ultimate Guide

Are you thinking of starting a tanning salon? If so, you’re on the right track! This is a great business opportunity with plenty of potential. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get started. So read on and learn how to make your tanning salon dreams a reality.

Table of Contents


What is a Tanning Salon business?

A tanning salon is a business that offers indoor tanning services to customers. Tanning salons typically use UV-based tanning beds or booths to give their customers a sun-kissed look all year round. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of tanning salons popping up across the country. This is likely due to the fact that more people are becoming interested in achieving a bronze complexion without having to exposure themselves to the harmful effects of UV radiation.

If you’re thinking about starting a tanning salon business, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you’ll need to obtain the proper licenses and permits from your state and local government. Secondly, you’ll need to purchase quality tanning equipment and hire experienced staff members. And finally, you’ll need to market your business effectively to attract customers. With a little hard work and dedication, you can turn your tanning salon business into a success.


Why would I want to start a Tanning Salon business?

o, you’re thinking about starting a tanning salon business. But why? What’s the big draw? Why would anyone want to start a business in this industry?

There are actually a lot of reasons! The tanning industry is growing rapidly and is projected to continue to grow. People are becoming more and more health conscious and are looking for alternative methods of getting their vitamin D. And, let’s face it, people just love to be tan!

If you’re thinking of starting a tanning salon business, here are a few things to consider:

The Tanning Industry is booming!

The professional skin care industry is expected to grow by 4.3% every year through 2025.* That’s amazing news for anyone thinking of starting a tanning salon business!

Vitamin D is important for good health

Vitamin D is important for so many reasons – it helps with calcium absorption, strengthens bones, boosts immunity, and can even improve your mood*. Unfortunately, it can be tough to get enough vitamin D from food alone. The best way to get vitamin D is from sunlight – which is where indoor tanning comes in!

People have been trying to get that perfect “glow” for centuries. In the early 1900s, people would spend hours lying in the sun, trying to get the perfect tan. Today, people still love being tan – but they don’t want to spend hours in the sun anymore. They want quick, convenient, and safe ways to get that bronzed look – which is where indoor tanning comes in!

These are just a few of the reasons why starting a tanning salon business might be a great idea for you. With the rapid growth of the industry and increasing demand for alternative methods of getting vitamin D, now is the perfect time to start your own business in this booming industry!


How do I start a Tanning Salon business?

In order to start a tanning salon business, you need to do some research and planning. This includes figuring out your target market, what services you will offer, and what kind of atmosphere you want to create. You also need to make sure that you are familiar with the rules and regulations governing tanning salons in your area. With a little bit of work, you can create a successful and profitable tanning salon business.

Define Your Niche

When you’re first starting a business, it’s important to have a clear niche. This will help you attract the right customers and stand out from the competition.

For a tanning salon, this could mean specializing in a certain type of tanning, such as spray tanning or UV tanning. Or it could mean catering to a specific clientele, such as brides-to-be or athletes. Whatever you choose, make sure your niche is well defined so that potential customers know what to expect when they visit your salon.

By having a clear niche, you’ll be on your way to success in the competitive world of tanning salons.

Create a Business Plan

Before starting any business, it’s important to create a comprehensive business plan. This document will outline your business goals, strategies, and how you intend to achieve them. It will also be useful when seeking funding from investors or lenders.

When creating a business plan for a tanning salon, there are a few key points to keep in mind. First, you’ll need to research the competition and make sure your salon will be able to stand out.

Next, you’ll need to develop a pricing strategy that allows you to generate enough revenue to cover your costs and turn a profit.

Finally, you’ll need to create a marketing plan that includes both online and offline tactics. By taking the time to create a well-rounded business plan, you’ll give yourself the best chance of success when launching your tanning salon.

Find Funding for Your Business

One very important step in starting your own business is to find funding.

Funding for businesses can come from a variety of sources, including personal savings, loans from family and friends, credit cards, and small business loans from banks or other financial institutions. Government grants are also available for certain types of businesses.

To find out what funding options are available to you, it is important to do some research and talk to other business owners in your industry.

Once you have a better idea of what funding is available, you can start to put together a business plan and apply for loans or grants.

With the right funding in place, you will be well on your way to starting your very own tanning salon business.

Get the Necessary Permits and Registrations

Before opening a tanning salon, it is important to make sure that all the necessary permits and registrations have been obtained. Depending on the location of the business, this may require getting a business license from the city or county. In addition, most states require tanning businesses to be registered with the state Department of Health.

Once these steps have been completed, it is also important to obtain liability insurance. This will protect the business in case of any accidents that occur on the premises. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your tanning salon is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Find the Training You Need

Starting a tanning salon business can be a great way to enter the beauty industry. But before you get started, it’s important to make sure you have the right training. Fortunately, there are a few different options available to help you get started.

One option is to take a cosmetology course at a local community college or trade school. This will give you the basic skills and knowledge you need to start your business. You can also find online courses that will provide you with more specific training on running a tanning salon. These courses can be found through online directories or by searching for “tanning salon business training.”

Once you’ve completed your training, it’s important to get some experience working in a salon before opening your own business. This will help you learn the ropes and gain some valuable insights into running a successful operation. You can find internships or part-time jobs through networking or by searching online job boards.

With the right training and experience, you’ll be well on your way to starting a successful tanning salon business.

Find Your Location

Before you start your tanning salon business, it’s important to find the right location. Look for a busy area with good foot traffic. A strip mall or a shopping center would be a good option. The location should also be easily accessible and have plenty of parking.

It’s also important to consider the competition. If there are already several tanning salons in the area, you’ll need to find a way to stand out from the crowd. Offer competitive prices or unique services that will attract customers. With careful planning, you can find the perfect location for your new business.

Get the Required Equipment

Before you can open your own tanning salon, you need to make sure you have the proper equipment. First, you will need at least one commercial-grade tanning bed. These can be expensive, so it’s important to do your research and find a bed that fits both your needs and your budget.

You’ll also need to purchase some basic supplies, such as tanning lotions and towels. Finally, you’ll need to create a comfortable waiting area for your clients. This could include chairs, couches, or even a television.

By investing in the right equipment, you can set your tanning salon up for success.

Hire and Train Staff

Before you can open your doors for business, you will need to hire and train a staff of tanning consultants. Ideally, your team should be knowledgeable about the products and services you offer, as well as the dangers of overexposure to UV rays. They should be able to answer questions from customers, provide advice on which products to use, and help them choose the right level of tanning beds.

Additionally, they should be comfortable upselling other services, such as massages or facial treatments. Finally, it is important that they have excellent customer service skills and are able to build rapport with clients. With the right team in place, you will be well on your way to opening a successful tanning salon.

Market Your Business

If you’re thinking of starting a tanning salon business, one of the most important things you’ll need to do is market your business effectively. There are a number of ways to do this, but some of the most effective include using social media, developing a strong web presence, and running targeted advertising campaigns.

One of the best ways to market your tanning salon business is to use social media. This will allow you to reach a large number of potential customers with relative ease. Make sure to create profiles on all of the major social media platforms and post regular updates about your business. You should also encourage your customers to leave reviews and ratings on your page.

It’s also important to develop a strong web presence for your business. Make sure that your website is well-designed and informative. You should also make sure that it is easy for potential customers to find you online. Pay-per-click advertising can be an effective way to improve your visibility online.

Finally, make sure that you run targeted advertising campaigns. These can be directed at specific demographics that are more likely to use your services. For example, if you’re targeting women between the ages of 18 and 35, you might want to run ads on websites that cater to this demographic or in magazines that they are likely to read. By taking the time to market your business effectively, you’ll be well on your way to success.


How much does it cost to start a Tanning Salon business?

Have you ever thought about starting your own tanning salon business? If so, you’re not alone. The self-care industry is booming and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. However, before you jump into the fray, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the costs associated with starting a tanning salon. In this section, we’ll walk you through a few of the major expenses you can expect to incur when starting your own tanning salon business.

The first and arguably most important cost associated with starting a tanning salon is finding the right location. Ideally, you want a location that is easily accessible and has high visibility. Of course, prime real estate comes at a price. You can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 – $5,000 per month in rent for a small to medium-sized space.

Once you have secured a location, the next step is outfitting your salon with all of the necessary equipment. This includes items like tanning beds, sun lamps, towels, lotions, etc. Depending on the type and quality of equipment you decide to purchase, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10,000 – $50,000.

Another cost to consider is marketing and advertising. When first starting out, it’s important to put some money towards marketing and advertising so that you can attract customers and get them in the door. A good rule of thumb is to budget for at least 3 – 6 months’ worth of marketing and advertising expenses upfront. This will give you time to get your name out there and build up a customer base. Depending on the type of marketing and advertising you decide to do (e.g., online ads, print ads, etc.), you can expect to spend anywhere from $500 – $5,000 per month.

Finally, don’t forget about miscellaneous expenses like insurance, licenses, permits, etc. These expenses can vary depending on your location and other factors but should be factored into your overall start-up costs.

Tanning salons are a popular choice for those looking for an easy way to get started in the self-care industry. However, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the costs associated with starting a tanning salon before jumping in headfirst! By following the tips outlined in this section, you’ll be well on your way to setting up a successful business without breaking the bank!


How do I find customers for my Tanning Salon business?

If you’re like most business owners, you probably dream of finding hordes of new customers who are just itching to buy what you’re selling. But in reality, finding new customers can be tough – especially for a Tanning Salon business. So how do you drum up new business? Check out these tips!

Define Your Target Market

Any business needs customers to be successful, and a tanning salon is no exception. That’s why it’s important to take the time to define your target market: the group of people most likely to use your services.

To start, consider the demographics of your potential customer base, such as age, gender, location, and income level. Then, think about their motivations for using a tanning salon. Are they looking to improve their appearance for a special occasion? Or do they want to maintain a year-round glow?

Once you have a good understanding of your target market, you can start developing marketing campaigns and strategies designed to reach them. With a little effort, you can soon have a steady stream of customers through your doors.

Create a Marketing Plan

No matter what business you’re in, marketing is essential to finding and keeping customers. And if you’re in the business of tanning, that means having a solid plan for marketing your salon. There are a few key things to keep in mind as you develop your marketing strategy.

First, it’s important to understand your target market. Who are the people most likely to use your services? What are their needs and wants? Once you have a good understanding of your target market, you can begin to develop a marketing strategy that will reach them.

Next, you need to decide what kind of message you want to communicate. What are the benefits of using your tanning services? Be sure to focus on the positive aspects of tanning, such as the healthy glow it can provide or the way it makes people feel more confident.

Finally, you need to choose the right channels for reaching your target market. Where do they spend most of their time? What kinds of media do they consume?

Keep all of these factors in mind as you develop your marketing plan and you’ll be well on your way to finding new customers for your tanning salon business.

Build a Web Presence

If you’re in the business of running a tanning salon, one of the best ways to find new customers is to build a web presence. In today’s digital age, more and more people are using the internet to search for businesses like yours. By creating a website and making sure it appears high in search engine results, you can attract potential customers who may not have otherwise found your business.

In addition to building a website, you can also create a presence on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. By regularly posting interesting content and engaging with your followers, you can build up a loyal customer base that will keep coming back for more.

So if you’re looking to find new customers for your tanning salon business, make sure you have a strong web presence.

Use Organic and Paid Social Media

There are two types of social media: organic and paid. You can use both to find new customers for your tanning salon business. Organic social media includes platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

To reach potential customers on organic social media, create content that is relevant to your target audience and use hashtags to make it easy for them to find. You can also run ads on organic social media platforms. Paid social media includes platforms like Google and LinkedIn.

To reach potential customers on paid social media, create targeted ads that reach your target audience. You can also use retargeting ads to reach people who have visited your website but haven’t become customers yet.

By using both organic and paid social media, you’ll be able to reach the widest possible audience and find new customers for your tanning salon business.

Find an Influencer

If you are looking to find new customers for your tanning salon business, one of the best ways to do it is to find an influencer. An influencer is somebody with a large online following who can help to promote your business. There are a few different ways to find an influencer.

First, you can use social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram to search for people who are talking about tanning. Secondly, you can use websites such as Bloglovin’ and BuzzSumo to find popular blogs about tanning.

Once you have found an influencer, you need to reach out to them and ask if they would be interested in promoting your business. If they agree, they will typically provide you with a link that you can include on your website or social media profiles. You may also be asked to provide a discount code for their followers.

By working with an influencer, you can reach a whole new audience of potential customers for your tanning salon business.

Reaching your target market is essential for any businesses success. You can have the best product or service in the world, but if potential customers don’t know about it, you’re not going to make any sales.

One way to reach your target market is by advertising in local publications. This could include newspapers, magazines, or even online directories. When choosing a publication to advertise in, it’s important to consider who your target market is and what type of publication they are most likely to read.

For example, if you’re trying to attract young women to your tanning salon, you might want to place an ad in a local fashion magazine. On the other hand, if you’re targeting a more mature audience, you might want to consider a newspaper with a wider circulation.

By advertising in a publication that your target market is likely to read, you can significantly increase the chances of reaching them.

Get Involved with Local Community Organizations

As a business owner, it is always important to be looking for new ways to reach potential customers. Getting involved with local community organizations is a great way to find new customers for your tanning salon business. There are a few things you can do to get started.

First, try to attend as many community events as possible. This will give you the chance to meet people and start building relationships. You can also look for opportunities to sponsor community events. This can be a great way to get your name out there and show your support for the community.

Finally, don’t forget to include your contact information on all of your marketing materials. This will make it easy for people to find you when they are looking for a tanning salon.

By taking these steps, you can start building a relationship with the community that will help you find new customers for your business.

Network with Local Businesses

As a new business owner, it is essential to network with other local businesses. Not only will this help you to find customers for your tanning salon, but it will also help you to build relationships with other business owners in the community.

One way to find potential customers is to partner with local businesses that share a similar target market. For example, if you are targeting young women, you might partner with a local hair salon or nail salon. You can offer discounts to their customers or hold joint promotional events.

Another way to find customers is to participate in local events and trade shows. This will give you an opportunity to meet potential customers and promote your business.

Participating in local networking events is also a great way to build relationships with other business owners. These connections can lead to referrals, joint ventures, and partnerships.

By networking with other businesses in the community, you will be able to find new customers and grow your business.

Get Listed in Online Directories

Listing your tanning salon business in online directories is a great way to find new customers. By creating a listing, you can provide potential customers with your business name, address, and phone number. You can also include a brief description of your business, as well as hours of operation and pricing information.

In addition, many online directories allow customers to leave reviews, which can help you attract new business. To get started, simply search for “tanning salon directories” online and create a listing for your business.

Be sure to include all of the relevant information and check back regularly to see if any new reviews have been posted. With a little effort, you can soon start attracting new customers to your tanning salon business.

Offer Coupons and Discounts

One way to find customers for your tanning salon business is to offer coupons and discounts. You can promote these offers through local newspapers, online classifieds, and social media.

When running a promotion, be sure to include an expiration date and a mention of any blackout dates or restrictions. You can also offer a discount to new customers or for referrals from existing customers.

If you’re running a special promotion, consider making it valid for a specific time period or number of uses. By offering coupons and discounts, you’ll be able to attract new customers and grow your business.


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About Jeremy Reis

Jeremy Reis is a serial entrepreneur from the Franklin, Tennessee area. Jeremy is the founder of multiple businesses and is the VP of Marketing for CRISTA Ministries. Jeremy has his MBA with a focus in Entrepreneurship from The Ohio State University.