Whether it’s through security, EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) processing, or a number of internet-based management tools, the proper software gives tanning salon owners the power to unlock the full potential of their salons. Be sure to consider the following when assessing your software needs:
1. Software should be able to perform theft prevention, detailed reporting, inventory tracking, client data management, appointment scheduling, bed control and lamp-usage tracking; supply marketing information, a complete point-of-sales system, and growth potential; and contain options for Internet integration.
2. Choose a software program that allows you to streamline your needs in order to spend more time focusing on salon operations. A good program also should assist salon operators with salon promotions, pricing, employee security and tanning-regulation enforcement.
3. Choose a software provider focused on product in the indoor tanning industry.
4. Choose a software vendor that provides top-notch service and support with live-operator telephone support 24/7.
5. Assess your needs. Do you need remote access? Do you need to link multiple salons on one system? Do you want real-time access? Do you want the most advanced technology possible?
A tanning bed inside your tanning salon that needs repair or is not functioning is a direct loss of revenue for the salon. Check out these useful tips for keeping your tanning beds in top condition.
1. Be sure to stock small components known to fail every now and then. This will save you from having to lose revenue while waiting for a replacement part to arrive.
2. Learn maintenance basics such as removing the acrylics and replacing lamps and lamp holders. Why pay someone else to do it when you can do it yourself?
3. That said, call the service technician if there is any uncertainty about how to make a repair. A small mistake can create a bigger and more expensive problem. As Ben Franklin said “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
4. Keep your equipment clean so it runs more efficiently for a longer period of time.
5. Make up a daily, weekly and monthly maintenance sheet and add it to your salon’s procedure handbook. Keep this sheet handy and note the date that each task was completed.
Choosing the right tanning equipment is one of the most important decisions a tanning salon owner will make. By investing in new equipment, you can take advantage of cutting-edge features, ergonomic interiors and eye-appealing exterior designs. Consider the following when selecting new equipment:
1. Choose a vendor that offers a complete line of tanning equipment and backs it with service and tech-support. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and expect real answers.
2. Offer multiple levels of tanning. This allows you to upgrade low-pressure tanners to medium-pressure beds, and your medium-pressure tanners to high-pressure units for a minimal charge.
3. Look for equipment with varied tanning times such as 8-, 10-, 15- and 20-minute exposure schedules. This allows for a staggered customer flow and turnover in tanning rooms.
4. Consider units with appealing features and eye-catching graphics and designs to enhance their marketability.
5. Don’t undercut your profits. You can’t sell upgrades if people are used to getting something for practically nothing. Price on the merits of your equipment and the tanning experience they provide.
Today’s tanning consumer demands high-quality products that are affordably priced. They’re also very savvy and tend to ask a lot of questions before they make an educated purchase. The following are important variables in your retail success as a tanning salon owner:
1. Set a standard for quality at your salon and only purchase those products that meet this standard. Discuss your quality concept with the staff, making sure they understand what you look for in a product.
2. Carry product lines or brands that are familiar to the consumer and have good reputations. Brands are those labels that are easily recognized by the consumer and are manufactured according to the strictest of quality guidelines.
3. Ask your customers the right questions to determine what lotions or skincare products are appropriate to their skin type and what their tanning expectations are.
4. Offer a range of tanning products that will have a wide appeal with your clients, and be sure to train your staff well so they can explain the features, advantages and benefits of all your products. Pass this knowledge on to your staff because their product knowledge will help sell more as well as provide you with feedback in terms of which products are not meeting your quality standard based on client responses.
5. Be confident in the products you are selling. If you’re not, consider changing or dropping lines. If you don’t believe in and stand by what you are selling, you will never be able to increase your retail profits.
6. The closer products are to the point-of-purchase the better. Customers do not want to have to go far to find and purchase something that interests them. Displays of products placed near the point-of-purchase are beneficial because they encourage impulse spending and make it easier for your staff to soft-sell or cross-sell different products. It also makes it easier for your staff to answer questions the customer may have about products.
7. Make your reception sales-oriented. To sell lotions and other retail products, salespeople are needed. Hire customer-oriented, outgoing staff members with a sales background and educate your existing staff on how to sell.
8. Set goals and offer commissions. Sales goals should be established for the salon by month and employee. Break the goal up into weekly and daily amounts. As with any sales goal, the numbers should be reviewed in a salon staff meeting. Review how the goal was reached, why lotions sales are important to the salon, how customers benefit from the right lotion advice and how being an expert builds client confidence (resulting in increased sales) and referrals. Set your prices on the merits of your equipment and the tanning experience they provide.
On Christmas Eve, the Senate passed the latest version of its health-care reform bill, which is predicted to cost approximately $871 billion in the course of the first 10 years. The bill includes the “11th hour” addition of a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning services. The approval process took just 15 minutes, resulting in a “yes” vote of 60-39.
The House passed its $1.05 trillion version of the bill back in November. The next step is for the Senate and House versions to go to conference committee so the major differences can be reconciled. Besides the tanning tax discrepancy, there are also conflicts regarding the consequences of not participating, the costs – both overall and to the public, the level of government involvement, the funding of abortions, and coverage for illegal immigrants.
It’s estimated that the parties will work through the process in January, then sending the agreed-upon version to the president to sign in February. However, based on the conflicting views seen largely between Republicans and Democrats concerning the legislation, there’s no guarantee that the process will occur quickly or smoothly.
For information on how to make your voice heard in Washington, visit the article below; or for more information regarding the Senate bill, stop by the source links.
Over the weekend, U.S. Senate Democrats removed a proposed 5% tax on all elective cosmetic surgery, replacing it with a last-minute provision that would tax the use of tanning beds. Senate Democrats cite the reasoning for the “Tan Tax” is the increased risk of skin cancer associated with the use of indoor tanning beds.
Under the new proposal, individuals purchasing tanning services would be requires to pay the 10% Tan Tax. Over a 10-year span, this new tax is projected to produce $2.7 billion to help fund health care reform. The previously proposed elective cosmetic surgery tax, affectionately called the “Bo-Tax” was projected to contribute over twice that amount in the same 10-year span.
Allergan, the California-based maker of Botox and other firms that were to be affected by the “Bo-Tax” lobbied together to remove the proposed tax. Representative cosmetic surgeons also lobbied against the tax arguing that the tax was discriminatory, specifically against middle-class women.
In a statement released by John Overstreet, executive director of the Indoor Tanning Association said, “It is not surprising that one primarily cosmetic business is trying to throw another under the bus by transferring a tax from rich doctors and their wealthy customers to struggling small businesses,” Overstreet said. “The irony is that ultraviolet light at least has proven health benefits where botox treatments have none.”
On their website, the Indoor Tanning Association states that a well-known side effect of exposing the skin to ultraviolent (UV) light is the production of Vitamin D.
What is the Section 179 Deduction??
Most people think the Section 179 Deduction is some arcane or complicated tax code. It really isn’t, as the following will show you.
Essentially, Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment purchased or financed during the tax year. That means that if you buy (or lease) a piece of qualifying equipment, you can deduct the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from your gross income. It’s an incentive created by the US Government to encourage businesses to buy equipment and invest in themselves. It is sometimes referred to as the “SUV Tax Loophole” or the “Hummer Deduction” because many businesses have used this tax code to purchase qualifying vehicles (like SUV’s and Hummers.)
Obesity, especially teen obesity has numerous effects on physical and emotional health. Poor dietary habits, a lack of exercise and smoking all contribute to obesity. However, new findings suggest that a lack of vitamin D can also contribute to adolescent and teen obesity.
In addition, low levels of vitamin D can lead to high blood pressure and high blood sugar, which compound the health issues.
A new study by Jared Reis of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health said that teens in the study with the lowest vitamin D levels were more than twice as likely to have high blood pressure and high blood sugar. The teens were also four times more likely to have metabolic syndrome, defined as having three or more conditions that contribute to heart disease and diabetes – including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, big waists, and high cholesterol.
NXT plc, a provider of unique sound solutions, best known for its flat panel loudspeaker technology, is pleased to confirm the launch of a new series of state of the art NXT-equipped tanning beds from ETS, featuring the revolutionary E3 technology – energy saving, ergonomic design, and easy maintenance.
The use of NXT technology in ETS’ new E3 tanning beds is a testimony to the wide ranging application of NXT’s award-winning technologies. NXT speakers are built into the canopy, transforming it to a loudspeaker and providing a surround sound user experience while reducing the noise pollution throughout the tanning salon. Compatible with MP3, DMX, or other sound sources, the built-in NXT speakers also eliminate the need for costly and bulky sound systems, allowing for a more spacious environment. A keypad remote control is located just in front of the bed for easy access to the multiple functions of the beds, which are also equipped with illuminating ‘mood mode’ light effects that change colors and can be customized to fit the salon theme or personal preferences.
E3 tanning bed featuring built-in NXT speakers
Easy to maintain, the compact tanning beds feature wipe-clean panels, promoting a hygienic environment within the tanning bed. NXT has granted ETS Tan exclusive access to its technology and intellectual property for the tanning bed market and the E3 series product range is now available in the US, priced from $7,999.
Neither ETS, LLC nor its parent or affiliated companies operate or control, in any respect, any information, claims, representations, endorsements, recommendations, testimonials, products or services that third parties may provide on or through the website or on websites linked to by us. The inclusion of any link on this website does not, and shall not be construed, to imply any recommendation, approval, endorsement or testimonial of that third-party website by ETS, LLC. The views and opinions of authors expressed in any third-party website do not necessarily state or reflect those of ETS, LLC. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by ETS, LLC.
Whether it’s through security, EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) processing, or a number of internet-based management tools, the proper software gives tanning salon owners the power to unlock the full potential of their salons. Be sure to consider the following when assessing your software needs:
On Christmas Eve, the Senate passed the latest version of its health-care reform bill, which is predicted to cost approximately $871 billion in the course of the first 10 years. The bill includes the “11th hour” addition of a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning services. The approval process took just 15 minutes, resulting in a “yes” vote of 60-39.
Over the weekend, U.S. Senate Democrats removed a proposed 5% tax on all elective cosmetic surgery, replacing it with a last-minute provision that would tax the use of tanning beds. Senate Democrats cite the reasoning for the “Tan Tax” is the increased risk of skin cancer associated with the use of indoor tanning beds.
Obesity, especially teen obesity has numerous effects on physical and emotional health. Poor dietary habits, a lack of exercise and smoking all contribute to obesity. However, new findings suggest that a lack of vitamin D can also contribute to adolescent and teen obesity.
NXT plc, a provider of unique sound solutions, best known for its flat panel loudspeaker technology, is pleased to confirm the launch of a new series of state of the art NXT-equipped tanning beds from ETS, featuring the revolutionary E3 technology – energy saving, ergonomic design, and easy maintenance.
