The Tan Company

The Tan Company
A Formula For Success

At the age of 18, Todd Beckman, owner, president and founder of Team Tan Distributing, and president and founder of The Tan Company, found himself working with family in a nationally franchised hair salon that offered tanning. For the next nine years, Beckman would learn what it takes for a franchise to succeed in the business. He learned as much as he could, never knowing this experience one day would enable him to develop his own successful service oriented franchise.

"My years in the hair industry taught me the importance of offering the franchisees the tools they need to thrive in their industry. It's a lot more than sharing a national name. It's about having the right structure to guarantee employee motivation and internal, as well as, external growth," explains Beckman.

When Beckman talks about The Tan Company's offerings, he is most excited about the revolutionary profit/royalty program. "Unlike other franchises, with TANCO, as your business profits soar, you pay a smaller--not larger--percent to your corporate office," he says. "We have the most innovative royalty in the history of franchising. For example, a hard-working salon operator who begins to experience bigger and better profits won't feel like they're simply making more money for the franchiser, they will start to reap the financial benefits of their own hard work and success."

Todd Beckman

According to Beckman, the most profound reason to join the TANCO Franchise is the access one gets to the expertise and proven methods of The Tan Company's formula. In addition, TANCO's research and development department works closely with the stores to give them an added edge over the competition.

TANCO currently has 10 corporate stores that act as the company's R&D. These stores offer the other 17 franchises helpful insights into specific markets by sharing information on their demographics and offering effective and impactful sales and marketing techniques.

"This information gives all participants the information necessary in choosing the most successful location at a reasonable rent while following a tried-and-proven path," says Beckman.

The Added Value Of Training

"Are you familiar with the phrase, `You're only as strong as your weakest link?' That's where education raises everyone's potential and turns your weakest link into your strongest," says Beckman.

As part of the training package, TANCO offers The Tanning University for both franchisees and their staff. The one-week comprehensive training seminar is conducted at TANCO's 25,000-square-foot training facility in St. Louis, Mo.

The seminar covers critical topics like computer programs, draft operations, retailing products, membership sales, government regulations, local promotions, customer service and tanning certification. Because of the participants' varying levels of experience, a beginner, intermediate and advanced class is offered. Beckman says that TANCO strives to offer franchisees the latest in tanning technology and advances in skincare. New sales and marketing techniques are continually being developed that assure TANCO's continued growth in their markets.

TANCO offers franchisees a large variety of promotional materials for use in their local territories. Billboards, radio ads, mailers advertisement brochures, point of purchase materials, posters and promotional clothing are examples of the many items available to promote the franchise.

What About Equipment And Design?

In 1999, Team Tan was appointed the exclusive importer of Italian-made Sportarredo tanning equipment. This agreement allows all TANCO franchises to benefit greatly by receiving huge savings on all of their equipment needs. Customers are able to acquire Sportarredo equipment direct, and not have to pay for the standard markups most distributors take.

As for store design, the team at TANCO offers a customized floor plan and layout at no additional charge. All TANCO stores are designed to meet specific objectives including advancing and promoting the TANCO image; publicizing the products and services to their most favorable features; educating customers on products and tanning; ensuring easy maintenance; maximizing energy conservation; increasing productivity and efficiency of employees; and, maximizing customer flow.

Understanding Competition

Team Tan Racing, the company's Formula One powerboat team, has proved in more ways than one that competition runs in its blood. The team blew away its 2000 racing season with Tim Seebold and Todd Beckman ranking second and third in the world, respectively in points standing.

Beckman has been racing for 10 years, and five years professionally. His racing partner, Mike Seebold, previously raced for Bud Light, and currently is Formula One's winningest driver. Beckman is ready to give his best in the 2001 season, and is aiming to reach victory and win the championship. He is grateful for the increased support from his sponsors like LOOKING FIT magazine, Australian Gold and Maui Jim Sunglasses.

Beckman says, "Racing is a lot like business, you aim for your goal, focus your energy and devote all of your desire and ambition to achieve it. Whether it is an explosion of franchises across the country, or winning the championship, one thing is clear--if you want it bad enough, it comes true."

The Tan Company, formerly known as St. Louis Tan Company, has a rich history embedded in the service and franchise industry. Their customer-focused approach has helped the St. Louis-based company move even closer to realizing its goal of becoming the superstore salon of choice for sun lovers across the country who want fast and easy multilevel indoor tanning.