Ancillary Services

The vendors provide educational and promotional materials for staff and customers, emphasizing education as a vital part of attaining success. Just as an employee spends 10 to 15 minutes with a new tanning client to explain procedures and make sure the customer understands how to operate the machinery, staff members will need to do the same with these add-on services.

As far as sales, this equipment is a natural fit with tanning. Salons are used to selling time on equipment, performing minor cleaning and interacting with customers.

In terms of set up, ideally each service should have its own 7-foot by 9-foot room. Slightly smaller rooms can be used, but the door must allow for entry of the various types of equipment.

Like tanning, services can be sold in multiple-use packages that pull in higher revenue upfront, as opposed to more expensive single-visit sales. Unlike tanning, the services are not seasonal; therefore, offering a year-round draw to even out a salon’s slower times.

Owners also need to keep in mind that an add-on service is not the way to save a failing business, rather to make a good business better. The last thing you need is to invest in a new product when you’re not even getting customers in for your main line of business.

Ancillary services that do well for you open the doors to future opportunities. If you are considering an add-on service, take the time to do your own research. Evaluate services your customers might enjoy, as well as closely examining any markets you might not be reaching in your area.

In addition to advertising, the best success will come from the client’s overall experience. Salon owners may need to change the lighting or paint in a room and should consider providing headphones to block out any sounds the machinery might make. These upgrades don’t need to be expensive, just addressed.