Utilities

•     Get an energy audit – sometimes they are free or, if you are a member of your local chamber of commerce, they may have partnered with a company to offer them for free.

•     Many, if not most, electrical appliances will draw power if they are plugged in, even when they are not turned on. Unplug anything you can at closing time and include a reminder to plug these items back in on the morning to-do list. 

•     If you launder towels at your salon and have the hook-up for it, use a gas dryer instead of an electric one. They are a little more expensive up front, but the money saved on energy costs alone will quickly add up.

•     Keep your furnace and air conditioning systems clean and tuned up for maximum efficiency. Replace the filter(s) every 3 months during peak use. The dirtier these systems are, the more energy they require to run. 

•     Install the new type of fluorescent bulbs throughout the salon; they provide four times as much light and last ten times longer than incandescent bulbs.  

•     Lower the temperature setting on your hot water heater to 110-120 degrees. It’s not necessary to have it any hotter and it wastes energy.

•     Make sure your large front windows are well caulked, and that the insulated molding around the front door is intact. 

•     Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust at night and prevent employees from changing the temperature setting during the day.

Telephone

•     Check your phone bill: do you have optional services that you don’t really need or use at the salon? Each service you drop could save you $40 or more in fees each year. If you like, want or and need all those options, ask if your service provider offers them in a cost-saving package.

•     If you believe employees are racking up your long-distance bill, discontinue your long-distance service. Keep a calling card in your wallet – many of them cost less than 4 cents per minute – and use it for making long-distance calls from the salon. 

Advertising on a Budget

•     Cooperative advertising with businesses that compliment yours – such as hair salons or gyms – could cut your ad cost in half. If you’re doing a direct mailer, you’ll be able to reach people in their database, too – people who are likely to be good tanning candidates.

•     Ask complimentary businesses, such as bridal salons, if you can place a flyer in their store. Since it’s not a mailer, you’ll eliminate postage cost.  

•     Create a newsletter that includes upcoming specials and leave it in your salon for clients to pick up. You’ll reach many of the people in your database with no postage costs.

•     Avoid postage costs by emailing printable coupons to people in your database.

Cut Office Expenses

•     Use recycled ink cartridges in your computer printer.

•     Choose software programs that include free technical service.

•     Buy used computers – ones that are only a year old can be affordable and yet are up-to-date enough to run most salon and business software programs.

•     Order checks from a printing company rather than the bank – they’re usually cheaper. Or, pay bills online. 

•     Ask suppliers if they give discounts for early payment. If not, it’s to your advantage to pay your bills – including utilities, taxes and suppliers – as late as possible without incurring a fee. The longer funds are under your control, the longer they’re earning a return for you rather than someone else. 

•     Buy a laminator and laminate your own in-store signs instead of taking them to a print/copy shop. You’ll save money in the long run.

•     If you are a member of your local chamber of commerce, check with them for member business discounts.

•     Save receipts for business expenses, such as attending trade shows or gas mileage – they might qualify for a tax deduction.

General Money-Savers

•     When redecorating, buy used furniture and make your own flower arrangements.

•     Invite friends or family to help you paint the salon.

•     Buy toiletry and cleaning products in bulk. 

•     Request free subscriptions to magazines since you are a business and many people will see them (doctor’s offices often get free subscriptions), or collect them from your family and friends when they are done reading them. However, make sure there are no anti-tanning articles in them – you can still use those magazines, just use a razor blade to remove the “bad” pages and usually no one notices.

•     Insure your salon for the proper amount. You’ll save money in the long run because if you don’t have enough insurance for repairs, you might be stuck with a large bill. Having adequate insurance can make or break your business.

•     Trade tanning gift certificates with another business for employee rewards, such as a music store, movie theater or restaurant. You give their discount certificate to your employees for rewards, and they use your tanning memberships for employee incentives. 

•     When hiring an attorney, make sure you have a written fee agreement to prevent surprises. It should include an estimate of the time to be spent on the requested service and specify what’s covered in the fee – including typing or copying – and what is not.

•     Shop around for prices. Even mundane purchases merit shopping around. If you quote a competitor’s lower price, a supplier or vendor will often match that price to gain your business.

      Small savings add up!