Tanning Blog: Airbrush and Spray Tanning

Can You Buy A Business For $500?

What can you buy today for $500?

• A great stereo?
• A few Kobe beef steaks?
• A coffee maker?

What about a business with the potential to make you $71,000 a year? Let me explain...

...for $500, you could get started with a mobile spray tanning business

For the startup costs of $500, you get everything you need to create your own mobile spray tanning business. To be fair, $500 is a lot of money but let's quantify the upside of a mobile spray tanning business.

First, let's establish some basic formulas and some definitions...

• Revenues – Costs = Profits (aka, $$$).
• Revenue: Income earned from business activity.
• Cost (Cost of Goods): The amount paid for a good(s).
• Profit (Gross Profit): Excess revenue left over after subtracting cost(s).

Let's discuss a hypothetical mobile tanning business (let's call it Chloe's Tans) and the numbers involved...

Chloe’s Tans earned $4,500 in May of 2011 (revenue). Chloe paid $580 in May of 2011 for her business supplies, marketing, etc. (costs). At the end of the month, Chloe has $3,920 left over (gross profits).

How It Breaks Down...

At a minimum level, you can get everything you need to get a mobile spray tanning business for around $500. For more information on how to start your own mobile spray tanning business, click here.

Understanding The Mobile Spray Tanning Business...

The best way to understand the spray tanning market is download our 120-page book, Money Maker: Spray Tanning As A Business. It's the best, simplest way to understand the economics of the spray tanning business.

Start your mobile tanning business today!

Spray Tanning FAQs

It seems like every day, here at EnvyTan, we get asked the following five questions more than any others. With that in mind, here are the "big 5" frequently asked questions about spray tanning and the spray tanning industry...

Do I need a license and/or insurance to spray tan clients?

As of now, most states do not restrict the application of sunless tanners to cosmetologists or beauticians. However, it is always better to be safe than sorry, so you will want to check with your state Board of Cosmetology to be sure. You can locate this information by simply googling “Your State + Board of Cosmetology.” With respect to insurance, it is never a bad idea to protect against what could happen. We have been in business for quite some time and have never needed to file a claim for anything; however, I would highly recommend purchasing some type of liability insurance. You wouldn’t operate a vehicle without insurance, why would you run your company without it? Insurtec is a reputable specialty insurance vendor in this industry available here.

How do I get certified and trained as a professional spray tanning technician?

The best way to become certified as a sunless tanning technician is to get certified through EnvyTan Training Academy. To start your training, you may purchase a sunless tanning training video. However, the real training will come into play once you have your equipment and a couple of friends who are willing to be your training models. Be sure to use a training sunless tanning solution (Superficial or Withdrawal) during those first few attempts. Training solution has no DHA, so there are no lasting effects. In other words, when they shower, the color will completely wash off, and you can spray tan them over and over again until you feel comfortable with the application process.

Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention our Bargain Shopper: Spray Tanning Bundle. At $125, it's a bargain. You get:

• Show Off: Spray Tanning Training Video
• It's Official: National Course and Certification
• Preview: 15 Minute Guide To Spray Tanning
• Money Maker: Spray Tanning As A Business
• So Serious: Professional Guide to Spray Tanning

Additionally, you should read any available eBooks about spray tanning. Why would you want to reinvent the wheel? Learn from the pros.

What kind of sunless tanning equipment should I use?

Over the years I have learned that the right type of equipment for your tanning environment is much more important than the right brand of equipment. We carry the Apollo line, as they have been leaders in the field of HVLP technology for many decades and we know that our clients are always very satisfied with the equipment performance when using the Apollo line. There are many, many vendors selling equipment online, so shop around and make the best decision for you and your business model.

Who makes the best DHA sunless tanning solution?

This is a question that you could spend hours on the Internet trying to answer, so I will spare you that trouble. The answer is... drum roll please... no one company makes the best solution. If there were one solution on the market that was always considered the best, then every single sunless tanning company on the planet would sell it, because they are all trying to sell their customers the best sunless tanning solution available, right?

For only $35, you can purchase the Interested: Envy Solution Sampler Kit. This allows you to try both solution lines, before you purchase solution in a larger quantity.... What are you waiting for? Get started today!

 

HVLP Equipment: Upgrade

Another reason to upgrade to HVLP Equipment!

Last week, we talked about new equipment for the new year.

Well…here’s a point I missed.  I am often asked if you can use airbrush pens with HVLP turbines or HVLP guns with airbrush compressors. While you would think, in this day in age, technology would allow us to do so… it just doesn’t work that way.

In most places, the true “airbrush tan” is a thing of the past.  It takes FOR-EVER to apply—eating up a lot of time and solution.  HVLP Equipment ($275-$975) allows you to tan a client in minutes.  Double your clients; double your profits.  And since you are only using the equipment for a few minutes at a time, there’s not as much wasted solution!

Make the investment in a quality piece of HVLP equipment.  Leave the airbrushing to the nail techs.

HVLP Equipment: Deciding Which is Right for You

Listen up and listen up good! 

What better time to purchase new equipment than at the start of a new year?  Start your new year out right!  Perfect for everyone, EnvyTan offers four HVLP (high volume, low pressure) options so you can dip your toes in the spray tanning industry…or dive right in!  But how do you know which piece is right for you? 

You will find that it is much easier if you do some legwork before you begin making your purchases.  The answers to these seemingly simple questions will help you navigation the spray tanning tides.  Spend some time thinking about the following:

• Will I be a mobile technician or salon-based?
• Is this a full-time or part-time opportunity or a hobby?
• Will I be catering to spray tanning parties, wedding parties, dance troupes?

It is important to think about the number of tans you will most likely be applying in a day and how busy you will be. 

If you are just starting out and looking to apply only a few tans (not back-to-back) a day, the T100: The Understudy ($275) or the T500: The Head Liner ($575) would be ideal for you.  Both are easy to use and are portable.  The T500 has a very chic aluminum case, perfect for storing supplies for a mobile tech!

Whether you are looking to cater spray tanning parties, wedding parties or just want to be really, really busy, you will need to invest in a piece of equipment that can handle continuous (back-to-back) usage.  Check out the T700: The Performer ($675) or the TC3: The Show Stealer ($975).

If you are in a serene, spa setting, the TC3: The Show Stealer is the only way to go.  It is built into a soundproof box to reduce the volume—something else you should always take into consideration when purchasing equipment.

Since I had the opportunity to jump back in the technician’s seat earlier this week, I’ve been thinking a lot about my favorite piece of equipment.  If I had it to do over again, I’d start with the T700: The Performer!  It’s my personal favorite!  Why?  Perhaps because I can use it all day without overheating it.  Maybe because it’s small enough to be portable which maintaining its professional, “workhorse of the industry” attitude.  Or maybe because it’s so user-friendly.

Having trouble deciding which piece is right for you?  Give our EnvyTan representatives a call at 866-368-9826 or drop us an email at questions@envytan.com.

Isn’t time to upgrade?

 

HVLP Equipment: Too Noisy?

 

 

What should you do if your equipment is suddenly too noisy for your salon?

Let me preface this article by saying that the *only* piece of HVLP equipment we recommend for use in a salon, particularly in a spa setting, is the TC3: The Show Stealer. Why? Because it is built into a soundproof box.

I know, I know…but you’re just starting out. So maybe you’re not at the top of your game; or maybe you’re not looking for top of the line equipment just yet.

In general, you will find all HVLP (high volume, low pressure) equipment to be loud. Most people equate it the noise a vacuum cleaner makes. Some equipment has the ability to change the volume by adjusting the “Solid State Control” knob. Of course, this may change the spray pattern, so it’s not always ideal.

Each piece of HVLP is perfect in its own right. The T100: The Understudy is great for the beginner, or traveling technician. It’s lightweight and highly portable. The T500: The Head Liner is also great for beginners and gives a professional appearance in its shiny, aluminum travel case (on wheels). The T100 and T500 are not meant for continuous spray; you should allow about 10 minutes of cool-down time between clients. The T700: The Performer and the TC3: The Show Stealer are the big boys. Both can be run all day without overheating. They are both portable, though we recommend a small handcart for transporting the TC3, as it is the largest of our HVLP equipment.

But back to my original point…

So you purchased the T100 a few months ago when you were starting out. And now you’ve partnered with a salon for a permanent locale…and your T100 is just a bit too loud for the customers’ liking. What can you do?!

You have a few options.

First, if your new tanning space has a closet or adjoining room, place the compressor in the separate room and run the hose through the wall. If you have a drop-ceiling, you can also mount the equipment above the ceiling tiles, dropping the hose down from above. Technicians who choose these options typically put their equipment on remote-controlled power systems.

Another option is to encase your equipment in a box to reduce the sound. Boxes can be built by the technician or purchased from the equipment manufacturers. If you choose to build one, you should leave 6-8” inches of space on all sides of the equipment. You should also consider ventilation and air flow when you are building the box. Build the box to incorporate furnace filters which reduce the noise, while allowing for air to circulate around the motor. You do not want you equipment to overheat—which can shorten its life.

If neither option is feasible, try selling your current equipment on sites like eBay. Then purchase a piece more suitable for your new environment!

For more information on HVLP equipment, check out our HVLP Equipment/Supplies category. My personal recommendation? The T700: The Performer.

 

Equipment: Cleaning Your Equipment

Many of you good technicians know you need to clean your equipment on a regular (daily) basis.  And I’m hoping that you do.  Although I have shared this in other posts before, I’m going to do it again, as there has been some confusing information floating around in cyberspace.

When you clean your equipment, use The Cleaner: HVLP Gun Cleaning Solution.  If you follow this blog, or have read previous articles, you know that you can cut this solution with water to make it go further.

Ahhh…but what kind of water to use?

Definitely not tap water.  Water from the faucet may contain minerals that can be damaging to your equipment—especially during prolonged exposure.

So now the big question becomes “Bottled Water or Distilled Water?”

And now the big answer:

…drum roll please…

While both are considered safe, if given the option, always choose distilled!   

Distilled water is the purest form of water available.  Even though bottled water goes through several rigorous filtration processes, distilled water has less chlorine and ammonia (which can be harmful to the equipment).

Keep your equipment in tip top shape and your business boomin’!  The Cleaner: HVLP Gun Cleaning Solution is available in the HVLP Equipment/Supplies section of our EnvyStore.  It is available in both 16 ounce and one gallon bottles!