Franchise Information, advice and news.

Forget the perfect ten – the perfect tan is the look every beauty-conscious woman is striving for in the noughties. But getting those limbs sun-kissed can prove problematic in an age when we are all more aware of the hazards of exposure to the sun's harmful rays. We talk about health and beauty in the same breath – but what about when becoming more beautiful might actually harm your health?

The solution, of course, is hardly breaking news. Safe tanning on a salon sunbed is the ideal way to twin pampering with protection. Of course, the fake tan option is there too, but most women are looking for a more lasting solution than frantically dabbing on 'tan' from a bottle. They're also eager to get rid of those embarrassing strap marks, preferring the even, all-over coverage a tanning bed provides.

And slapping on lotion, with the attendant risks of streaking, doesn't compare to the experience of visiting a tanning salon. The luxury of a sunbed closely matches that blissed-out feeling of being suffused with the sun's rays.

So, for those tempted to join a tanning franchise, the opportunities are out there – and growing by the day.

Choosing your franchise takes research and time. The liquid capital requirement for your franchise will average out at around $100,000, although quotes on the market suggest it could be as little as $30,000 and rise as high as $500,000. Your franchise fee should average out at around $25,000, but it's important to shop around before making a commitment.

Your franchise firm should offer financial assistance and business development support. Depending on how independent you want to be, you may choose one which offers sales training, advertising expertise and a standard business model. The Tan Company explains: "We want to ensure that we are getting the most "bang for our buck" every month, and our strategically placed marketing programme guarantees this."

But if you find this hands-on approach intrusive, you might be better opting for a franchise which gives you more space to mould your own business. The room for flexibility and creativity will be greater – and so will the challenges.

Before you can get started, locating your site is critical. You'll have an idea of where you want to be based – perhaps having identified a gap in the market. But selecting a space that is functional, cheap to run and gives your customers the requisite sense of relaxation, is where expert advice comes in.

Some franchisees will choose to team up with a beautician, hairdresser or health club in a single space. This allows you to share custom, advertising jointly and promoting each other to customers coming through the door.

Whatever you decide to do, the business is in your hands. You are your own boss, and the opportunities for personal growth and career development are as limitless as your imagination.

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