Helping people with the purchase of spray tan equipment, whether it is for their homes, salon and spa businesses or even mobile tanning, has been a pleasure of mine.  This time of year I am helping more salons than ever before, in the purchase new equipment for there businesses. But it is the small personal businesses which are looking to get started that I would like to focus on in this blog today. There are many challenges and questions that need to be answered before even the purchase of equipment itself. So lets ask the big questions and see if a mobile tanning business is right for you.

Question One: Who will be my competition and how are there services? Research is key for your local areas. You need to know what others are doing and what type of deals and services they perform. Remember they already have a place of business that is viewed in your area and already have some marketing in play. So you need to be creative and know how to step it up an notch. Don't just do this one time but research your competition often to see what they are doing new. I always think it is best to come up with at least one new idea a month.
Question Two: What type of marketing can I do and how much do I have to spend? Many of your clients at first will come from word of mouth spread by your friends and family and there are many things you can do there in speading the word. But to make a successful business, you always need to bring in new clients. Check local papers, radios, bulletins, billboards, and other local medias to find what is working for others. Also look online for local listing and place your business in some of them. With more people having the web at their finger tips, you can't go wrong there. Know what you have to spend and stick with a budget for several months and try different things. Have those friends also helping you out, they won't mind giving a review or giving a card out here and there. They want you to succeed.
Question Three: How much time are you looking to invest and how far will you go? With mobile tanning, your on the go, so you need to be flexible with your hours as much as possible. You also need to know how far in your local areas you will travel since this also deals with your time. Stick with certain areas and don't travel outside of them unless it is really worth it (say a taning party or something big). Keep plenty of time between appointment so your never late and make sure you always have clear direction to where your going. Trust me, getting lost and being late, is not professional.
Question Four: What do I need to know for my business and the education of skincare? Spray tanning is about skincare and a look people are trying to procieve. They want to look good and knowing about skin type and issues will really help you along the way. You don't need to know everything but learn the basic skin types and about skin tones. Common issues like breakouts, dry skin, oily skin, and even skin cancers and knowing what products can help with each will give your clients a respect for you and what you do. It doesn't matter if the client know about a certain treatment or not, they will be grateful that you know and at least care more about them than just a spray tan session. So do your homework, write notes, or even get pamplets from local dermatoligist office to help you and your clients. Finding a online training course for spray tanning is always good because they have many of these topics covered.
Question Five: Do you have the right additude to be a tanning professional? You might wonder why I ask this but it is a question that should be asked. People who succeed in this business are outgoing, friendly, and can show a positive and professional manner. Who you are in your business, will in the end having them come back again and again. Your clients will want to like you and be comfortable about letting you in there homes and the privacy you can offer them. You have to give of yourself and at the same time know when to hold back. Your business will strive in not only what you have to offer them in a product and service but as a friend.

Even though there are only five questions, they are very big ones. You have to commit to each one of them if your going to be a successful mobile business. Mobile tanning can be fun and interesting and has shown me many rewards. But it starts with you and only you can make it a success. So know your stuff and lay the ground work before purchasing equipment. Buying equipment and supplies is quiet easy compared to all the other. And there are many professionals online to help you along the way.