Additionally, the likelihood of your target audience using the Internet and responding to your marketing efforts should also be considered into the equation. This article will outline the potential for success in an Internet marketing campaign. Read more ...

Having produced the annual Day Spa Expo in Las Vegas for the past five years, Patrick Witherspoon, President of Bentley International Group explains why the need for regional events. “Request from attendees has prompted us to plan a series of regional events to bring the Day Spa Expo and Business Forum closer to their area. With the financial restraints being what they are, it makes sense for attendees not to incur a lot of travel expenses to see what’s new for the Spa and Salon industry. Atlanta has been slated for the first regional event because of its proximity to major cities that are within a short distance from Atlanta.  A three to four hour (or less) drive includes: Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. A short flight widens the range for many more attendees from the Eastern Seaboard, the Midwest and other USA regions”, stated Witherspoon. Read more …

June 9, 2010 from Surface Medical Spas

1. Before anything else, speak to your state’s accreditation department to learn the state laws about laser technicians. Each State’s rules can vary. For instance, CA only allows doctors, physician’s assistants and RNs to carry out a cosmetic laser treatment. Some states require immediate direction from a medical doctor throughout each procedure.

2. Develop your business plan. From it, point out tips on nearby competition and their procedures, together with insights on how you intend to be competitive. Build a new expense plan of estimated purchases to include the Intense pulsed light and cosmetic lasers, (you should evaluate all of the newest cosmetic laser reviews and look into used cosmetic lasersbefore buying), the expense of renting a medical clinic along with all of the essential features, procuring a doctor to work on your workers, obtaining education as well as the required permits, and lastly advertising your laser clinic. Figure out how you are going to procure financing for your company, like a credit union or bank loan, close friends, or maybe an angel investor.

3. Depending upon the specific state, become a registered laser technician and / or Master Esthetician. Choose a credentialed education course which allows for hands-on training. Learn the biology for the dermis and hair, possible effects, laser configurations, hair growth cycles and ways in which to help assist customers about dealing with their skincare before every chemical peel, injection or cosmetic laser treatment.

4. Establish your laser clinic or medical spa as being a C corporation or limited liability company. Register your corporation with the state, obtain a Federal Tax number and purchase liability insurance for your medical spa business.

5. Rent the location for your medspa. Move into an old dermatologist’s medical practice or find acceptable space to make a waiting room, reception area and back office, meeting room, and procedure room.

6. Hire the team. At the very least, a new med spa team includes a assistant, a laser technician or esthetician to operate the laser, plus a physician to oversee operations. Your state will determine the degree of involvement essential from your medical director. He might only oversee treatments and be around in the event of a serious event, or be needed to be in the room for each and every procedure.

7. Buy an FDA-approved laser or IPL. Lasers range from the Ruby, Alexandrite laser, to the Diode, along with Intense Pulsed light (IPL) or CO2 fractional lasers. Various lasers respond in different ways to certain skin types. Communicate with top rated manufacturers such as Candela, Cynosure, Cutera, Lumenis, Syneron, ESC Sharplan, Palomar and Sciton to make it easier to find a cosmetic laser. Once you’ve purchased your laser, have your main office staff go through the education supplied from the laser company. It will be important to pay for separate instruction for each technology.

The beauty salon is a strong business to be in these days. Not only are ladies interested in maintaining their looks and making themselves look more attractive, but in many regions men are inclined to spend a good amount on facial and hair care also. It isn’t a business sector geared just towards women any longer. Broadening the customer base provides the ability for more people to successfully start their own beauty salon because there are a broad variety of people utilizing these services on a regular basis.

Starting Up your own beauty salon can be as easy as setting up to see clients in your basement. Read more …

Spa and Salon Software Can Manage Many Facets of Your Business

Spa appointment software is beneficial in that it keeps a cohesive record of appointments in one place. These programs can also track employees, as well as their hours and sales, along with the list of their clients and what procedures those particular clients had. Software can even give discounts and keep track of specials that employees are charging their customers. The sales of the employees can  be tracked; there are bar code readers and gift card capabilities of some of the software programs.

Software has the capability to track employee sales commissions, hourly wages, insurance deductions, federal and state withholdings, print checks and tax forms. The computer can act like a register and print sales receipts, sales reports, and track the operator and the sales.

Track Client Information

Client files are tracked with software, it keeps the clients history, contact information, purchases and visits. The software also stores inventory control, generates bar codes and price labels. It  helps with marketing by printing or sending, postcards, letters, birthday cards, specials and anniversaries. It allows the computer systems to automatically back up and it keeps track of sales tax.

Track Advertisements and Promotions

A spa relies on advertisement, word of mouth and quality services, and with the software management system all of these are taken into consideration and they are catered to. The best way to increase sales and employee satisfaction is to keep track of behavior and sales. This can open a door for improvement and higher quality.

For Large and Small Businesses

Any successful business keeps record of its employees, products and clients and the best way to do that is with a software management program. There are different types of programs available that can keep track of large spas and small ones. The programs are equipped to track as few as one and up to dozens of employees, and it can track hundreds and thousands of clients. Every spa owner wants to be able to drum up new business by being able to offer the most advanced techniques and services to their client. That is where word of mouth and more business comes from.

Try Some Free Demos Today!

If you’re interested in the software that’s available you can try a salon software free demo from a variety of providers. See what’s out there and hopefully you’ll find a package that’s perfect for your spa or salon!

From IT/Technology Tech! – Q&A

A comprehensive medical spa practice business plan is the vital first step in building a successful business in the medical spa industry. Without a business plan, spa owners could not apply for loans or government grants. A business plan for a medical spa practice is an operational and financial map of how the spa practice will be operated. It will detail the licensing required and give an account of the costs involved. For additional guidance on researching and creating a business plan, visit the free on-line business plan programs offered through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Read more …

The complete, detailed agenda can be accessed here:

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IECSC Las Vegas 2010 began early, with a full education program on multiple tracks.  No matter what the type of beauty business you are in, there was something for everyone.  The Advanced Education Workshops featured multiple classes within the track of Spa Business, Wellness, Solo Practitioner, Medical Esthetics Business, Medical Esthetics Procedures, and Makeup, in addition to 3-hour Advanced Education Workshops, Cidesco and ASTECC continuing education, and there were also dozens of Manufacturer classes. Read more ...