Local Entrepreneur Delivers Next Level of Indoor Tanning Services
November 01, 2007 // Franchising.com // COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - Recognizing the void for indoor tanning services tailored towards the professional lifestyle, Wade Barker has opened Colorado Springs' first indoor tanning salon for Executive Tans, a dominant force in the $7 billion indoor tanning industry.
Barker, a former Wall Street Software Analyst for Invesco, grew up in Colorado and wanted to start his own business. Colorado Springs, though a host for other tanning salons, did not have a salon that offered the entire experience.
Located in the Fuller Center Shopping Center at 7541 N. Academy Boulevard, Barker's Executive Tans Spa is touting differences like massage beds, aqua massagers and aroma therapy in addition to the tanning beds. His salon, unlike others in the area, has focused on being tidier and most importantly, driving more solid results.
"I believe our offerings go above and beyond my competitors in the areas of cleanliness, results, ambiance and overall experience," Barker said. "We have taken steps to ensure our spa is the frontrunner in Colorado Springs."
Established in 1991 in Colorado, Executive Tans now has 72 open locations in 16 markets throughout the United States and an additional 31 in development. Attracting men and women alike with a professional, upscale mindset, the fast-growing franchise has tripled its units in the past two years and boosted total sales from about $1 million in 2000 to more than $10 million in 2002.
"Unlike many of the existing salons in the area, we have the best beds in Colorado Springs," Barker said. "Many salons will exhaust their beds' bulbs - letting them run for 100-200 hours past the bulbs lifespan. Instead, my Executive Tans Spa would replace those same bulbs in advance of their expiration; ensuring a quality tan and better experience every time."
Barker's spas are impeccably clean and designed for ultimate relaxation. He has combined textures and colors, along with stellar beds that use an average of 20 more bulbs of similar wattage than his competitors, to achieve an ambiance that is easily recognizable to newcomers and consistently appreciated by returning customers.
Executive Tans is poised for explosive growth throughout the United States, projecting 300 franchises by 2006. Currently, Executive Tans averages a new salon opening every six days and projects $22 to $25 million in gross revenues system wide for next year.
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