Tech Tune-Up with Dimitra Theodoridis
There are many different sides to running a salon. Management skills, product knowledge, administrative tasks, and equipment maintenance only scratch the surface of the daily tasks of a tanning boss. That’s why choosing the right partner for your business is so important. Here at Heartland, we have in-house staff ready to help with any of these aspects.
Today, we are bringing a little insight into the equipment side of Heartland. Did you know that we used to manufacture equipment? Did you also know that while we no longer manufacture units, we still have a dedicated staff available to help with maintenance questions and refurbishing used equipment?
One of our techs, Dimitra Theodoridis, has a lifetime of knowledge working on equipment. There is probably no question she has not heard before. “I had someone call in about making a device to tan show pigs,” Dimitra said when asked about the strangest call she had received, so I promise no question is too out there for our team.
So, let’s get into what salon owners should keep in mind when it comes to equipment maintenance. Equipment is the life source of a tanning salon, and ensuring that you and your staff are well-equipped for any situation is key to a successful salon. To stay prepared, we recommend building a comprehensive budget for things like routine lamp changes and acrylic replacements, both of which can vary based on the type and amount of equipment in your salon. “A general fund of $500-1000 for maintenance, repairs, or extra on-hand parts. This varies by number of units and type. Even if you don’t separate it, be mindful that these expenses can happen.” Dimitra recommends.
So, what are some things to look out for to make sure you are addressing concerns before you have a full-blown emergency on your hands? If you or your staff notice any of the following when using or cleaning your equipment, you should take a closer look:
• Having to take extra steps to start a session
• Complaints of overheating in the equipment or the room
• Needing to reset the breaker multiple times
• Any unusual smells
The best way to get the highest ROI from your equipment is to keep it running for as long as possible. The longer its lifespan, the more services it can provide. This creates more lifetime value for your equipment. So, how do you keep your beds running as long as possible? “Like any appliance or heavy machinery, regular preventative maintenance will decrease the likelihood of major failures and help you find potential ones before it’s urgent.” If you never do an oil change on your car, it’s not going to make it very far. Staying on top of all your maintenance in the salon will help ensure you have reliable equipment for a long, long time.
One more thing to leave you with: Maintenance and checkups don't need to be super time-consuming. I asked Dimitra what's something all salon owners should go look at today that is often overlooked, and she said, “Anything the customer touches. Knobs, buttons, switches, movements of the door or canopy. Those are what wear out the fastest.” Checking these can be as simple as taking 60 seconds out of your day to verify that everything is working smoothly.
Day-to-day salon work is busy enough; the last thing you need is equipment complications. If problems do arise, know that Heartland has your back! You can also check out our Quick Guide for recommendations on regular salon maintenance.