What does it take to build a successful salon? To answer this question, we met up with one of our most successful salon owners, Josh from Kokomos, to uncover the secrets behind his thriving business.
How it Started
Josh’s journey with Kokomos began on his 17th birthday when he was hired at the Sarnia location. It didn’t take long for him to discover his passion for the tanning industry. In 2002, while studying business, Josh was given an opportunity as the Chatham location was put up for sale. Seeing this as a chance to turn his passion into a career, Josh and his business partner decided to leave college and take on the challenge of running the salon. By 2003, they successfully took over the Chatham Kokomos, marking the start of their successful business venture. Josh would later acquire all three Kokomos locations, including the Sarnia location where it all began, achieving his most significant milestone yet.
The Secrets to Kokomos’ Success
But what really sets Kokomos apart? According to Josh, the secret to Kokomos’ success lies within three key factors: exceptional customer service, top-of-the-line equipment, and a focus on cleanliness.
Josh believes customer service has become a lost art, and he strives to provide the best experience with an old-school mentality, prioritizing genuine care and attention. “You want to go somewhere you know and trust, and that’s what we strive to be,” he says. To build rapport and trust, Josh ensures that every new customer receives an in-depth walkthrough of the equipment, allowing them to make informed decisions about their tanning needs.
The quality of beds at Kokomos is another point of pride. Josh ensures all equipment is meticulously maintained, including replacing bulbs before they burnout, so customers always receive the best possible experience. He’s especially proud of his top-of-the-line sunbeds, as they are always the busiest, like the Vitality Alpha 7900 and Prestige 1600, which motivates him to invest in the best equipment the industry offers continually.
In addition, Kokomos offers a wide selection of lotions, with 30 to 40 options available to meet the diverse needs of his customers. With an average lotion sale price of $80-90, lotion sales significantly contribute to the business’s success.
Cleanliness is also a non-negotiable priority at Kokomos. Josh understands that customers need to feel confident that their sunbeds are spotless and hygienic. He goes above and beyond to ensure that the salon exceeds those expectations.
Partnering with UVALUX
Kokomos’ success would not be where it is without its business relationship with UVALUX. Josh emphasizes the importance of this relationship, stating, “UVALUX has helped Kokomos in every way. I look at them, obviously, as our supplier but also as a business partner because without the relationships that I have with them and the products and services that they provide, we have nothing”. This collaboration has been instrumental in driving Kokomos’ growth, ensuring that the salon consistently offers the best to its customers. Whether providing state-of-the-art equipment, expert advice, or exceptional customer support, UVALUX has been a key in Kokomos’ journey to becoming a standout in the tanning industry.
Overcoming Challenges
With all of Kokomos’s success, there have been some challenges along the way. Overcoming these hurdles has allowed Kokomos to be the successful salon it has grown to be. Every salon owner can expect to face issues like broken acrylics and lamps. Still, while they may be a nuisance, they are a part of the business, and staying on top of repairs is essential. However, Josh finds time management to be the most difficult challenge. Running multiple successful salons requires juggling time between family, work obligations, and unexpected demands.
Slow periods are another expected challenge, but Josh overcomes this by offering promotions and increasing advertising efforts. He also finds that memberships are a significant asset, helping to sustain the business during slower months.Although Josh has encountered setbacks and made mistakes, he wouldn’t change a thing because he firmly believes that mistakes are valuable learning opportunities. “You learn more from failure than success,” he says, “and sometimes trial and error is the best way to succeed.”
Continuous Improvement
Without improvement, you will become stagnant. Josh is motivated to continually improve his business by striving to be the best in the industry. “The journey of being the best is a journey that never ends. You need to continue to reinvest in yourself through training and in your business,” he says.
Josh’s latest focus is on adding wellness into his salons, recognizing the growing trend in the industry: “Red light is the way the industry is going. I don’t foresee buying anything without red light or wellness in the future, as it is in a completely different lane that people love. It opens up to 365-degree tanning, causing more tanning in the summer,” he explains. Josh began his journey into the wellness side in 2019 by adding hybrid beds, and he looks forward to adding more wellness equipment in the future, such as the Cocoon or any other equipment affiliated with Red Light.
Beyond business, Josh is also deeply motivated by his desire to provide for his family, fueling his passion for continuous improvement and innovation.
Conclusion
Josh’s journey with Kokomos proves what can be accomplished with passion, dedication, and continuous learning. From starting as an employee at 17 to becoming a leader in the industry, he has transformed challenges into opportunities for growth. As Josh continues to push the boundaries of what his salons can offer, it’s clear that Kokomos’ future is as bright as ever. Through strong partnerships, a focus on customer service, and a forward-thinking approach to wellness, Josh is not just keeping up with the industry; he’s setting the standard.