Moving away from modern medicine, many people have started looking to alternative therapies and holistic approaches to getting healthy from the inside out. For those who may have dreamed of one day owning a spa of their own, there is no time like the present to take advantage of this growing trend. Seeing as how people want to pamper themselves when feeling down, there is plenty of potential for success. Excited, but not sure where to start? Here are some tips below:
Determine Your Services
One of the first things you should consider is types of services offered. Body treatments, massages, and skin care are the broad categories of services you can offer at your new spa. When considering services think of factors like your personal area of expertise, your ideal clients, and the initial investment costs. You may opt to specialize in one area or you may choose to mix and match your services to add uniqueness to your brand. Some of the most common services found in spas include:
- Facials
- Massages
- Wraps and packs for cellulite
- Hydrotherapy
- Tanning
- Hair removal
- Cosmetics
- Eyelash and eyebrow services
- Ear piercings
Make a List of Equipment Needed
Now, fully aware of what services you intend to offer, you’ll need to figure out which equipment you’ll need to invest in. While services like massages and facials can be cheap to invest in only requiring massage tables and a few chairs, other services you may opt to offer at your spa can be more. For instance, if you were thinking of hydrotherapy services, you’d need to not only invest in expensive massage equipment, but you’d also need to invest in things like plumbing. To try and cut back on the costs, consider checking with salons or spas that are going out of business or simply upgrading their furniture. You may be able to get a good deal on gently used items for your new business. You can also look for spa equipment like a massage table online where it would be cheaper.
Find a Good Location
Outside of deciding on a name and choosing the services you’ll offer, one of the most important decisions you’ll make with regards to your spa is the location. The location of a business can mean the difference between a successful shop and one that doesn’t last more than a year. Choose a location that is easily accessible by car or public transportation, in a popular area near other retailers, and that is safe for your customers to visit.
Think About Financing
You’ve organized your ideas for your spa and even found a location you’d love to set up shop. The next step would be covering the costs. If you don’t already have enough money saved up to fund your startup spa, you’ll need to look at other avenues. Some options might include:
- Small business loans
- Business lines of credit
- Crowdfunding
Set Up Your Spa
Once you’ve gotten the funding you need to cover the initial costs of running your day spa, you’re ready to set up. If you have the money to invest, you can work with an interior designer to help create an oasis that your customers are excited to visit. If you need to hire staff, now would be the time to do so. This will provide you with time to vet and train your new staff before your grand opening. Now is also the time to begin working on your marketing. You want to get the word out about your spa prior to your launch date. You can leave flyers about trendy services like anti-aging hand treatments with neighboring retailers, post ads on social media, and send out postcards to members of the community.
Starting a spa now or in the future is the perfect business idea. As stress doesn’t seem to be subsiding anytime soon, you can almost guarantee you won’t go out of business. If you’re in the initial stages of planning, the above-mentioned factors are important to consider. Start by identifying what services you’ll offer, what equipment you’ll need, and how much it will cost. Then, find the perfect place and begin to set up shop.
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