How to Start a Spa Business?

Starting a spa business can be a rewarding experience for passionate dedicated individuals. Starting a spa is not as simple as renting a space and offering services to clients. There are several important steps to follow to ensure success in the highly competitive spa industry.

Essential First Steps in Starting a Spa

Starting a spa means wearing different hats. As a sole proprietor entrepreneur, partner or principal owner, business skills are essential for success. 

1. Develop a Business Plan: The first step in starting a spa business is to create a comprehensive business plan. This should include mapping out the target market, services that will be offered, a marketing strategy, operating procedures, financial projections, and a detailed budget. The business plan will be a blueprint for success when starting a spa. 
2. Target Market: Identifying a target market is primary to developing a successful spa business. A deep dive into demographics will determine location choices, hours of operation, hiring choices and services price points. To get the answers to these questions these facts need to be answered: 

• Who will be the primary customers? 
• What services are they seeking? spa 
• What is the age range, gender, and income level of the potential clients?

3. Choose a Location: As in real estate, when starting a spa, the location is critical to its success. It should be easily accessible and visible to potential customers. The data gathered during the marketing research will help pinpoint the location based on the area demographics, the competition, and the cost of rent.
4. Determine Your Services: The services offer will be the foundation of the spa and its appeal to the client demos selected. Consider offering unique services that set the spa apart from others. The FIT Bodywrap Infrared Sauna System is a futuristic innovation that new and established spas can offer with a minimal investment, low installation cost, small footprint, and continuing income stream. 

Putting the Foundation in Place when Starting a Spa

Once the business plan is in place, the services decided, and the location selected it’s time to lay the foundation.

• Hire Staff: Hire licensed and experienced professionals who are people friendly, courtesy, and client focused. Think about each planned service and be sure that there is a people friendly person to perform the services as well as the necessary support staff.
• Purchase Equipment and Supplies: Purchase high-quality equipment and supplies that are cost effective with warranties and serviceability in mind. The equipment reflects the professionalism of the spa. 
• Develop a Marketing Strategy: Develop a marketing strategy to reach a target market and attract new customers. Consider advertising in local newspapers, magazines, and online. In the 21^st century, YOU MUST have a website and app for appointment bookings and essential information for clients. 
• Set Your Prices: Determine the prices for services based on the target market, the cost of labor, equipment and supplies, as well as the prices of competitive services. When setting prices, the cost of the location, insurance, taxes, licenses, and all overhead need to be considered. Tie unique services such as the FIT Bodywarp Infrared Sauna experience together with essentials such as massage or manicure. 
• Obtain Licenses and Permits: These will vary depending on location, they may include business licenses, health department permits, and insurance.

Ready to Go Start with a soft opening to work out any bugs in the system and address any weak links. Invite your friends, family, and target market to a soft opening event to showcase your services and introduce your business to the community. Starting a spa business will be a challenging and rewarding experience. Stay focused on the goal, and remember it is something you enjoy, but in it not a hobby it is a new career. The spa business that provides customers with the relaxation and rejuvenation they seek; must also produce a profit.