Small neighbourhood day spa

Locals treating themselves, people buying gift vouchers, couples, and groups such as birthday or hens parties.

Fees per treatment and package, gift vouchers, and extra sales of skincare and retail products. Regular clients and memberships help keep rooms booked.

• Qualified massage or beauty therapy skills (or the ability to hire therapists)
• Customer service and a calm, welcoming manner
• Booking, rostering and basic bookkeeping
• Local marketing and social media

• Council approval or change of use for the premises, and any fit-out requirements
• Public liability and professional indemnity insurance for all treatments
• Hygiene and infection control rules, which vary by state, so check your state health department
• Staff qualifications, workers compensation insurance and award wages once you hire
• Rent and fit-out costs can be high before bookings build up
• GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your premises, fit-out and equipment. These are estimates only. Rent and fit-out costs can be high before bookings build up, so plan your budget carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on how many treatment rooms you run, your staffing and how busy your bookings are. That is revenue before rent, wages and other costs.

Check council approval or change of use for your premises and any fit-out requirements. Also check public liability and professional indemnity insurance, your state's hygiene and infection control rules, staff qualifications, workers compensation, award wages and GST registration.