Small aesthetics studio in a rented room

Local clients who want a professional setting, plus walk-ins from foot traffic and people booking gift cards or special-occasion treatments.

Treatment fees, skincare product sales and packages, with room to add a second practitioner or extra treatment rooms over time.

• Skin care, waxing and treatment technique
• Running a small business and managing costs
• Marketing and social media
• Customer service

• Provincial esthetician licensing and any facility licensing, so check with your regulator
• Business licence, zoning and signage rules from your municipality
• Public health inspection requirements for sanitation, so check with your local public health unit
• Commercial lease commitments and fixed monthly rent before you have regular clients
• Commercial general liability insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire staff
• Tanning equipment rules can differ by province, so check before offering it

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the room or unit, fit-out, equipment and stock. Check lease commitments, since fixed monthly rent starts before you have regular clients.

Check provincial esthetician licensing and any facility licensing with your regulator, plus municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules. Also check public health inspection requirements, insurance, WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire staff, and provincial tanning equipment rules.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on client numbers, treatments offered and retail sales. Estimates also suggest at least about 25 hours a week.