Your own chinese medicine clinic

Local adults and families who pay per visit, often returning for a course of treatment, plus some people referred by other health professionals.

Fees for consultations and treatments, herbal prescriptions where permitted, and packages. Growth comes from more treatment hours, extra practitioners or room rental to other therapists.

• Recognized training in acupuncture or traditional Chinese medicine
• Managing a small business and its finances
• Building trust with clients and local health professionals
• Hiring and supervising staff if you grow

• Registration with the provincial regulator is often required to practise, so check before you sign a lease
• Commercial lease terms, fit-out costs and any municipal licensing or inspection requirements
• Professional liability and commercial general liability insurance, plus WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Health Canada rules for natural health products and any limits on how you can store or sell herbs
• Infection control and sharps disposal requirements from your regulator and public health unit
• Slow early months while you build a client base, so keep cash reserves
• Quebec has its own regulator and French-language requirements

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $25,000 to $80,000, depending on your lease, fit-out, equipment and herbal dispensary. Treat this as an estimate and get your own quotes before signing a lease.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on the number of treatment rooms, your hours and your client base. Early months can be slow while you build clients, so keep cash reserves.

Check whether provincial regulator registration is required before you sign a lease. Also check lease terms, municipal licensing or inspections, liability insurance, WCB/WSIB once you hire, Health Canada rules for natural health products, and infection control and sharps disposal requirements.