Solo spa studio in a rented treatment room

Local clients looking for regular self-care, gift buyers, and people who want a quieter alternative to a big spa.

Per-treatment fees, treatment bundles and gift cards, plus a few retail products. Your costs are mainly room rent, supplies and laundry.

• A recognized qualification in massage or esthetics
• Client care and rebooking
• Online booking and social media
• Keeping a treatment room spotless

• Provincial regulation of massage therapy and esthetics, check with your provincial regulator or college
• Professional and general liability insurance, and check whether the host's policy covers you
• Public health hygiene rules for treatment rooms, check with your local health unit
• Read the room agreement carefully, including notice period, hours and shared laundry or storage
• Check whether you need a municipal business licence, and when to register for GST/HST
• Slower winter months, so plan your cash for quieter weeks

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $5,000 to $20,000, depending on your room rent, equipment and products. Reading the room agreement carefully will help you understand your ongoing costs.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $10,000, depending on your treatment menu, prices and how often you are booked. Winter months can be slower, so plan your cash for quieter weeks.

Check how massage therapy and esthetics are regulated in your province with the regulator or college. Also check hygiene rules with your local health unit, whether the host's insurance covers you, any municipal business licence, and when to register for GST/HST.