Neighbourhood day spa with a small team

Local residents marking a treat or a special occasion, couples, gift buyers, and nearby workplaces booking group or staff wellness days.

Per-treatment fees, multi-visit packages, memberships, gift cards and retail sales of skincare products. Revenue depends on how full your treatment rooms are.

• Hospitality and customer care
• Hiring and scheduling therapists
• Budgeting and pricing
• Local marketing and online booking

• Check provincial rules on who can perform massage therapy and esthetic treatments, as regulation varies by province
• Public health inspections for hygiene, laundry and equipment cleaning, check with your local health unit
• Commercial general liability and professional liability insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Deciding whether therapists are employees or self-employed, check CRA guidance
• In Quebec, check French-language requirements for signage and client materials
• High fixed costs such as rent, so quiet months can be hard, especially after the holiday season

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your premises, the number of treatment rooms and your equipment. High fixed costs such as rent mean it helps to plan for quieter months.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $12,000 to $60,000, depending on your size, pricing, number of therapists and how full your bookings are. Quiet periods, such as after the holiday season, can be harder.

Check provincial rules on who can perform massage therapy and esthetic treatments, plus public health inspections for hygiene and equipment cleaning. Also check insurance, WCB/WSIB coverage when you hire, CRA guidance on employees versus self-employed therapists, and Quebec French-language rules.