Massage therapy from a rented treatment room

Office workers, active people, people with aches and stress, and gift voucher buyers. Some clients claim treatments through workplace health plans.

Price per session (for example 60 or 90 minutes), plus add-ons like hot stones or cupping. Packages and memberships help bring clients back.

• Recognised massage training
• Good listening and client care
• Booking and record keeping

• Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) title and rules vary by province, check your provincial regulator
• Professional liability insurance and commercial general liability, and whether the host's cover includes you
• Check with the Canada Revenue Agency whether your services are GST/HST exempt or taxable
• Rental costs are fixed, so slow months can hurt before you have regulars

Estimates suggest startup costs typically run around $2,000 to $7,000, depending on the room rental terms, your table and supplies, and insurance. Renting inside an existing clinic or spa avoids the cost of a full premises.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on how many clients you build up and how many hours you work. The estimate assumes at least 12 hours a week. Room rent is a fixed cost to cover.

Check how the Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) title and rules apply in your province with your provincial regulator. Also check your professional liability and general liability insurance, whether the host's cover includes you, and GST/HST treatment with the CRA.