Sports massage from a rented treatment room

Gym members, recreational and competitive athletes, people referred by physios or coaches, and clients with extended health benefits.

A fee per treatment, with regular clients booking weekly or monthly. You pay rent as a flat fee, a share of income or by the day, and may be able to issue receipts for insurance claims if registered.

• Recognized massage therapy training
• Assessing and treating muscle problems
• Building referral relationships
• Basic bookkeeping and scheduling

• Some provinces regulate massage therapy, and insurers often only reimburse registered therapists, so check your provincial regulator
• Professional and general liability insurance, plus what the host's insurance does and does not cover
• Read rental or revenue-share terms closely, including notice periods and who owns client records
• A municipal business licence may be needed, check with your municipality
• Whether your services are exempt from GST/HST or you need to register, check with the Canada Revenue Agency
• Rent is due even in quiet months, so build a client base before committing to full days
• Training costs are not included in the startup estimate

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $2,500 to $8,000, depending on your equipment, insurance and the room you rent. Training costs are not included in that estimate.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how full your diary is and your rates. Rent is due even in quiet months, so build a client base before committing to full days.

Check your provincial regulator, since some provinces regulate massage therapy and insurers often only reimburse registered therapists. Review rental or revenue-share terms, what the host's insurance covers, any municipal business licence, and whether your services are GST/HST exempt.