Complementary therapy from a rented room

Adults looking for relaxation, stress relief and general wellbeing, who pay out of pocket. Some pay through employer wellness perks or gift certificates.

A fee per session, often 45 to 90 minutes, plus packages of several sessions and gift certificates. You can add retail extras such as oils or teas if local rules allow.

• Recognized training in your chosen modality
• Calm, professional manner with clients
• Basic bookkeeping and scheduling
• Clear boundaries about what you can and cannot treat

• Massage, bodywork and acupuncture are licensed in many states, check what your treatments count as locally
• Do not claim to diagnose, treat or cure medical conditions, keep your wording about wellness and relaxation
• Professional and general liability insurance, often available through therapy associations
• Local business license and sales tax rules if you sell products, check with your city, county and state
• Room rent is a fixed cost, so start with flexible hourly or day rates

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your training, equipment and room rental. Room rent is a fixed cost, so starting with flexible hourly or day rates may help. These figures are estimates, not guarantees.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many sessions you book and the rates you charge. This is revenue before room rent and other costs. Plan for at least about 12 hours a week.

Massage, bodywork and acupuncture are licensed in many states, so check what your treatments count as locally. Avoid claiming to diagnose, treat or cure medical conditions. Also check professional liability insurance and local business license and sales tax rules if you sell products.