Spa treatment room in a shared suite

Local residents wanting regular self-care, gift certificate buyers and returning clients who book monthly.

Fees per treatment, add-on upgrades, retail skincare products and memberships or prepaid packages for repeat clients.

• State-licensed in esthetics, massage or both
• Client care and rebooking
• Basic bookkeeping and marketing

• State licensing for each service you offer, and some states license the space too, check your board
• Monthly rent is due even in slow weeks
• General and professional liability insurance
• Health and sanitation rules for linens, equipment and products
• Sales tax on retail products, check with your state

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your rent deposit, equipment, linens and product supplies. Remember that monthly rent is due even in slow weeks.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on how many clients you book and your treatment prices. These are revenue figures, not profit, and the estimates assume at least about 15 hours a week.

Check state licensing for each service you offer, and whether your state also licenses the space, through your state board. Check health and sanitation rules for linens, equipment and products, sales tax on retail products, and insurance.