Start a Small Wellness Studio in Rented Rooms

Local adults looking for stress relief, recovery and regular movement, plus nearby office workers and gift buyers.

Fees per treatment or class, with packages and memberships for regulars. You can also charge practitioners a room rental fee or take a share of their session income.

• Hands-on wellness or teaching skills, or the ability to hire people who have them
• Scheduling and organizing
• Customer service and local marketing

• Massage therapists and many other practitioners need a state license, so check your state licensing board before anyone works with clients
• General liability and professional liability insurance for you and for anyone working in your space
• Lease terms and zoning for your use; check with your city or county about business licenses and any certificate of occupancy
• Decide early whether practitioners are employees or independent contractors, and check IRS and state rules, including workers' compensation once you hire
• Be careful with health claims in your marketing; stick to relaxation and fitness rather than medical promises

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on your space, setup and how many rooms you rent. Treat these as estimates and check lease terms before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many sessions and classes you sell and your prices. Plan on at least about 25 hours a week. These are estimates, not guarantees.

Massage therapists and many other practitioners need a state license, so check your state licensing board before anyone works with clients. Also check business licenses and any certificate of occupancy with your city or county, and employee versus contractor rules.