Get The Required Permits
Retail Seller Permit: If you also want to sell retail products, youll most likely need a permit. This goes for all states that collect sales tax. You can verify this on the U.S. Small Business Administration website or go directly to your states website..
Building Permits: If you plan to do any work to the building where youll run your own massage therapy business, then youll need to get permits and inspections at the state level for the work.
Costs of these may vary a bit, depending on the exact nature of the renovations.
EIN: Dont forget your Federal Employer Identification Number- youll need it in order to file your Federal and state taxes, massage therapists payroll, and a lot of other paperwork.
You can apply for this on your states website or directly from the IRS. Theyll ask for your business license, personal information and general information about your business structure and services.
Obtain Massage Therapy Insurance
Now that you have the most important legalities out of the way, its time to ensure that your insurance is up to date. If you have already been a Massage Therapist for a while, you will already have insurance. However, if you are a new Massage Therapist, make sure to apply for Massage Therapy insurance.
Obtain Commercial/Business Insurance
When getting insurance for your business, you want to make sure that you will be covered if someone falls while on your property or slips in your bathroom. Not just if an injury occurs from a massage technique. So make sure to inquire about this when contacting insurance companies. Also, ensure that all of your products and equipment are covered.
How To Open A Massage Therapy Business In 9 Steps
By Acacia Wilson, Esq. | Reviewed by Tim Kelly, J.D. | Last updated September 22, 2022
There are many different settings in which massage therapists thrive, including chiropractic offices and spas. If you have an entrepreneurial mindset, you could find the idea of owning your own massage business appealing. There are many different types of massage therapy practices, as well. Whether you’re interested in starting a small business in your home, renting an office space, or traveling to clients’ homes, there are a few critical steps that you can take to make your business a success.
Figuring out the type of massage therapy business that you want to run can be a great start to opening up your new business. Think about your goals, the demographics of your target audience, and the reasons why they’d choose to use your services. Many people seek out massage therapy for stress relief or medical reasons. Keep this information in mind as you begin planning a strategy for opening your own massage business.
We make business formation EASY. Learn about our DIY business formation services here.
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Step : Get Business Insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your companys financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If youre unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so its a great place to start for your business.
Learn more about General Liability Insurance.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, its a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Recommended: Learn what business insurance for your Massage Therapy Business will cost.
Understand Board Certification Requirements
States that require licensing for massage therapists often will have certain levels of training that the applicant needs to have. Some of these requirements may include:
- Receive accreditation from a recognized organization, usually through passing a written exam
- Undergo a certain number of hours of hands-on training, usually at least 200
- Spend a certain number of hours in formal instruction classes, usually at least 300
- Agree to a code of ethics
- Complete ongoing education every year or two
Its possible that the massage therapist will need board certification both at the state and local levels.
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How Much Does It Cost To Open Your Own Massage Clinic
Opening your own clinic can be the most lucrative massage business model long-term. However, going this route does require a bigger financial investment than other options. It will also take some time to recoup your initial investment.
Opening your own business could simply involve renting a room in a group practice or gym. Alternatively, you may opt to rent an entire office space or buy a building. It all depends on where youre at right now and your plan for business growth. In most cases, the space you work out of will be your biggest ongoing expense.
When determining how much it will cost to start your massage business, consider the cost of the following start-up essentials.
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Down payment + First month’s rent/mortgage
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Liability insurance
Question : What Type Of Business Structure Should I Choose
There are a few different business structures you can choose from when starting your mobile massage business, but the most common are sole proprietorships and LLCs.
Sole proprietorships are the simplest business structure and dont require any special paperwork to set up. However, they offer the least amount of protection for your personal assets.
LLCs, or limited liability companies, provide more protection for your personal assets since the business and its owner are considered separate entities. LLCs are a bit more complicated to set up than sole proprietorships, but they may be worth the extra effort if youre looking to protect your personal assets.
There are a few other business structures to choose from, so be sure to do your research and consult with a lawyer or accountant before making your final decision if you are unsure what business structure is right for you.
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Can I Be A Massage Therapist Without A License
In most cases, the answer is no. You need a massage license to practice massage therapy. In some instances, you cannot even run a massage therapy business with a team of licensed therapists unless you are also licensed.
For example, in Washington State, you must hold a massage license to run a massage business unless you are a health care professional who holds a higher degree of medical training. Chiropractors or kinesiologists are examples of healthcare professionals who may offer massage as part of their practice without massage-specific licensure. However, there are some states in which you are not required to have a massage therapy license.
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Negatives Of Owning A Massage Therapy Business
However, setting up your own business can have some downsides. Some of the cons associated with starting up a massage therapy business are:
Physical strain
Performing massage therapy every day can take a toll on your body. You will likely be standing for hours every day, bending over and leaning down, which can cause strain on your body. The amount of pressure you will be applying using your fingers, hands and wrists can also result in injuries or strains. The physical demands of your job can have negative consequences on your health.
Your working hours may be limited
Because of the physical strain of your job, the number of hours you are able to work every day may be limited. This can have a negative impact on the growth of your business and your income.
Unrealistic client expectations
Some clients may think that one appointment with you is enough to cure their physical ailments, medical conditions or stress. As many massage therapists will attest, it usually takes multiple sessions for your clients to see an improvement. This could result in unhappy customers, negative reviews, and even a loss of business.
You will have a lot of responsibility
You will be responsible for running your business, ordering stock, maintaining equipment, ensuring the health and safety of your customers and employees and handling appointments and payments. You will be solely responsible for the success of your business.
Work can be inconsistent
Your business could fail
High liability
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Register With An Association
Itâs not essential to register with an association, but it is highly recommended. Upon joining, youâll have the opportunity to increase your network, stay across new information and training, connect with other industry contacts and experts, get access to discounted rates for insurance and more.
Create A Business Plan
You might think that it is an unnecessary step and skip it. But that could cost you a lot in the long run!
A massage business plan is a document that describes in detail how a business defines its objectives and how it plans to achieve them. You can document the vision that you have for your business through a business plan.
Moreover, a formal business plan actually helps you stay on track with your goals in the long term. You can, of course, update your plan time and again, but the initial one sets everything in place and gives you an idea of the milestones you wish to reach!
If you need a loan to start your massage therapy business, your business plan will also help the bank understand if you can repay it successfully.
Broadly speaking, the ideal business plan should include the following heads:
- Executive Summary
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Step : Plan Your Business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What are the costs involved in opening a massage therapy business?
There are a number of investments youll need to make before opening your doors. First, youll need a work space. Rent can run anywhere from $750/month to thousands, depending upon location and size of the space you need. Most landlords require first and last months rent as a deposit, so plan on budgeting for at least two months.
Hopefully, you already have a massage table and bolsters, but if you dont, now is the time to buy. Its not necessary to purchase the most expensive table, which could cost upwards of $900 but you will want to invest in a solid, quality table, an investment of at least $300. If you plan on offering standard massages, youll also need to purchase a few bolsters and wedges, which will run you another $150. When you start to offer more specialized massages, like pregnancy massage, youll want to save up for additional bolsters, setting you back another $250.
Your customers will need clean sheets and a blanket to keep them warm during their session. To avoid hours of laundry every day, most therapists purchase several days worth of sheets. At $35 per set, this can easily be one of your largest initial expenses.
Who is the target market?
Channels To Avoid For Your Mobile Massage Business
Writing this guide, I have assumed that you are a massage therapist who wants to start a mobile massage business. I am assuming that your business will probably be a one-person show.
If thats the case, then there are few marketing channels that you should avoid, although every marketing consultant will tell you to give it a shot. In the next section, I will discuss two such channels.
SEO
SEO or search engine optimization is the process of ranking your website high on search engines so that people looking for your services find you easily.
For my business, SEO is the number 1 source of customers. So, why am I advising you to stay away from SEO? Well, the reason is simple competition.
If you decide to invest in SEO for your mobile massage business, you are competing with the mobile massage marketplaces directly! These marketplaces have millions in funding and pretty much dominate the front page of Google for search terms related to mobile massage.
Ranking your one-person mobile massage website on page 1 of Google is possible, but will require significant effort. My advice is to forget this channel for now and focus on the low-hanging fruits.
Flyers
Again, similar to setting up a website, creating and distributing flyers is one of the top activities, I see massage therapists doing when they start a new business. Its like all massage therapists read the same out-dated books on how to start a mobile massage business.
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About Beauty & Bodywork Insurance
Insurance: its a necessity in the fabric of our modern lives. With it, we protect our financial assets, the businesses weve worked to build, and we rest easy at night with peace of mind knowing we are safe from potential financial ruin.
Understanding this need for insurance, BBI decided to challenge the traditional methods of finding coverage. The clunky, outdated way of getting a policy through an agent took time and money away from the people who needed it the most. So in 2012, we automated the process in favor of beauty professionals.
Put The Details In Place
Once youve figured out the logistical details of registering your business, choosing a location and getting insurance, its time to focus on the smaller details which will make your business truly yours.
This includes logistics such as how you will accept payment, and setting up a means to accept debit or credit cards, and setting up internet for your clinic will you offer complimentary Wi-Fi for patients who are waiting for their appointments?
It also includes things like waiting room furniture and decor, considering what sort of atmosphere you want to create.
Details such as what music you play, the colors you paint the waiting room and treatment areas and whether you burn candles or use an essential oil diffuser all factor into the environment you create.
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Investing In Massage Tables Oils And Other Supplies
When purchasing equipment and supplies, its important to invest in quality items that will last. Look for massage tables that are durable and adjustable, as well as high-quality oils and lotions. Additionally, you may want to consider investing in a sound system or aromatherapy diffuser to create a relaxing atmosphere.
Choose A Business Name
Choosing a name for your massage business can be fun. Take your time and make a list of names that you think will be appealing to your target audience. Next, you’ll want to check to see which names are available.
To see if the business names on your list are available, check out the business records in your state. Also, check the trademark database to make sure that you don’t end up choosing a business name that is already trademarked. Your business name will be a part of your brand, so make sure that it is unique.
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Tips For Starting A Massage Practice
The best way to success is on a road paved not only with a passion for massage therapy, but also sound business skills.
For some, the idea of owning a business is persuasive and powerful. Its easy to imagine what working for yourself will be like: setting your own hours, developing a schedule that allows for flexibility, keeping all the profits for yourself.
When you first start thinking about opening a massage therapy practice, your natural inclination might be to focus primarily on the positive aspects of business ownership. And theres nothing wrong with letting the potential obstacles fade into the backgroundfor a time.
But when you begin getting serious about this endeavor, you must be realistic about both the good that will come from opening your own massage therapy practice, as well as the challenges you might need to overcome. The best way to success is on a road paved not only with a passion for massage therapy, but also sound business skills.
Step : Set Up Your Business Phone System
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. Thats not the only benefit it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. Weve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2022 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
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Market Your Massage Business
Once youve gone through all the steps of forming your company, its time to market your business and find new clients.
Start by creating an online presence for your massage therapy practice. Social media platforms, customer review sites like Yelp, and email marketing are three easy ways to promote your business.
Social media channels like Facebook and LinkedIn can help grow and retain your customer base. Post high-value content that educates followers and encourages them to reach out for your services.
For example, create posts that give followers valuable information like 5 ways massage therapy improves your sleep or How massage therapy helps you recover from injury. You could offer discounts to first-time customers and encourage followers to like and share your content in exchange for the chance to win free massage services.
Claim your Yelp Business Page to build credibility in your online presence. Make sure it includes your business details, such as hours, massage services provided, photos, and contact information. You can also respond to customer reviews to show that youre an engaged business owner and boost word-of-mouth referrals. Consumers put a great deal of trust in recommendations from others, whether theyre in person or online. In fact, 90% of consumers read reviews before choosing a business.
Get a free Yelp Page
Promote your business to local customers.