Editor’s note: This article was first published in May 2010, and its €200,000-400,000 investment estimate and its assessment of the sector as in full growth date from 2010.
When it comes to thinking about a profitable business, and after spending some time researching how solid spa businesses are, how they develop and how they expand, one thing stands out: this type of business is in a full growth phase.
The stress of everyday life means that more and more of us are seeking out relaxation services and healing therapies. The leading country for this type of business is Mexico, with roughly 1,900 spas in operation.
If you decide to get into this business, you should know that you can approach it in different ways:
- Urban spa: open during the day and working by appointment, usually found in the town or city centre.
- Destination spa: accommodation included for one or several days, with a set programme of treatments for the guest.
- Medical spa: treatments supervised by a doctor, for medical treatments and more delicate ailments.
Of course, if you want to become the most sought-after destination in your country and go big, you can combine all three types of spa in one and offer the widest range of services. Obviously, the investment would then be higher.
Among the advantages of a spa as a business, we’d highlight:
- It’s a sector with strong demand at the moment.
- A really fast return on the investment.
- Very few problems with customers, since they come to relax, not to cause trouble.
How much investment do you need to open a spa?
The investment for this type of business is usually high (although you can recover it quickly).
You’ll need premises of at least 100 or 120 m² for an urban spa. Décor is an essential part of this business, and it’s not something to skimp on. Then there are saunas, a jacuzzi, treatment tables, qualified staff, disposable supplies and so on.
All in, the investment would come to somewhere between €200,000 and €400,000, although if you’ve followed some of the tips and ideas we’ve shared in previous articles, there are several ways to cut those costs:
- If you don’t own premises, rent them to start with.
- If the initial investment is too much for you, share it. Make each qualified, specialised worker a partner in your business. Pooling capital reduces what each person has to put in, and you’ll all be committed to a business that is your own.
- Advertise aggressively online. Most of your customers will come to you through the internet. Make sure you show up at the top of the main search engines for keywords such as spa, relaxation, holidays, tourism and massage.
- Advertise on social media.
- Contact travel agencies and get your name known at clinics and hotels by leaving them discount vouchers.
- Fill your city with flyers advertising your spa.
Remember that in this business, once you’ve got past the initial investment, with good advertising and good facilities and services, you’ll start to see profits from the first year onwards.
Further reading
- The businesses of the future
- Start a business or buy one?
- 10 business ideas with no investment
- How to start a business with no money
Featured image: Missvain, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
