Ready to launch your massage therapy practice and make that dream of self-employment a reality? Owning your own business allows you to set your hours, design your practice space, and make choices whether you want to work with a client.
Turning a dream into reality requires passion but there is more. There are practical steps to take when it comes to how to start a business, such as a massage therapy practice. Small businesses that thrive consider the following questions to get their massage practice off the ground and secure their position in the marketplace:
1. What will my business look like?
2. What are my goals for the next few years and how do I plan to grow my business?
3. What is the structure of my business?
4. What are my financial requirements and how will I secure funding, if needed?
5. Will I need special licensing and insurance?
6. Where should I locate my practice?
7. What equipment and products will I need?
8. How will I build a client base? What marketing tools should I employ?
What will my business look like
One of the great aspects to having your own business is the opportunity to create something exactly as you want it. If you worked for someone up until now, you may have had to focus on more general massage therapy. Being self-employed, you can continue to do that and expand your horizons and become one of the small businesses that thrive by establishing expertise in a a niche, of which you have many options, such:
· Aromatherapy Massage
· Chair Massage
· Deep Tissue Massage
· Hot Stone Massage
· Integrative Structural Massage Therapy
· Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage
· Myofascial Release
· Prenatal Massage
· Reflexology Massage
· Shiatsu Massage
· Sport Massage
· Swedish Massage
· Thai Massage
· Trigger Point Massage
Whether you build your business around general massage and/or one or several types of massage, consider how you stand out from the competition in your chosen area(a) and if you need additional training to establish your expertise.
What are my goals
Small businesses that thrive look down the road. Think about where you need your business to be after one year and then after five years. You want to create a business plan that provides a blueprint for how you achieve those goals. Your plan will not only address the type of clients you want and the services you offer, but it also will determine where you want to build your practice, if you need to hire people, what kind of financing you need, if any, and vendor relationships you need to establish. Include financial projections for each year.
Developing your business plan starts by researching the competition in the area where you plan to practice. If you plan to service an area with several established massage practices or day spas, you need to know if your business depends on attracting first-time massage therapy clients or offering a more competitive offering to experienced massage therapy clients. A SWOT analysis of strengths, weaknesses, growth opportunities and threats will help you determine where you need to shore up our offering.
Your business plan should be realistic. Setting unrealistic goals, whether about revenue, client acquisition or services you want to offer can lead to activities that increase your expenses, which impact cash flow.
How will I structure my business
How to start a business involves determining how to structure your business. You can be a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. As a sole proprietor, which is the least expensive to establish, you are responsible if anything happens to the business. Should you form a partnership, you are liable if your partner does something that brings on a lawsuit. However, establishing your business as an LLC or corporation protects you from being personally liable if someone sues your business.
How will I secure the needed funding
Start by separating your personal and business finances. Open a dedicated business bank account, which makes managing your accounts simpler and helps keep your tax preparation straightforward. Also, get a business credit card to help with startup costs and ongoing daily expenses. It also will build your business credit, which is important for future financial flexibility.
If you need additional funding, talk to your local bank about a small business loan, although bank loans for businesses are not easy to get these days. Also, it is best to avoid going into debt when starting a new business.
What special licensing and insurances will I need
You’ll need to obtain your state’s massage certification, license, or diploma. In addition, find out if you need to get a general business license or permit in your city or town, as well as a sales tax permit and an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.
There are several types of insurance to consider when starting a massage business, including:[1]
· General liability insurance protects you against legal fees and potential financial losses from a claim that your business caused:
o Bodily injury to someone else
o Property damage to another person’s belongings
o Personal injury, like libel or slander
· Commercial property insurance covers damage to the building, as in the case of a fire.
· Business interruption insurance can help replace lost income in the case of covered property damage. You can use this coverage to help pay for ongoing expenses, like rent, utility bills or payroll.
· Professional liability insurance: it helps cover lawsuits claiming that you made a mistake in the services you provided.
How do I choose the best location
If you plan to have a business where clients come to you, find a location that is convenient for clients and provides parking. Consider locating your business in a high traffic area that brings customers to the location for other business. Also, ensure the spot you pick complies with local zoning and business regulations to avoid legal issues.
If you are thinking about starting a massage business at home, here are some important considerations:
- Are you comfortable having clients coming into your personal space?
- Is there a way to separate your work area from your living quarters? Do you have separate entrance clients that can use to come into your home?
- Do you have family members or live in a neighborhood that might make it too noisy to have your business there?
What equipment and supplies do I need
As you prepare to launch your massage therapy business, invest in the right equipment and supplies for effective treatments and to create a professional atmosphere.
o Lotions, oils and gels
o Towels and robes
o Bolsters and therapeutic pillows:
o Massage tools
o Disinfecting and cleaning supplies
How will I build my client base
Small businesses that strive start by determining their Unique Selling Proposition (USP) that sets their business apart from the competition. Your USP tells clients how your massage practice stands out from the competition. Markets change and as they do, your ability to differentiate your spa or massage practice from others and shape the market to your vision of what you offer becomes even more important. As you face more competition, it is not sufficient to tell clients and prospect that you offer excellent service and results. Your clients need to feel that your massage practice is the only one that has a unique quality or characteristic that is meaningful to them.
Your USP is integrated into all your marketing activities, which starts with a professional website that includes your focus, days/times of operation and pricing. If possible, include online appointment scheduling software to facilitate bookings.
Today, social media channels are critical to engage with clients and keep them up to date on your services as well as the latest industry trends. In addition to social media, marketing should include emails and texts with information on your latest services and promotions. Consider a customer loyalty program to incentive clients to take advantage of your services more often. Look for opportunities to submit guest blogs on industry websites or maintain your own.
Partnership marketing also can help you gain visibility and establish credibility. Collaborate with local businesses such as health clubs, yoga studios, or chiropractors to cross-promote services.
To establish a massage therapy practice and thrive requires planning and taking the right steps. You cannot guarantee success, but by following these steps, you will get your business off the ground and on a good footing to move it ahead.
[1] “Types of Business Insurance,” The Hartford, Accessed April 11, 2025. https://www.thehartford.com/business-insurance/types-of-insurance