7 Steps to Opening a Spa Business

You'll need to research locations and create a business plan before you open a spa

Get ready to open the doors to your brand new spa! Before you do, there are some important checklist items we must cross off. Opening a new spa can be an exciting time, and you're probably looking forward to creating the space and services you have always dreamt of. However, we realize that there can be so much to accomplish in so little time, and how can you remember to do it all?

That's why we have created this essential checklist to help you open your spa in an efficient and thorough way. Now, you don't have to feel like you're missing something because you will have this checklist to reference. Before you begin purchasing massage equipment, let's take a look at what you should do first.

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Opening a Spa Checklist (7 Steps)

Use this checklist to help you through your spa opening to ensure you have taken care of all aspects that go into creating a viable spa business.

Step One: Business Plan, Legal and Market Analysis

• Research Legal Processes for Opening a Spa Business – It's important to research the legal aspects of opening a salon since there are some critical processes to take care of. For example, you will need to register your business name and company with your state and local government. You will also need to make sure your estheticians are fully licensed and that your business passes state requirements. If you are opening a medical spa you will need to take extra steps to make sure all the legal requirements for the owners and staff are met.
• Consider Hiring a Business Consultant – You don't have to go it alone! There are salon and spa business consultants that are well-versed in the salon and spa space and have experience setting up and growing healthy businesses.
• Create a Business Plan – Before you even start shopping for a space to set up shop, you're going to want to outline your first year of expenses, revenue goals and determine your company's mission. Check out our previous post for more information about creating a salon business plan.
• Conduct a Market Analysis – As you begin to look for a location to open your spa, it's critical to do a market analysis. A market analysis will help you identify the competition in your area and figure out how your spa can differentiate itself.
• Establish Your Services – Check out spa trends in your area to see which services you need to offer to stay competitive and differentiate yourself. You can include these services as well as your service pricing in your business plan and market analysis. You can also use this as an opportunity to figure out what services are missing or lacking in your area. This could create an opportunity for you to stand out from competitors.

Step Two: Shop for a Space

Now that you have the basics down, it's time to look for a new space to open a spa! When you are shopping for a new spa space, keep these factors in mind.

• Location – Where you decide to set up shop is important. You want potential clients to have convenient access to parking, and you also need to be located in a place that's easily accessible to everyone. If you want to be the community's go-to spa, you may want to choose a location that isn't heavily populated with spas and salons.
• Space – Depending on how much spa furniture you need, you will want to shop for a space that has enough room for your business to operate and grow in.
• Aesthetic – Of course, you can always renovate the space you choose to match your spa's aesthetic and look, but if you need to stay on a budget, try finding a space that's turnkey.
• Price – Completing your business plan will help you identify a budget that works well for you. When purchasing your space, keep in mind that you will also need to allocate some of your budget to fill your spa with pedicure chairs and other equipment.

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We offer a variety of massage tables that can match the look of your new spa

Step Three: Shop for Spa Equipment and Supplies

Once you have narrowed in on your space, you will need to start shopping for massage tables and other spa equipment for your salon. Here is a checklist of items you will need.

• Massage table
• Pedicure chair
• Facial beds
• Manicure table
• Skin care equipment
• Towels
• Retail shelves for products
• Technician stools & chairs
• Reception desk and waiting area furniture
• Shelves for storage
• Trolleys and carts
• Lamps
• Facial steamers
• Masks
• Sanitary items like gloves

Learn what every esthetician should know before investing in a new facial machine and discover how to choose the best facial bed.

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Step Four: Decorate and Renovate

Now comes the fun part: making your spa your own! Study other spas and salons to get inspiration for what you want your space to look like. Use social media to help you find inspiration by looking at what salons outside of your area are doing well. Whether you need a big renovation to your space or you need to add decorations to bring it to life, here are some design tips to help you get started.

• Stick to a modern and classic color palette (three colors max)
• Use Minerva's 2D Space Planner to create your dream layout
• Create a calming atmosphere with music and scents

Before you open a new spa, take great pictures of your interior for your website and social media

Step Five: Hire Talent

You're almost ready to open your spa, but before you do, you will need to hire talent to help you run your spa. Here are some positions you should be hiring for.

• Spa manager
• Esthetician
• Custodial staff
• Receptionists
• Skin care specialists or dermatologist
• Manicurists and pedicurists
• Massage therapists

You can always start with a smaller staff and scale up as your business grows. But having a staff out of the gate will allow you to focus on opening your spa and making sure it is as successful as possible.

Step Six: Create Your Digital Presence

As you perfect your physical spa space, it's also important to craft a digital presence through social media and your company's website. Tease behind-the-scenes footage of your spa getting ready to open on social media to get the community talking before you open! We've put together a great guide that includes digital marketing ideas for salons. This would be a great place to start planning your digital presence.

Step Seven: Host a Grand Opening

Now that your spa is ready to open, it's a great idea to generate buzz and notoriety in your community. Create a press release for your grand opening and make sure to include all the important information (address, time, promotions, etc.) to get people excited. You can partner with local businesses and spread the word about your spa with a grand opening party. Offer specials and promotions to bring new clients through your doors and keep them coming back.

Congratulations on your new business venture! Minerva Beauty is your one-stop shop for all things spa equipment and supplies, and we are excited to support you!