Developing a Spa and
Wellness Business
Gaudia Chevannes-Aquart
Definition of the Word Spa
 The
word "spa" comes from the
Latin expression for health by
water.
Wellness
Wellness is the state of
optimal well-being. It's
not simply the absence of
illness, but an improved
quality of life resulting
from enhanced physical,
social, mental, emotional,
spiritual and
environmental health.
The Complete You
Why Wellness
This industry is a newcomer to today’s
conglomerates, since fifteen years ago
it didn’t even exist. However, today
the Wellness Industry enjoys annual
revenue exceeding $200 billion and
is expected to reach the trillion
dollar mark by 2010. It does not
take a scientist to realize this is
outstanding growth! Just go down to
your local strip mall or commercial
district and see what you run into. You
will find Vitamin stores, fitness
centres, natural food markets, and so
many more wellness related
businesses seem to be emerging at
incredible rates! A massive wave is
forming.
Why such a surge of growth?
It all comes down to a giant contemporary
demand for advancements in pro-active
health. There are many reasons why the
wellness industry is, and will continue to
expand. For instance, did you know that
today:
Some Statistics




14 million Americans have low bone density,
and 77% of the estimated 8 million who
have Osteoporosis are undiagnosed (National
Osteoporosis Foundation);
65% of the population is overweight, and
25% of those people are clinically obese
(U.S. Centres for Disease Control);
300,000 deaths per year are associated with
being overweight and obese (U.S. Surgeon
General);
58 million Americans have one or more
forms of cardiovascular disease, the majority
of which are undiagnosed (American Heart
Association).
The Challenge
The wellness industry will start going head to
head against one of the world’s largest
industries known as the Health Care Industry.
Understanding the potential in this challenge is
important, since the Health Care Industry boasts
to help the sick get better, while the Wellness
Industry and Spa Therapies promote proactive
health and focus on helping people to not get
sick in the first place!
Which would you prefer?
Client Focus
The spa industry is booming
and consumers are becoming
more discerning and with the
escalation in demand at
present across the spa
industry, client expectation
becomes increasingly
sophisticated, leading to a
well-informed and
discriminating assessment of
services on offer.
How to Start a Spa/Wellness
Business


Create a business
plan for your spa
Conduct initial
market research
for your spa
business
Wellness Spa





Combines Spa services with Wellness
Programs within appropriate Day Spa
facilities. Will need to provide evidence of:
Day Spa facilities.
Spa Therapy and Body Therapy
Wellbeing and lifestyle programs.
Offers Spa Cuisine
An Overview of Options for Your
Spa Business




Buying an
established spa
business
Opening a new spa
Spa franchising
Mobile spas
Licensing requirements for spas
In your territory:
 Are there licensing requirements for the
establishment
 What about the individual operator license
 Are there certification standards
 Hygiene requirements for spas
Other Things to Consider







Write your Mission & Vision Statement
Choosing a name for your spa business
Start-up costs
Where to get start-up financing for your spa
business
What to consider when choosing a location for your
spa business including how much square footage you
will need
Interior design of your spa business
What equipment you need to start a spa business
Managing Your Day Spa
Business



Develop effective systems for running your spa
business on a daily basis
Set your spa's hours of operation
Working with spa employees



Determine the staffing needs of your spa business
Find employees who are qualified to work at your
spa
Set sales goals and keep spa employees motivated
Managing Your Day Spa
Business



Establish a maintenance schedule for equipment
Set prices for your spa's service and develop
packages to encourage clients to buy more
Spa products
 Identify suppliers for the products you will use and
retail
 Set retail markup margins
 Keep track of inventory
 Create in-store displays to market products
Managing Your Day Spa
Business




Create your image on and off paper
Develop promotional materials to
market your spa business (including
LOGO, a menu of services, website,
brochures, etc.)
Advertising and publicity
Stimulate repeat business from your
spa clients
The Destination Spa
With people prepared to travel to get the
treatment and experience they desire, the
future of the industry is in delivering a top
quality product, consistently. With this
in mind, you must set about building the
very framework of your business,
establishing strengthening and
streamlining the operation.
Your Unique Selling Point







Seaside Charm or Mountain
Bliss
Natural Mud or Healing
Spring Water
Indigenous Plants and
Herbs
Specially Developed
Techniques
Unique Technology
One of a Kind Import
Cosmetic surgery and
recovery
Who are You Catering to?



Golfers
Mountain Climbers
Business Travellers
(Conferences etc)





Baby Boomers
Health & Fitness Buffs
Honeymooners
College Students
Families
Why Choose Spa/Wellness
The great news is, as the first of
approximately 78 million members of the
baby boomer generation in North America
start turning the age of 65 over the next
few years, they will create the need for
continuing improving and expanding of
this industry, thus generating an
increasing demand for us to supply.