remedial massage business plan

How to Write An Effective Massage Therapy Business Plan

Learn how to create a business plan for your massage therapy practice.

May 20, 2013

There's that line from Field of Dreams that most everybody knows, even if they've never seen the movie: if you build it, he will come. Though in the movie the phrase relates specifically to baseball, many people have since assigned a more general meaning to the expression—don't worry about the outcome, because simply making the effort will produce results.

And there is something to be said for passion driven by blind faith.

But, particularly in business, there’s also something to be said for taking the time to outline where you are now and where you want to be—and how exactly you plan to get from point A to point B. In other words: writing a business plan.

The topic of writing a business plan can bring a wide variety of reactions, most of which range somewhere between reluctance and fear. The process, however, doesn’t have to be painful. Here are some tips to help you make the most of this important business tool.

Part of the reluctance to write a business plan might come from some misconceptions surrounding the practice. Many people think of these documents as long and complicated, taking days and months to write and finalize. But that doesn’t have to be the case, according to Kelly Bowers, a licensed massage therapist in Washington, D.C.

In fact, for most massage therapists, a one-page business plan is probably sufficient. “What most of us think of when we say business plan is what I call the standard or large business plan, but it’s not what most of us are going to want to work with,” she says. “We’re going to want to work with a simplified form of the standard business plan.”

To get to a clear understanding of how elaborate your business plan needs to be, Bowers suggests asking yourself some basic questions: How specific are your goals? How long-range are they? Are your goals ambitious? Are they a stretch? Do you really just want to make enough money to live comfortably and peacefully? Do you already know how much money that will take?

Also, consider your own personality. Are you a planner, for example? Do you tend to live in the moment or are you always looking down the road, thinking about where you want to be in two, five or 10 years?

“The more you want to move outside the simple or outside your comfort zone, the more you’ll benefit from having a business plan,” Bowers says. “If you are a planner, you will benefit from a business plan. If you tend to be overwhelmed by too many choices, a business plan can help you stay focused.”

Bowers quickly cautions, too, that simple isn’t going to work for everyone, and she encourages massage therapists to remember this rule of thumb: “The more people that are engaged in your practice and the more of someone else’s money you’ll be asking for, the more involved your business plan needs to be,” she says.

When Bowers decided to leave her job as a technical writer and pursue massage therapy full time, she started having lunch with a group of women who were starting their own businesses. “They were all big proponents of using business plans,” she says. “They kept pushing me to write one.”

Bowers didn’t follow their advice right away, however. Then, finally, she took herself on a business retreat one January and worked her way through Jim Horan’s “The One Page Business Plan,” a book her friends she lunched with had recommended to her.

She learned a few lessons from her first attempt. “My first business plan was, ah, optimistic, to say the least,” she recalls. “It turns out that making $50,000 a year requires more than writing it down confidently in your business plan! But I was hooked on the process.”

Some of why writing a business plan is helpful comes from being able to clarify your vision. “Having a clear sense of my personal vision and my practice’s mission has made a big difference for me,” Bowers explains. “It’s given me a clarity and focus I probably never would have found otherwise.”

In addition to more focus, writing a business plan gives Bowers a way of evaluating any new opportunities that might arise. “Does this opportunity I’m considering or being offered line up with my mission and vision?” she asks herself. “There are a lot of things I could do as a small business. But, as a very small business, I want to focus my time, energy and money on those things that help me bring my vision to life and fulfill my mission as I understand it.”

Bowers has advice that is quick and to the point for those reluctant to start writing a business plan: “Give up any idea that you aren’t smart enough or educated enough to write a business plan,” she says. “If you’re smart enough to do the work, then you’re smart enough to explain it in a business plan.” That’s not to say you might not need a little help, Bowers adds.

First, relax a little. You might find a different perspective helpful, like thinking of writing a business plan as having a conversation. “A business plan, at its most basic, is a conversation,” Bowers explains. “The conversation might be between you and an investor or business partner. For most of us, it’s a conversation we’re having with ourselves.”

Bowers elaborates on this idea, suggesting you look at the business plan as a kind of conversation between your present self and future self. “These two selves are working out what they want to build together and how they’re going to move that thing from today to the future you want to have,” she adds.

You might also find that imagining yourself sitting with a friend describing what you envision your practice looks like is a good way to approach writing a business plan. “Imagine describing, with passion, the practice you want to have,” Bowers says. “Imagine the two of you brainstorming what it would take, in some detail, to make that happen. If you wrote that down, you’d have a basic business plan.”

Remember, too, that writing a business plan shouldn’t be something you do once and never revisit. “As long as your business is alive, your business plan needs to be alive,” Bowers explains. “That means you need to be looking at and updating your business plan regularly.” For Bowers, that happens every January, when she takes her annual business retreat.

Writing a business plan might not be at the top of your priority list—and that’s OK. You don’t have to dedicate months to the process. But engaging in the process of putting your plans in writing can be a great exercise, and help you increase business and clarify your own vision. “I think getting clear on your vision and mission are the two biggest benefits of a business plan,” Bowers says. “Writing a business plan is a way to tell the story of your passion and how you’re going to make that passion sing.”

Anatomy of a Massage Therapy Business Plan

Though many massage therapists may not need to create an in-depth standard business plan, knowing what this document comprises is a good idea. You also might find that at least some of these elements will be included in your own business plan, no matter how simple.

Executive summary . Here, you’ll summarize the key points of the rest of the plan. “It lets you highlight the exciting parts,” says Kelly Bowers, a licensed massage therapist in Washington, D.C.

Company description . This description tells people what kind of practice you’re creating. You can detail the legal structure of the company, for example, as well as how management will work, if you’ll have a management team in place. “This is also a summary of things you’ll get into in greater detail later in the plan,” explains Bowers.

Product/service . Obvious, perhaps, but in this section you’ll detail what products or services your practice will offer.

Target market . When thinking of who your target market will be, Bowers suggests thinking of these questions: Who is going to buy your products or services, and why would they buy your products and services?

Competitive analysis . No matter how simple you make your business plan, you should have a good idea of who in your area may serve as competition for business and clients. “Who is already selling your product or service?” Bowers asks. “How are you going to be able to compete with them?”

Marketing and sales plan . Here, you are going to outline how you’ll reach potential clients and get them to buy your product or service. In today’s world, there are a lot of different ways you might choose to market your practice, so take some time to think about what might work best for you.

Related: Marketing Tools for Massage Therapists

Operations plan . How does your company run? Where is your practice located? What equipment do you need? All of these are questions you’ll answer in this section, Bowers says.

Management team . If you plan on setting up business with other people, or going into business with a fellow massage therapist or someone from a complementary profession, you’ll need to outline leadership roles. Who will be in charge, for example?

Development plan  and milestones . This section will work through some of your future plans, as well as how you’ll measure if you’re on track or not. You might also think about exactly how you plan to grow your practice, if growth is indeed a goal.

Financials . Money is sometimes the last thing you want to talk or think about when you’re excited about starting your own business, but especially if you’re looking for investors or need a loan, you’ll need to have a good idea of where you’re starting financially, what you expect to make and what you’ll need to spend in overhead, for starters.

“Each of these sections answers specific questions about business,” explains Bowers. “Even if you aren’t writing a standard business plan, it’s worth it to at least look at the questions and think about them.”

Business Plan Mythbusting

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in business for 10 years, you can probably benefi t from writing a business plan. To help you get over any hesitation you might feel, we’re busting some of the common myths that seem to surround this practice.

No. 1: You need a formal business education to write a business plan—False.

“For the kind of businesses most of us are running, what we need is a guide that is written to our level of business knowledge,” explains Kelly Bowers, a licensed massage therapist in Washington, D.C. Now, she adds, you might have to look up a few terms in the dictionary, but if you have a solid vision for your practice, that’s the important piece to the business plan writing puzzle.

Related:   It's Your Business: Understanding Business Concepts | 3 Credit Hours

No. 2: You should never start a business without writing a business plan—False.

Contrary to what some people might think, writing a business plan doesn’t have to be the fi rst thing you do when you’re thinking of starting your own practice. Much of what a business plan is designed to do is give you a clear direction and focus your efforts. “When you want to get clear with yourself about what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and how you’re going to do it, a business plan can help,” explains Bowers.

But, Bowers says, though many people come out of school believing they know what their practice will look like and the types of clients they’ll work with, many don’t really know. “For a lot of us, it makes more sense to write a business plan after we’ve been in practice a year or three,” she says. “A few years of practice will tell us what our reality actually looks like, making writing a more realistic business plan easier to do.”

Times of change, too, are natural places to create a business plan. “Times of change are great times to work on a business plan to help you chart your new course,” says Bowers. “If you’ve worked in a spa for five years, for example, but now want to go out on your own, that’s a good time to write a business plan.”

There is one caveat to this advice, however: “If your starting point is a big plan that requires borrowing money, bringing in partners and things of that nature, your fi rst step should be to write a detailed business plan,” Bowers explains.

No. 3: Business plans are all about numbers and money—False.

“The heart of a business plan, any business plan, is what you want to build (vision) and why it’s worth building (mission),” Bowers says. “Everything else in the plan needs to be detailed enough to help you get there.”

That’s not to say you don’t need any information about financials, because you will definitely need to have an idea of what you want to make and what you’ll spend. “This information only needs to be as detailed as you personally need it to be,” Bowers says.

Related Resources

Massage therapy journal 3 tips for starting a massage practice.

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.

Continuing Education Attracting Business Clients: Part I-Start-up & Retention

Industry • Best Practice

How to Create a Massage Therapy Business Plan + 3 Examples

Nov.17.2022

Here’s how to draft a business plan that will keep powering your massage business forward for years to come

You have the vision and the talent necessary to turn your ambition into a thriving enterprise. But if you don’t know how to write a business plan for massage therapy, you may be in danger of skipping the most important steps of starting your massage business . We know, we know; you didn’t get into this line of work to spend your time perusing spreadsheets and strategic statements. Thankfully, it may take less than you think to lay out a massage therapy business plan that will set your business up for success for years to come.

Why do I need a business plan for my massage therapy business?

You need a business plan for your massage business because it is the foundational document for your new enterprise. It shows others (and reminds yourself) how you’ll start and build your business today, next month, a year from now, and beyond. A massage therapy business plan will help you set goals for the milestones you wish to reach and make changes to best achieve those goals. And, in the most practical and financial of terms, if you want to convince investors to seed money into your business, they will expect nothing less than a spotless business plan.

6 steps for creating a massage therapy business plan

Now that you know why you need a massage therapist business plan, here’s a clear list of steps to follow to make your own, complete with real-world examples.

Step 1: Craft an appealing executive summary

Think of the executive summary as the grand opening to your business plan. It’s the first impression you make on a reader, which means you should highlight the most engaging parts of your business. Let people know what you intend to accomplish, both fiscally and in the context of the local community. Explain why you’re excited and don’t be afraid to go big in your vision.

The way Elements Massage uses its About Us page to let potential customers understand its unique vision is one great massage therapy business plan example to follow. The franchise emphasizes the quality of massages it offers, backed up by the four pillars of the “Elements Way” that inform its every service. You feel like you know exactly what drives this business even before you step through its doors.

Step 2: Define your day-to-day

You know you want to start a massage therapy business, but what will your daily work look like? Will your business be part of a day spa, offering a range of additional experiences like facial treatments and saunas? Will it be a mobile business where you bring your materials to clients’ homes or offices, meeting customers where it’s most convenient for them?

Answering these questions early will help both you and potential investors determine what kind of funding you may need to create a feasible business. For instance, it costs a lot more to open a brick-and-mortar location staffed by fellow massage therapists than to do business out of your trunk.

Step 3: Identify your clientele 

What kind of customer are you trying to serve with your massage therapy business? Here are some specific questions to ask while envisioning your ideal clientele.

How old are they?

What do they do for a living?

Where do they live?

What’s their annual income?

What life stage are they in?

Once you start identifying these specific elements, you can create a customer persona. This will be an essential tool to return to throughout your process as you consider how best to meet the needs of the people interested in your services.

Keep in mind that your ideal customer may change as your business develops, and the conditions around them may evolve, too. Take note of the way Massage Envy created campaigns that targeted previous customers who stopped receiving massage therapy during the pandemic , showcasing why it might be time to get a massage again. By identifying its clients, Massage Envy always knows who to get the message out to. 

Step 4: Carve out your niche

Massage is a broad umbrella. Specialists can perform Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, shiatsu massage, and many more types of service. What kind of experiences will your particular business specialize in, and what kind of clientele will be more inclined to use them?

Go back to your customer persona here and see how that shapes who your planned services will cater to versus the type of clients you most want to have. This is also a good time to begin considering how you will handle booking for your appointments . It’s the first point of interaction many clients have with your brand, so you want to make sure it’s one that leaves them excited to come in and continue the relationship, rather than exhausted and glad this part of the process is done.

Step 5: Pick the perfect location

If you’re planning to go the brick-and-mortar route, your choice of location is paramount. Return once more to your customer persona: What kind of storefront, and what kind of area, will serve best for attracting your ideal client? A trendy downtown location will mean high foot traffic and plenty of opportunities for drop-ins, but that won’t do you much good if most of your services require scheduling in advance.

If you’re planning to operate in clients’ homes and offices instead, determine how broad of an area you’ll serve. You can only go so far for a client before it no longer makes business sense, but reaching out to massage business contacts in nearby areas could help you set up a mutual beneficial referral arrangement. Whether brick-and-mortar or mobile, be sure to research your competition in the area before setting up shop.

Step 6: Get cozy with a spreadsheet 

OK. We can’t put off talking about it any longer. Your massage therapist business plan also needs a detailed accounting of your finances. You might need to take out loans, apply for grants, or even tap into savings to get a business off the ground before investors will bite, and that’s OK — as long as you plan for it ahead of time. Success isn’t guaranteed overnight, so it's important to plot out best and worst case scenarios for at least a few years in advance, based on ranges for your potential income as well as rent, utilities, and other ongoing expenses.

Turning to another brand name in the space, MassageLuXe’s financial reporting reveals detailed information for new franchisees and their upfront investment . The report breaks down the low and high end of expected expenses across categories, which is helpful for arriving at estimates for your own business even if it won’t be part of a franchise.

It’s never too early to start planning how to make your business even bigger and better. Get your free copy of The Ultimate Growth Playbook for Beauty Businesses today.

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Massage Therapy Business Tips

Massage Therapy Treatment Plans That Really Work + Examples

October 5, 2023

Want to impress your massage clients with a treatment plan that renders BIG results? In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to do just that with massage therapy treatment plan examples, from an experienced massage therapist. You’ll get how-to advice on gathering the information you need, documenting your plan, and getting your clients to follow through. 

If you can deliver results, your clients will do your marketing for you. Let’s do this!

Things Every Client Is Wondering About

Educating clients is an important part of your role as a massage therapist . Your clients aren’t just coming in for a massage, they are coming in for  therapy . They trust you to have answers. Regardless of whether your clients come in for relaxation or pain relief, they all want to know the same things. 

• How long of a session do I need?
• When should I come back?
• Can massage really help me?
• How long will it take?
• What should I be doing between sessions?

If your clients aren’t asking you these questions directly, they are thinking them. The easiest and most practical way to answer these questions is by creating a massage therapy treatment plan. 

When you tell clients what they need to do, the quality of care they receive increases and so does your  client retention . Creating a treatment plan isn’t a sales gimmick, it’s crafting a strategy for results.

What’s The Most Common Reason People Get A Massage?

According to the  latest AMTA statistics , 49% of consumers got a massage to improve their health and wellness, in 2022. Not only that, half of those massage clients said massage therapy was part of a treatment plan provided by their doctor.

Creating massage therapy treatment plans that help those clients reach their health & wellness goals is your job as a massage therapist. Do that job well, and referrals will start pouring in. 

How Do I Design A Treatment Plan My Clients Will Love?

Designing a successful  massage therapy treatment plan requires understanding what your client really wants. Engage them with open-ended questions, and listen to what they say - both with their words and their bodies. Conduct a thorough assessment, then craft a treatment plan that aligns with their desires and goals.

We’re all human, and we’re all different. That’s why the same plan doesn’t work for everyone. Recommend what you truly believe will be helpful. That may be a monthly massage regime, or it may be something else. Clients want your expert advice.

Speaking of goals, before you can come up with a strategy for treatment, you need to know what your client’s goals are. Don’t make assumptions. Ask. 

Start by asking your client what their goal for treatment is.  What’s bringing them in? This could be stress relief, pain relief, better mobility, ect. 

Once you know what their goal is,  the next question to ask is, “how will you know when we reach your goal?”  This is a crucial question that many therapists don’t ask. If you don’t have a benchmark to measure your progress against, how will you know if your therapy is working? Often clients don’t notice small improvements over time. Having a benchmark is a way to show your results.

Now that you know what you’re trying to achieve, you can start working on creating a massage therapy treatment plan. 

Create a template for documenting your treatment plan . If you don’t already have a  SOAP Note template , make one.  Writing effective SOAP Notes  is crucial to following through on your massage therapy treatment plans. It’s also a good idea to create something  that you can give to your client , so they don’t forget. You know how foggy the brain can be after a massage. 

Once you’ve created a system for creating and documenting massage therapy treatment, do it the same way with every client. Don’t forget to document this process in your  massage therapy business plan .

Here’s an example of a template you can use for sharing your massage therapy treatment plan with clients.

Treatment Goal: 

( Describe the client’s goal and benchmark indicating success )

Treatment Plan:

( Include things like duration of sessions, number of sessions, how far apart sessions will be scheduled, and what modality to use )

( Recommendations on what to do in between sessions. This could be things like stretching, exercise, heat, ice, rest, ect. )

*Stay within your scope of practice when making recommendations.

How To Get Clients To Follow Through On Their Massage Therapy Treatment Plan

After you create a treatment plan for your massage client, discuss it with them. Make sure they understand why you’re recommending this strategy and ensure it’s something that they are on board with. Write it down for them, and  get them to rebook  before they leave.

It’s also a good idea to follow-up with clients a few days after their initial session. Sending a brief text or email after the first visit shows that you care, and gives you a chance to gain valuable feedback.

Massage Therapy Treatment Plan Examples 

Let’s take a look at treatment plans for different kinds of massage clients. Keep in mind, these are just examples. When designing your own massage therapy treatment plans, customize it to fit the needs, desires, and goals of your clients. 

Here are 3 examples of things massage clients often seek treatment for, and treatment plans for helping them to reach their wellness goals.

Example 1: The Overworked & Stressed Out Client

Tina is a workaholic. She’s always in go mode, and her brain never shuts off. She’s been having trouble sleeping, and she was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure. Her blood pressure is being managed with medication, but her doctor says she needs to manage her stress levels and get more exercise.

Treatment Goal:

Stress relief and relaxation 

Benchmark: She’s able to easily fall asleep at night.

90 minute Swedish massage, bi-weekly over the next 2 months

Take a 30 minute walk when she gets home from the office each day to mark the end of the work day, get much needed exercise and relieve mental stress.

Example 2: Massage Client Recovering From An Injury

Tom injured his neck heading a soccer ball last weekend. Now, he has pain and limited ROM when he turns his head to the left. He had x-rays taken. They didn’t show anything concerning. His doctor said his pain is probably just muscular.

Relieve pain and increase ROM in his neck

Benchmark:  He can turn his head to check his blindspot while driving.

Three 30 minute neuromuscular therapy sessions spaced every 4 days

Use moist heat to relax muscles 1-2 times a day for up to 10 minutes. After the application, laterally flex the neck left and right to stretch tight muscles. DO NOT stretch to the point of pain.

Example 3:  Chronic Pain Sufferer

Sarah suffers from fibromyalgia. Her doctor has prescribed a few drugs that help, but she doesn’t like taking all that stuff. She can hardly function when she takes muscle relaxers, but they are the only thing that take the edge off. She wants to be more proactive in managing her pain levels, instead of solely relying on medication.

Manage chronic pain more naturally

Benchmark: No longer relies on muscle relaxers

60 minute deep tissue massage every 2 weeks 

Start a meditation practice, beginning with just 5 minutes a day and working up to more time.

What Do You Do After You Execute Your Plan?

You followed your plan, and it worked! (Or maybe it didn’t.) Now what?

If your plan doesn’t work, modify it or refer your client to someone who may be able to help. Changing course when something doesn’t work is part of every treatment plan.

If your plan does work, it’s time to create a maintenance plan. You won’t have to sell them on this because you already proved yourself to them. Create a new massage therapy treatment plan that helps them maintain their current state of wellness or to reach a new goal.

It’s also time to tell them about your  referral rewards program . Satisfied clients are one of the best ways to  promote your massage therapy business!  This is the time to  collect reviews and testimonials , or even turn your success story into a case study.

Can I Use Software To Create & Manage Massage Therapy Treatment Plans?

YES! The best way to manage the entire client journey is by using  massage therapy software , like ClinicSense. Software makes your life easier, and it ensures your clients get the best care every time. Here’s what using ClinicSense looks like in action:

A new client books online. An  intake form  is automatically sent to them to fill out online before their session. They also get an  appointment reminder , so they don’t forget to show up on time.

On the day of their appointment, you review their intake form before their appointment. Your new client shows up, and you start the session with no time wasted on paperwork. 

You chat about the reason for their visit and what their wellness goals are. Then, you do an assessment and make some initial notes in a SOAP Note on your tablet. Then, on to the good stuff - the massage.

After the session, you make a recommendation for follow-up treatment, schedule their next appointment, and process their payment. You finish up that  SOAP Note in just a few clicks , if you haven’t already.

A few days later, your client receives a personalized message from you asking about their experience. They say great things, and opt to publish those great things as a review on google. They’re feeling better already.

Want this experience in your practice? You can replicate it by signing up for a  free trial of ClinicSense.

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How To Write a Massage Therapy Business Plan To Create a Thriving Practice

You want a successful massage practice. Your first step is to create a massage therapy business plan.

If you think business plans are tedious, look at a massage practitioner business plan as a living guide to get you from where you are to where you want to go. You can change your plan as your practice develops, but without a guide to building your business, you're more likely to become one of the many massage therapists who quit the profession in less than five years.

Massage Therapy Business Plan Sample

Here's a sample massage business plan template with suggested topics. Change or add to this template as needed to suit the type of massage practice your want. Links will take you to an article with more information on a topic.

Want immediate access to this article and much more information on building a massage business? Click here to get my ebook Massage Business and Marketing 101 .

Business Definition and Overview

What’s your massage experience and education? If you have experience, how will you use it to build your business? If you have no experience, what type of massage practice do you want? Also ask yourself:

• Who is your ideal client? (It’s OK to have more than one, but you cannot be everything to everybody.) For example, do you want to work with people in serious pain or with a serious illness or do you prefer generally healthy people?
• Will you accept insurance?
• Where do you want to work? Your own office? Mobile? Rent space from a chiropractor or other healthcare provider? A spa?

Positioning Statement How do you want people to see your massage practice? Do you offer massage therapy to relieve stress and promote well-being and health? Do you help people who have been in accidents return to pain-free functioning? Do you offer comforting massage to people with serious illness?

Services Offered What types of massage do you offer? Do you offer other services, such as spa treatments?

Philosophy What’s your approach to massage? Why are you in this profession and what’s important about it? How do you interact with clients?

What’s Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)? What makes you different from other massage therapists? Differentiating your massage practice with a USP for massage makes it easier to market your services.

Purpose, Priorities, Goals

What do you want in your life and in your massage business? It’s a good idea to set both one-year goals and three- to five-year goals. You can always change them as your life changes, but it’s important to start by pointing yourself in a specific direction.

This sample is an excerpt from the one-year goals and priorities I set in one of my early massage therapy business plans:

1. I continue to set a strong foundation for my massage therapy career success and build a strong client base. I spend at least eight hours a week marketing my business.

2. I provide professional and superior massage therapy.

• I am fully present and provide the appropriate modalities for my clients’ needs.
• I keep appropriate records and review my client’s file before each session.
• My equipment is in excellent condition.

3. I continually improve my skills through reading and attending workshops, making use of available massage therapist business resources .

4. I earn sufficient income to meet my wants and needs.

• I gross at least $xx from massage this year.
• I make and keep a budget.
• I review my finances on a monthly basis.

5. I maintain the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, ethics, and compassion.

• I have clear, written business policies.
• I use appropriate client forms and do an intake interview with each client, asking clear, open-ended questions without judgment.
• I only practice within my scope of knowledge, abilities, and the law.
• I maintain confidentiality.

6. I actively educate people about massage.

• I send a quarterly newsletter to my clients.
• I write articles for publication.

7. I take care of myself, including receiving frequent massage, eating healthy, and exercising regularly.

• I practice proper body mechanics.
• Every day I do at least one thing just for me. Massage therapist self care is vital to having a long massage career.
• I establish regular working hours and have at least one full day off per week.

8. I have an excellent marketing plan.

• I actively market my practice at least eight hours per week.
• I participate in cooperative marketing projects and develop strategic partnerships.
• I review/update my marketing plan monthly.
• I read books and articles on practice building.

9. My office systems are efficient.

• I ask for client feedback .
• I update Quicken and my tracking sheets at least weekly.
• I am part of an ongoing business support group.
• I set up procedures to ensure my personal safety .

Financial Considerations

For the financial section of your massage therapy business plan, look at your startup costs and how you will pay for them. Startup costs are likely to include:

• Initial rent
• Massage equipment such as a portable massage table , an electric massage table , or a portable massage chair
• Supplies such as massage table sheets , massage music , and oils and creams
• Office supplies
• Marketing, including building a massage website and buying massage therapy business cards
• Massage liability insurance
• Phone/internet setup

What are your ongoing expenses? For example, rent, supplies and phone, marketing costs, continuing education, and licensing.

How much money do you need to bring in each month to live comfortably? Be realistic. Financial stress is one reason so many massage therapists quit. Make sure you budget for taxes, including self-employment tax.

If you have trouble dealing with money and numbers, get help from someone who understands the massage business.

Massage Marketing Plan

A detailed massage marketing plan is an essential part of your massage therapy business plan. Educate yourself about how to market massage, find what you are good at, and make it fun. Here are a few massage marketing tips to get you started:

• Decide on your target market (you can have more than one, but each gets a different marketing message). The biggest marketing mistake massage therapists make is lack of focus.
• Find out what your targeted market wants. Medical massage attracts different clients than spa massage. Pregnant women want something different in their massages than do professional athletes.
• Put together a marketing message to appeal to your target market. Think benefits, not features. A benefit is how you help relieve some of the discomfort of pregnancy or help injuries heal faster. A feature is your training, what technique you use, or how long you've been in practice.
• Go where your target market is. Athletes are at athletic events and read sports publications. Pregnant women are at childbirth classes and read parenting publications.
• Ask for the appointment.
• Ask for referrals.
• Be reliable. Always be on time. Return calls and respond to e-mails promptly.
• Learn about massage marketing techniques , and discover your marketing style so that you can choose what works for you.

Keep Your Plan Up-to-Date

Now that you have a massage therapy business plan, set aside time once every month or two to review it and assess where you are. Make changes as appropriate.

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Physical Therapy Massage Business Plan

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Healing Touch Massage

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Healing Touch Massage is a sole proprietorship owned by Lavinia Watkins, LMT. Ms. Watkins has been a Licensed Massage Therapist in the State of Oregon since July 1984, and has run the business from a home-based location since then. The business has consistently been profitable since its inception.

We offer massage in a variety of styles – traditional Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue work, Sports Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Reflexology, and others.

This massage therapy business plan is being used to explore the cost effectiveness of expanding by moving the business into a downtown location. This would make the services more accessible to people who work full time, and also make the office more convenient for clients with medically-ordered massage therapy.  Billing insurance companies for medically required massage is lucrative, but the nature of the therapy – usually 15 to 30 minute sessions, focused on a specific body area, with a short-term duration – makes it imperative that the clients can get in to see the therapist over their lunch hour or during their work day.

Our mission is to run a profitable business by providing therapeutic massage in a caring, professional environment. We offer massage in a variety of styles – traditional Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue work, Sports Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Reflexology, and others. Our goal is to tailor the client’s experience based on initial interview information, as well as in-the-minute feedback during the massage, to insure the client’s comfort and satisfaction, and to increase repeat business. We intend to offer massage that is effective, yet respectful of the client’s personal boundaries, so that the experience is relaxing and energizing for both the client and the provider. We are mindful of the overall experience – using quality oils and lotions, appropriate scents, and soothing music, nature sounds or silence – as the client prefers.

• Increase number of day-time clients by 100% by moving to a downtown location.
• Increase new clients by 50% by advertising locally.
• Find other LMT or other personal service provider to sublet space in new location.

Keys to Success

• Professionalism: which includes everything from maintaining confidentiality, to keeping our LMT training up-to-date, to maintaining good boundaries between clients and therapist.
• Individual Attention: making that extra effort to customize each client’s experience to his or her preference.
• Repeat business/Recommendations: giving the kind of service that brings people back for regular treatments, and encourages clients  to recommend us to friends, and other health professionals to recommend their clients.

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

Healing Touch Massage is a Sole Proprietorship owned by Lavinia Watkins, LMT. Ms. Watkins has been a Licensed Massage Therapist in the State of Oregon since July, 1984, and has run the business from a home-based location since then. In the years since first obtaining her license, Ms. Watkins has consistently taken more Continuing Education classes than required to continue her degree, and has studied a wide variety of massage and other therapeutic techniques, including: Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, Reiki, Watsu, Acupressure, Reflexology, and Integrated Breathing. As  a result, Ms. Watkins has is adept in a wide range of massage styles, and can tailor each massage to the client’s needs and preferences.

Company History

Lavinia Watkins, LMT, owner of Healing Touch Massage, has been licensed by the State of Oregon since July 1984. An initial (and expensive!) advertising blitz in the local paper helped Ms. Watkins establish an initial clientele, many of whom are still clients, some of whom she continues to offer in-home service. The bulk of her clients come to her home office, and her advertising has been primarily word of mouth for a number of years. Volunteering to work at local track and bicycle events in the late 80s established her reputation as a Sports Masseuse, and attracted another group of long-term repeat clients. In 1993, Ms. Watkins began to make contact among the local chiropractors, orthopedic surgeons, and other medical professionals in an effort to build her referrals of “medically-necessary” massage.

The increased in popularity of Section 125 and other “cafeteria plans” has given rise in recent years to clients who are able to afford regular massage by using these “pre-tax” dollar plans to increase their discretionary spending budgets for massage.

In 2000, Ms. Watkins became affiliated with the American Health Specialties Network, whose website is: http://www.ashn.com. This increased her exposure to clients with health insurance coverage that have Alternative Care coverage, and also greatly decreased the time lag and difficulties usually associated with filing insurance billing claims.

Ms Watkins is now looking at moving to a downtown location, to further increase her availability to short-term clients referred my medical professionals.

Company Ownership

Healing Touch Massage is a Sole Proprietorship owned by Lavinia Watkins, LMT. 

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

The planned move to a downtown location will facilitate access by clients recovering from injuries. We have identified this as a lucrative target market because they usually are funded by insurance claims, and represent repeat visits for a duration of up to one year. Because this group very often needs multiple, short sessions for a series of weeks or months, a downtown location would make us convenient for mid-day appointments.

It is also quite probable that other clients who work during the day would be more likely to book a day-time massage when we are more conveniently located to their place of work. Since the number of day time slots far exceeds the number of evening slots, this is increased business we would be able to book in addition to our current clients.

Market Segmentation

Clients who come for massage fall into four basic groups:

• Usually insurance will pay for short-term therapy only, although clients will sometimes supplement out-of-pocket
• High disposable income individuals
• Sometimes have chronic pain or old injury issues
• Massage 1 – 4 times a month for relaxation
• Try to have massage as regularly as they can afford – usually once per month
• Massage for improved performance – great for word-of mouth referrals if they see results

Target Market Segment Strategy

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The Injury recovery group is usually referred by a Chiropractor, self-referred through our listing on the American Specialty Health Network site, or referred by another client who found massage helpful during an injury recovery. So the marketing to this audience is done indirectly, through the referring parties. While car insurance will typically pay for massage for only a limited time period (less than one year), many health insurance policies now have Alternative Care coverage with a renewable annual maximum. And Cafeteria Plans will reimburse for “medically necessary” massage – which is a bit ironic since few, if any, medical doctors will proactively recommend massage, but most will be willing to sign off on a recommendation, if specifically asked by their patients. The rapid turnover of this group is offset by the fact that they will pay top dollar per session. The key is to keep getting new referrals.

Clients who have the disposable income to indulge in massage for self-pampering or relaxation are the core of our long-term repeat customers. These clients will come once a week to once a month for years, and often refer other family and friends. The difficulty working with these clients comes from the ‘familiarity breeds contempt” factor – they can believe they deserve lower rates, cancellations of short or no notice, and can come to seem as friends, rather than clients. The challenge here is maintain a professional relationship, while encouraging the warmth and personal connection that is as much a part of their experience as the actual massage. This type of client can be  difficult to find – an ad in the local alternative news weekly (especially with a coupon for $5 off ) or a donation to a charity auction may result in a one-time visit, or a long-term client. Another source of usually one-time visitors is the Gift Certificate – friends pampering friends for a birthday or other special occasion.

The third group are Alternative Care users. These are people who mistrust allopathic medicine, and prefer to use chiropractors, naturopaths, herbalists, acupuncturists. A local networking group of alternative care providers is a great way to get referrals, as well as placing posters on other practitioners offices, and ads in the local alternative newspaper. The problem with this group is that they can tend to have relatively small disposable incomes, so that a massage once every two months may be all they can afford. A relatively large pool of these clients will book only 20% of the available appointments in any given month. 

The final group is another backbone of this business – the amateur athletes. There is a large population of runners and bicyclists in the local areas, as well as out-of-town participants who return for annual events, and book massages during those times. This business tends to be slightly seasonal – as most amateur athletes will only train, or gear-up their training during the Spring and Summer months. However, they are a very loyal group, and will readily give word-of-mouth recommendations, especially if they see massage as having given them a specific boost to their performance. This group will cross over from the Injury group, and become long-term clients after the specific initial injury has healed. They also tend to have chronic injuries or pain, especially as they age, which can help them become repeat clients.

Service Business Analysis

The massage industry consists of several dozens of individual therapists working out of home or private offices, in addition to LMTs working in chiropractors’ offices, gyms, beauty salons, and other venues.

Additional massage services are offered by graduates of specialty schools; Rolfers, Breath Managers, Hakomi Therapists, as well as Physical Therapists.

Fortunately, massage is a very personal service, and different clients are attracted to different techniques and personalities. Healing Touch Massage offers the unique services of Lavinia Watkins, LMT, which cannot be duplicated by any other practitioner.

This business is becoming increasingly easy to “break into,” since obtaining the training necessary for licensing is not all that arduous, nor difficult to maintain. But while getting the credentials and equipment necessary to start a new massage business is easy, establishing a clientele is not, so our established practice of over 20 years duration helps us compete with the ever-available flow of LMTs graduating from local schools.

Competition and Buying Patterns

The key element in purchase decisions made by potential massage clients is trust in the professional reputation, and ultimately, in the skill and knowledge of the provider as experienced in the initial massage. For this reason, a discount coupon or donation to a charity auction can be an effective way to troll the waters for new clients. Recommendations from other clients and alternative health service providers is also critical.

While there is a range of prices charged for massage service in the area, there is some price sensitivity among the long-term clientele. Since the variable cost of each massage is nominal, the best bet has seemed to be to charge less than the market will bear. The one exception is when billing insurance companies, where there is no penalty for charging the full Reasonable and Customary Rates for the area.

Clients rarely compare massage therapists directly, although they may try a second LMT if they are not entirely happy with their first experience. Usually they follow word-of-mouth recommendations, and return for repeat sessions as often as their budget allows.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

If, as it has been said, the top three items which determine success in business are location, location, and location, then the planned move to a downtown location represents our top marketing strategy. By being more available to working clients, and by making the other health professionals who will refer those clients to us aware of our new location, we literally make ourselves accessible to more business.

Once a client experiences the level of personalized care that we offer, we are confident that we will have a return client, for as long as their funding holds out. And since we have seen many clients who began as insurance-paid injury-recovery cases turn into regular self-paying clients, we believe this will serve our long-term goal of increasing business also.

Competitive Edge

This is another section where mission and passion create the same results as “Marketing.” Our “competitive edge” is our ability to give intuitive massage – to sense in the client’s musculature, posture and presence what work is needed – where the pain is, where the tension is. There is a way that years of study of technique combine with a deep knowledge of kinesiology and anatomy, that is then synthesized with an acute sense of empathy and ability to “read” people that enables us to provide a massage experience that is exactly what each client needs at that given moment.

We have repeatedly heard of word-of-mouth recommendations bringing in new clients with words like “magic hands” and “a higher sense of healing.”

The change to having an outside-the-home office in a downtown location is both exhilarating and a bit scary. It will definitely make Healing Touch Massage accessible to more clients – and hopefully, the top-end, insurance-paid clients. But can we also retain the long-term clients who feel ‘at home” in our home office after all these years? We believe so.

Marketing Strategy

Critical to the success of the move to a new location with be the maintenance of referral – creating contacts with other health care providers, especially chiropractors. Also, researching the possibility of becoming a Preferred Provider with other health insurance companies that offer Alternative Care to their members will be critical. Any opportunity to convince allopathic physicians – MDs – to see massage as having long-term healing benefits for their patients will also be taken, since they hold to key to having massage paid for as “medically necessary.” 

Sales Strategy

It can be difficult to think of offering the best possible massage service as a sales strategy, since that is also the mission and personal passion of the owner of Healing Touch Massage. Each client comes with a specific personal agenda, both emotional and physical, and the goal is to “read” that client, and provide the pain relief, relaxation, and feeling of increased well-being that will allow that client to leave feeling satisfied.

This is one business where the service IS the sales technique. It is impossible NOT to offer completely customized services, since each client will present a unique body to be worked on. Of course, the total environment in which the service is offered – smells, lighting, sounds, feel of the linens and oils, emotional presence of the therapist – all combine with the techniques of actual tissue manipulation and knowledge of the musculo-skeletal systems to create the client’s experience.

Sales Forecast

The following table and charts give a run-down on forecasted sales. We expect sales to remain fairly stable, as the practice is relatively “full” for the present. We anticipate moving into the new downtown location in 2004. This move to a location more convenient for mid-day appointments should increase our injury/insurance billing by 50%, and our self-pampering group by at least 5%.

There is also a bit of seasonality – athletes tend to get more massage during the Spring and Summer “performance” months.  Also, we have regularly experienced a slight increase in late December, January, and May due to Gift Certificates purchased for the holidays and Mothers Day.

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

Healing Touch Massage is a sole proprietorship owned by Lavinia Watkins, LMT. Ms. Watkins has been a Licensed Massage Therapist in the State of Oregon since July 1984. Ms. Watkins has consistently taken more Continuing Education classes than required to continue her degree, and has studied a wide variety of massage and other therapeutic techniques, including: Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, Reiki, Watsu, Acupressure, Reflexology, and Integrated Breathing.

Ms. Watkins currently holds certificates of completion of the Advanced level training from the prestigious Boulder School of Sports Massage, a Second Level Reiki Degree, and 30 hours of Watsu training. She is also an avid practitioner of Ki Akido, and a member of the Eugene Zendo. She hold a BA degree from University of California, Riverside in Urban Studies, with a minor in Business. She is a member of the Oregon Association of Alternative Practitioners, and of the American Massage Therapy Association.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

The following Financial Plan represents a continuation of actual business revenues and expenses for the remainder of 2003, and then a planned increase in both revenues and expenses as a result of a location change.

Another scenario for maintaining income to match the increased expenses of the new downtown location would be to sublet part of the space to another LMT or complementary health care provider. A third scenario would be to try out a downtown location by subletting office space from a chiropractor or in an existing LMT office. Since these last two scenarios are mutually exclusive to the first, preferred plan, they are not reflected in financial plans presented here.

Important Assumptions

The financial plan depends on important assumptions, most of which are shown in the following table as annual assumptions.

The collection days are for insurance billings only, and not a factor we can influence easily. Interest rates, tax rates, and personnel burden are based on conservative assumptions.

Two of the more important underlying assumptions are:

• We assume, of course, that there are no changes to the Medical/insurance Industry, such as the nationalization of health care.

Break-even Analysis

The following chart and table summarize our break-even analysis. Because this business has been run from a home office, the fixed costs for rent and utilities have been moderate. As we move the business into a downtown location, the fixed costs will rise substantially.

The break-even assumes minimal variable costs: linens and massage oil. If having a downtown office increases the number of clients paid for by insurance, there will be additional costs per client for claims processing.

Projected Profit and Loss

Sales and expenses for 2003 are projected from YTD actuals, and seasonal variations noted over the last few years. The big change comes in 2004 and 2005, with the addition of a downtown office, which will increase the rent dramatically. As noted in the Sales Forecast, the expectation is that the number of Insurance Billing clients will rise as the business becomes more convenient for short, mid-day appointments.

There is no personnel cost other than the owner’s draw, as the company is a sole proprietorship. Payroll taxes are calculated at 15%, however, as Self Employment Taxes (FICA) must also be paid. Estimated taxes will be paid quarterly, although they are calculated monthly on this table.

Not included on this table is the scenario where the Insurance Billing clients do not increase sufficiently quickly to cover the increased cost of rent. At some point, the decision could be made to rent out part of the office space, or rent the entire space to another massage therapist for set times during the week, which would offset the same costs. If a lease needs to be signed, which is most likely for the 2004 year, it will be for one year only, to minimize the risk if the anticipated increase in Insurance Billing clients does not occur.

Projected Cash Flow

The following Cash Flow table shows us with a consistent positive Cash Flow throughout the transition. Because the business is a sole proprietorship, the amounts listed as “payroll” are, in fact, owner’s draw, so they are obviously the area of cash flow where adjustments are, and will be, made if  the Cash Flow becomes tight.

We do list a marked increase in outflow of Cash for the purchase of Fixed Assets in 2004. These would be for fixtures and lease improvement to whatever new space we rent for our new downtown location. Since all of the equipment we currently use is portable, this additional cost is fairly moderate, since it mostly represents cosmetic improvements. There is a possibility that the landlord would do many of the improvements before we moved in, in exchange for an increase in the monthly rent, which would flatten out the cash outflow a bit.

Projected Balance Sheet

The only Accounts Receivable carried is any Insurance Billings that are not paid during the month. It is rare for insurance companies to take more than 6 weeks to pay, and some pay as quickly as 10 working days, so these numbers assume that they will pay in 30 days.

The Accounts Payable is for linens (paid monthly) and lotions/supplies (usually purchased quarterly).

We assume that there will be some additional expenses, in the form of long-term assets purchased, when we move to the new office in 2004.

Business Ratios

The following table shows the projected businesses ratios. We expect to maintain healthy ratios for profitability, risk, and return. The ratios for the initial year of growth are, of course, not as favorable as the second year. And if we cannot maintain healthy ratios during that growth phase, a return to the lesser level of expenses we have historically had in a home-based business can be returned to. Industry profile ratios based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 8049.02, Physical therapists, are shown for comparison.

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How to Start a Massage Therapy Business

Last Updated: November 26, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Marty Morales . Marty Morales is a Professional Massage Therapist and the Founder and Owner of the Morales Method, a manual therapy and body conditioning business based in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Los Angeles, California. Marty has over 16 years of massage therapist experience and over 13 years of experience educating others on the best practices for massage therapy. Marty has over 10,000 hours of private practice logged and is a Certified Advanced Rolfer and Rolf Movement Practitioner, CMT. He has an MBA in Finance from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 97% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 184,574 times.

A massage therapist enhances a person’s health and well-being by manually manipulating their soft body tissues. People go to massage therapists to reduce stress and anxiety, to relax their muscles and to rehabilitate any injured muscles or areas of their body. [1] X Research source You may be a practicing massage therapist who is ready to branch out on your own or you may be new to the profession and looking to start your own business. Though starting your own business as a massage therapist can be a big step, many massage therapists work for themselves, as it allows you to have a flexible work schedule and to maximize your profits.

Getting the Necessary Certifications and Licenses

• There are many different types of massage therapy you can focus on and specialize in, such as remedial massage therapy or sports massage therapy. Though you may decide to specialize, you should be certified in extensive training on the essential techniques of massage, and have practicum hours at a clinic to get hands on experience.
• Most states in the U.S. require certification and licensing in order to register as a certified massage therapist. Alaska, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, and Wyoming are the only states that do not regulate massage therapists.

• Reach out to your local small business association for more detailed information on the licensing laws required in your state or area, as they can often tell you exactly what is required for your type of business.
• The Associated Bodywork Massage Professionals (ABMP) gives its members access to information about the licensing requirements by state. [4] X Research source

• A list of massage therapy associations in the U.S. can be found through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) website: http://www.ncbtmb.org/ .

• As well, as a self-employed individual, you will need to provide your own health insurance coverage. You may also want to invest in disability insurance, which will protect you in the event you are injured and cannot work.

Creating a Business Plan

• You may want to use your given name as your business name, given it is an uncommon or unique name. It’s likely the name “Massage by Carol Lumbort” will not be taken if you live in a small town or area, but a name like “Massage by Carol” could already be taken.
• Try to choose a business name that is unique to you but also easy to remember and read. You may decide to focus on a theme or idea that relates to massage therapy, such as “relaxation” “calming” “rehabilitation” or “releasing”. To avoid overlapping with an existing business name, you may want to then personalize this theme so it is singular to you. For example, “Relaxation with Carol Lumbort” or “Lumbort’s Calming Massage”.
• You can confirm if your business name idea has already been trademarked by searching the United States Patent and Trademark Office database through their website: http://www.uspto.gov/ . You can also do a google search of your name ideas to determine if it has already been taken by a massage therapist in your area or by another business.

• Working from home means you will have less start up costs and very little overhead costs, as the majority of the profit will be going to you, not your rent or building maintenance. However, you will need to do many jobs at once, from booking clients to stocking supplies to bringing your massage therapy supplies to and from your clients’ homes. You will likely need to also establish a home office in a spare room to keep your business documents organized.
• Renting or leasing a space will require more overhead costs and start-up costs. However, it would also allow you to service more clients at once and possibly turn a larger profit than just working on your own. You may decide to take on a business partner so you can combine your client list or hire other therapists to work in the location.

• Occupancy expenses: If you are renting or leasing a space, you will need to budget for your monthly rent and building maintenance costs. You will also need to consider other bills like a phone line, an internet connection, electricity, and heating. If you are using a home office, you may still need to budget for a separate phone line for your business.
• Operating expenses: These are expenses that are required during the day to day operation of your business. You may have operating expenses in the form of a web designer or graphic designer you hire for marketing, an accountant to file your taxes, or a massage therapist professional on contract to help you with your new practice. You may also have operating expenses in the form of materials, such as a ledger for your finances and massage therapy materials like lotions, creams, towels, blankets, and other massage supplies. You should list every possible operations item you can think of, even if it does not come into play later, to ensure you can cover everything in your budget.
• One-time expenses: These are considered “capital” expenses, which you only buy once as an investment in your business. If you have an office space, this may be furniture for the reception area and the massage room, or a computer for booking clients. If you work from home, you may decide to invest in electronic equipment that you will use primarily for your business. You will also need to invest in massage chairs for your office space or a portable massage chair you carry with you to your clients’ homes.
• Marketing expenses: This could be the web designer fee for your business website, the graphic designer fee for designing your brochures and business cards, or other advertising that you invest in to generate business. Marketing is an essential tool for building your clientele and staying profitable as a small business.

• Many banks will require a business plan and other financial documents to consider you for a business loan. If you do not qualify for a business loan from your bank, you may want to apply at other banks.
• You may also want to consider talking to investors who may be interested in investing in your business. Use your business plan to convince them that your business is viable and a worthwhile investment for them.

Finding and Retaining Clientele

• You can hire a web designer to create your website for you, or create your own website using a basic website design program like Wordpress.com or Squarespace.com.
• You can then link your website to other social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Your business should also have a Google Plus page with accurate information that appears when your business is googled by clients.

• Offering this option to your clients will likely make your business seem more appealing to clients and keep them coming back to you for your services.

• Using rewards programs can be a simple and direct way to retain your clients and to attract new clients. However, you should not lean too heavily on these programs, as your massage therapy services should be strong enough to justify return visits from your clients.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.nwhealth.edu/school-of-massage-therapy/massage-therapy-definition/
• ↑ http://www.ncbtmb.org/
• ↑ http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/2061/Set-Up-Your-Business-For-Success
• ↑ https://www.abmp.com/
• ↑ Marty Morales. Professional Massage Therapist. Expert Interview. 20 December 2019.

About This Article

Before you can start a massage therapy business, you'll need to complete massage therapy training and receive your certification. Once you're certified, you can apply for a business license and get liability insurance so you're ready to start operating your business. As a massage therapist, you can run your business from your home, or you can rent an office space to work with your clients in. If you need some help getting your business off the ground, consider applying for a business loan. To learn how to calculate your startup expenses, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Setting up a Massage Therapy Business

All you need to know about starting and running your business.

In this article

What is a Massage Therapy Business?

Massage therapy is a type of treatment that involves stroking, kneading, rolling, rubbing and the application of pressure. It also involves posture and movement re-education.

A massage therapist uses their hands, arms and equipment to manipulate their customers’ soft tissue and muscle. Massage therapy is intended to relax and heal a person’s body or assist with stiffness, pain or an injury. Massages can also improve posture and reduce blood pressure. Massages are also used to promote both physical and mental well-being and reduce stress and anxiety.

A massage therapist usually calms the client’s nervous system and relaxes their muscles while also relieving tension and focusing on specific areas of the body that cause pain or have muscular tension.

There are hundreds of different types of massages and other body treatments. You may choose to specialise in one type or offer your clients multiple options.

Some of the most common types of massage you can offer as part of your massage therapy business are:

• Swedish Massage.
• Deep Tissue Massage.
• Aromatherapy Massage.
• Sports Massage.
• Prenatal and Postnatal Massages.
• Shiatsu Massage.
• Thai Massage.
• Reflexology.
• Hot Stone Massage.
• Trigger Point Massage.
• Compression Massage.
• Lymphatic Drainage Massage.

Massages can be offered for many different parts of the body. As part of your massage therapy business, you can offer massages for:

As part of your massage therapy business, you can offer massages for:

• The full body.
• Back and shoulders.
• Head and neck.
• Hands and feet.
• Any other part of the body that is causing your client difficulties.

You may already be a practising massage therapist who is looking to start your own massage therapy business, or you may be newly qualified. If you are considering starting up a massage therapy business, you will need to have the necessary skills and training to correctly perform massages.

As well as the necessary qualifications and massage experience, you will also need a flair for business and the commitment to making your business succeed.

Types of Customers

Determining your target customer base is an essential step when setting up your massage therapy business.

The typical customers you will attract will depend on the type of massage business you set up. There are several different ways you can run your massage therapy business.

• Massage therapy within a spa that offers other treatments or the use of spa facilities.
• An at-home massage business.
• A mobile massage business.
• A massage therapy shop.

As well as the type of massage business you run, there are several other factors that can impact your customer base.

The type of massages you offer:

If you specialise in one type of massage, this could significantly impact your typical customers. For example, an athlete may choose a sports massage whereas a pregnant woman will need a prenatal massage. Certain types of massages may require you to undergo additional training so keep this in mind.

Your price points:

The cost of your massage therapy will have a significant impact on your customer base. Some people may be willing to pay higher prices for a premium massage with additional extras and a more qualified and experienced therapist, whereas other people will be looking for a more budget-friendly massage.

Your location:

Where you are located will impact your typical customers. Most people prefer convenience so will look for a massage therapist that is close to where they live or work or is in a location that is easily accessible by car. Consider the area you are based in when determining your typical customer base.

Equipment You Will Need

A massage therapy business has fewer equipment requirements than you may think. The equipment you need will be essential to the success of your business.

Higher quality equipment is recommended to ensure the comfort and safety of your customers. Massage therapy can be expensive, so your customers will expect the best equipment, tools and products.

If you set up a business that has multiple massage therapists and the capacity to treat more than one client at once, you will need to buy multiples of each piece of equipment.

Consult the list below to see your potential equipment requirements:

A massage table

A massage table is a specialist piece of equipment that is designed with both you and your clients in mind. It is raised to a height that is comfortable for you and can be moved to a lying flat or raised position. They should be wide enough and strong enough to support a range of heights and weights. Massage tables should be heavily padded, easy to clean and have a comfortable face hole. The type of massage table you need will depend on the type of business you set up. For example, a mobile therapist will need a lightweight, foldable table whereas other massage therapists may invest in an electric, hydraulic or more high-end massage table. The price of a massage table can vary significantly, from £100 to £2,000.

A massage chair

A massage chair is a type of chair that allows the massage therapist to easily treat the customer’s head, neck and shoulders. Massage chairs will have a face hole and should be padded and comfortable. Massage chairs can range from £150 to £2,000.

Towels, linens and dressing gowns

These are not only practical, but they can also enhance your customers’ experience. Ensure your towels and dressing gowns are made from high-quality material and are soft and fluffy. Linens should be soft and easy to clean. You will need multiples of each product, as they will need to be changed between each customer.

Massage bolsters and pillows

These help you to get your clients into a better position if you need to work on a particular muscle. They can support the muscle and allow it to fully relax. You will need bolsters and pillows of different shapes and sizes to support different muscles. Prices typically start at £12 for one bolster.

Massage products

This can include massage oils, lotions and creams. You will need a variety of products to suit different skin types and to cater for customers with allergies. If you offer prenatal massages, you will need specialist products that are safe to use during pregnancy. You may also need different creams and oils for different types of massage therapy.

Candles and aromas

No matter where you run your business from, you will want your massage room to smell beautiful. Candles also create a calming environment and can help your clients to relax. You will need to replace your candles regularly.

Spa music is something we all know well. It helps to create a relaxing ambience and allows your customers to view your business as a retreat. Music can enhance your clients’ mental and emotional well-being. You will need to apply for the necessary licences (we will look at this later) and pay any relevant costs.

Storage cupboards

You can choose freestanding or in-built storage areas. The price will vary depending on the size of the cupboards and any installation costs.

A washing machine and dryer

Towels, dressing gowns and linens will need to be cleaned between every client. You can expect to pay between £500 and £3,000 depending on the size, make and specification of the machines.

Cleaning materials

Some of the cleaning supplies you may require include a sweeping brush, a mop and bucket, bleach, cleaning sprays, sanitiser, cloths, sponges and other cleaning supplies. You should also supply hand sanitiser and handwashing facilities for staff and clients.

Other equipment requirements

Some of the other equipment requirements your massage therapy business may need are:

• A large vehicle (if you operate a mobile business).
• A till and Point of Sales (POS) system.
• A laptop or desktop computer (for appointments, marketing and accounting).
• Bins with closed lids.
• Personal Protective Equipment (such as aprons, masks and gloves).
• A CCTV system.
• A fully stocked first aid kit.

Typical Pricing

When planning your massage therapy business, you will need to calculate the approximate costs of setting up and running your business.

Some of the typical costs you can expect to pay are:

Equipment costs

Your equipment costs will vary significantly depending on the size of your massage business. The larger your business, the more equipment you will need, and this will raise your equipment costs. You could spend as little as £450 on equipment if you will be the only massage therapist at your business.

If you set up a massage therapy shop, the rental costs will be your biggest expenditure. Rental costs are often calculated per square metre and can range significantly, from £500 to £15,000 per square metre annually. Expect to pay higher rental costs if you are located in a city centre or more expensive area.

Refurbishment and installation

If you open a massage therapy shop, you will likely need to refurbish or convert your premises. You will also want to decorate your premises to fit the aesthetic of your business and make it attractive to customers. Renovation costs can vary, depending on the level and scale of work required.

If you operate a mobile massage therapy business, you will need to purchase a reliable vehicle that is big enough to transport your equipment. The cost of a vehicle can vary, depending on whether it is new or used, and the make and model of the vehicle. Prices can range from £5,000 for a used vehicle. A new vehicle will typically retail from £20,000.

Replenishing products

Products such as oils, creams and candles will need to be replenished regularly. The cost of replenishing products will depend on how many treatments you give per month.

Replacing equipment and equipment maintenance

Repairs, maintenance and replacements are ongoing costs you will need to factor into your budget. Your equipment is an essential part of your massage therapy business, and without it, you would not be able to operate your business.

Running costs

Your running costs will depend on the type of massage therapy business you set up. They could include electricity, gas, water, taxes and your vehicle running costs.

Branding could include creating your business’s visual identity, a logo, your business name, and your business website. You can hire a professional to help you with branding or do some of the work yourself. Branding can cost between £500 and £10,000, depending on the level of branding you require.

Advertising and marketing

Marketing and advertising are great ways of growing your business. If you run a home-based or mobile massage therapy business, you may require more advertising than businesses that run out of a salon. It is recommended that you spend no more than 10% of your annual revenue on advertising costs. As your business becomes more successful, you may be able to reduce your advertising costs.

If you set up a massage therapy shop, you may hire staff, such as other therapists, administrative staff or cleaners. If your hire employees as permanent staff, you will need to pay your staff at least the national minimum wage of £9.50 per hour. You should also account for holiday pay, sick pay and maternity/paternity pay.

Business insurance

There are different types of insurance you can get for your massage therapy business. The monthly costs will depend on the insurance provider you choose and your coverage level.

Your coverage could include:

• Public Liability.
• Product Liability.
• Employers’ Liability.
• Professional Indemnity.
• Personal Accident.
• Legal Expenses.

Once you have calculated the typical costs associated with your massage therapy business, you can then calculate your pricing strategy. On average, massage therapists in the UK charge £40 per hour.

However, this price can vary, depending on several factors:

• Whether you operate from a massage therapy shop or spa or if your business is mobile or at home.
• The location of your business.
• The type of massage you offer.
• The types of products you use.
• The training and qualifications of you and your staff.
• Any extras you provide.

Safely Running a Massage Therapy Business

Safe practices are essential to protect you, your clients, your employees and your business.

Some ways you can safely run your massage therapy business are:

Register with an accredited body

Although not legally required, registering with an accredited body can help your business to operate more safely. It can also offer reassurance to potential customers and increase your customer base.

Accredited bodies you could choose to register with include:

• The General Regulatory Council for Complementary Therapies (GRCCT).
• Federation of Holistic Therapies (FHT).
• Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).
• Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

Purchase insurance

Although insurance is not usually legally required for massage therapists, it is recommended as it can protect you, your business and your clients. Consult the list above to determine the type of coverage you may require.

Exercise your right to terminate the treatment

If you feel threatened or unsafe or a patient doesn’t maintain professional boundaries or acts inappropriately, you have the right to terminate the treatment immediately. You could have your code of ethics visible to customers or ask them to sign a contract stating they will act appropriately. If you ever feel uncomfortable or threatened in any way, terminate the treatment and contact the police, if necessary.

Have a ‘check in’ system in place

If you operate your massage therapy business alone, particularly if you work from home or operate a mobile business, you should have a system in place that can help to protect you. This could include giving your schedule to a trusted person and having a ‘check in’ schedule, where you make contact with someone after each treatment. You could also make your location discoverable on your phone or smartwatch so that a trusted person can locate you, if necessary.

Obtain the relevant qualifications

Although qualifications are not a legal necessity, training and qualifications can help you to ensure safe practices and make your massage therapy business more successful. You have several qualification options:

• ITEC (Level 3 RQF) Diploma.
• Massage therapist apprenticeship.
• BSc Honours Degree in Sports Massage Therapy.
• BTEC Level 6 Professional Diploma.

Use personal protective equipment (PPE)

PPE can help to protect the health and safety of you, your employees and your customers. Some PPE you may require includes:

Conduct risk assessments

Risk assessments are only legally required for businesses with more than five employees. However, even if you have fewer employees, risk assessments can help you to identify any potential risks or hazards and then implement any necessary safety measures. This can help you to safely run your business.

Safely store and dispose of products and equipment

Ensure all products are stored in a temperature-controlled area and are covered, with no risk of leaks, spillages or contamination. Any particularly hazardous products should be kept away from customers. You must also dispose of products and old equipment safely.

Implement a cleaning policy

Having effective cleaning procedures is essential for your massage therapy business. A cleaning schedule and cleaning policies should be in place. Ensure you clean any equipment after each client and follow handwashing procedures.

Legal Requirements

The massage therapy industry is, surprisingly, unregulated in the UK. Although you may have fewer legal requirements to adhere to, compared to other businesses, there are still some specific legalities you must comply with:

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (1974)

This Act is the legal framework for promoting and maintaining high standards of health and safety in the workplace. As the business owner, you must conduct risk assessments, provide hygienic facilities, report and record injuries and have relevant insurance coverage.

The Manual Handling Regulations (1992)

Manual handling is an inevitable part of massage therapy. You could be bending down, moving heavy goods and using repetitive movement. Following manual handling regulations can help to protect you and your employees from sustaining an injury or illness as a result of manual handling tasks.

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations (1981)

These regulations state that your business should have appropriate first aid treatment and a specified first aid trainer at all times. If you are the sole massage therapist in your business, you will be the appointed first-aider. You will need a fully stocked first aid kit, which will need to be transported with you if you operate a mobile business.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations

The COSHH regulations state that you must control any substances that are potentially hazardous. You should also assess, control and reduce any risks or potential hazards and protect people from harm. This could include chemicals in the products you use.

The Data Protection Act (2018)

The Data Protection Act controls how businesses use personal information. Personal data should be safeguarded from corruption, compromise or loss. You must inform your customers about how their data is being used and only use data in a way that is lawful and fair.

The Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations (2008)

The Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations apply to any products or substances that come into contact with the human body, including the skin. Your business should not use any products that could harm a person’s health or contain any prohibited substances. Your business must also comply with the regulations on labelling and animal testing.

Implement health and safety policies and fire safety procedures

All businesses should have health and safety policies that help to manage health and safety in your business. They protect the health and safety of you, your customers and your business. You are also responsible for fire safety on your premises (if relevant). This could include conducting fire risk assessments and implementing fire safety measures and emergency procedures.

Register as self-employed with HMRC

Running your massage therapy business as an individual or as a self-employed person requires you to register as a sole trader. You will need to register the name of your business and keep records of all your income, profits and expenses.

Apply for a music licence

Music is usually played during massage therapy to help your customers feel relaxed. You will need to apply for a licence to play background music from the PPL PRS and pay an annual fee.

Comply with employment legislation

If you hire any staff, you must comply with all areas of employment legislation, including recruitment, pay, working hours, holidays, sickness, maternity, paternity, discrimination and dismissals.

Positives of Owning a Massage Therapy Business

A massage therapy business can be an extremely rewarding career choice in many ways.

Some of the main pros associated with starting up a massage therapy business are:

It’s a growing market

Massage therapy and other treatments are growing in popularity. More people are visiting massage therapists and demand is growing every year, making it more likely that your business will succeed.

High income potential

Massage therapists usually charge their clients high prices per hour. This gives you the opportunity to earn a high income, especially if you have a large client base and operate full time.

Opportunities to grow your business

You could expand your business by offering additional treatments, hiring other therapists or expanding your business to additional locations. If you begin by operating an at-home or mobile massage therapy business, you could grow your business by opening your own shop or spa.

You are your own boss

Being your own boss gives you the flexibility to design your business, choose the treatments you offer, and choose your operating hours. Running your own business gives you freedom and flexibility and gives you complete control.

Flexibility

Massage therapists can have flexible schedules. You can choose to work weekdays, evenings or weekends, part time or full time. You also have flexibility with the type of business you set up and how and where you operate.

High customer retention

Massage therapists help people relax and de-stress. You can also help people who are struggling with pain or injuries. Once people find a massage therapist who helps their mental or physical health and who they are comfortable with, they will usually stay loyal to them and will give you repeat business.

Job satisfaction

Improving your customers’ physical and mental well-being can be extremely rewarding. Making a difference to a person’s health while also making money and seeing your business grow can result in great job satisfaction.

Few start-up costs

A massage therapy business can be a relatively low-cost enterprise. You can set up a successful business for a low cost and keep your running costs low to help maximise your profits.

Predictable income stream

Most of your appointments will be booked ahead of time, making it easier to predict your income. You may also have customers who visit you at the same time every week, making your profits more reliable.

Gain exposure and experience

With the rise of the internet, it’s easier than ever to gain exposure. Your customers may write positive reviews online or post about your treatments on their social media. This can help you to gain more customers and increase your business.

A people orientated profession

If you enjoy face-to-face interaction and want a job where you can spend your days with people, a massage therapy business is a great career choice for you. Treating different customers every day can make your work interesting and engaging.

Be part of your local community

You could operate a successful business in your local community and offer a personalised experience to your customers. Massage therapy requires a high level of trust. You could develop strong connections with your customers and receive word of mouth recommendations.

Offer a personalised customer experience

You can offer a tailored experience and personalised consultations and treatments. This allows you to target and treat the specific areas that your customers are having problems with and tailor your therapy accordingly. Not only can this improve your customers’ experience and result in repeat business and recommendations, but it can also make your job more enjoyable.

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

Certain times of the year may be busier than others, with less custom at other times of the year. This can result in inconsistent profits. As massage therapy can be quite expensive, you may also see a significant drop in business during times of economic hardship or recessions.

Your business could fail

Setting up your own business can be risky. Many new businesses fail which could result in you losing money or getting into debt. Your massage therapy business could fail for a number of reasons, such as if you have a lot of local competition, you don’t plan your business efficiently, or the UK encounters another recession or period of financial difficulty.

High liability

A massage therapy business has many potential risks that could result in liability issues for you and your business. This could include employee accidents or injuries, the risks associated with using certain products and equipment and the risks of causing injury to your clients.

It can be stressful

Being responsible for the success of your massage therapy business can be stressful. Gaining clients, growing your business, ensuring health and safety and making a profit can be stress-inducing. Running your own business can be particularly stressful in your business’s first year of operation.

Motivation of employees

If you employ staff in your massage therapy business, you may find that they are unmotivated, disinterested or don’t operate to your standards. This can result in bad reviews or the loss of custom which can have a detrimental effect on your business.

High time commitment

Massage therapy businesses are often more popular in the evening and on weekends. This could result in you working unsociable hours. You also need to factor in the time you will need to spend on administrative duties. Running your business can be time-consuming.

Planning Your Massage Therapy Business

When creating your business plan, there are several considerations you will need to make:

What type of massage business are you going to set up?

Are you going to set up your own shop, operate from a spa or run an at-home or mobile business? The type of business you run will have a significant effect on your start-up and running costs, your pricing strategy and your customer base. You could change the type of business you run as your business grows.

What type of massage(s) will you specialise in?

You may choose to specialise in one specific type of massage or offer multiple massage therapies. Some types of massage, such as sports massage, may require specific training or qualifications.

Determine your typical customer base

Identifying your target customer base is an important part of your business plan. It can help you determine your price points and your location.

What are your equipment requirements?

Consult the list above to determine your equipment requirements. The equipment you require will depend on the type of business you run, and the massage therapies you offer. Calculate the cost of the equipment and whether there is any equipment you can purchase at a later date. You could also look into whether any of the equipment can be rented rather than purchased.

Calculate your start-up costs and running costs

Consult the list above to help you calculate the approximate costs of setting up and running your massage therapy business. Estimate how much initial investment you require and when you are likely to start turning a profit. Calculating your start-up costs can help you determine whether you can finance the business yourself or whether you need to source outside investment.

What is your local competition?

Consider your local competition to help you determine how to make your massage therapy business a success. Look at the type of massage therapy you offer, their pricing strategy and their advertising and marketing. You can then decide how to make your business stand out and how to attract customers.

Determine your pricing

Your pricing will depend on several factors, such as the type of massage therapy you offer, your start-up costs and running costs, your location, and your local competition.

What are your business objectives?

Business objectives are crucial for creating a successful business plan. Your business objectives highlight the targets and goals of your massage business and help you to create a one-year, three-year, and five-year business plan to help you grow your business.

Your business objectives should be SMART:

• S = Specific
• M = Measurable
• A = Achievable
• R = Realistic
• T = Time-bound

Check you have complied with all legal requirements

Consult the list of legal requirements above and ensure you fully comply when setting up and running your massage therapy business. Failure to comply with the legal requirements could have a detrimental effect on your business.

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How to Set Business Goals to Grow Your Massage Practice

Goals motivate us and keep us moving in the direction that we really want to go. They can help us to become clear about what we really want, and prevent us from wasting time working on irrelevant distractions. Every massage therapy practice owner should take some time to create goals for their business, their career and themselves.

Working towards a personally and professionally inspiring goal motivates us to learn and grow. After all, it is progress and growth that make us feel happy and fulfilled in life. Without a goal, how would you know if your daily actions are progressing you toward the life you really want?

Take a little time to set some good goals for your massage business, and then spend a couple of minutes per day reviewing your goals. This will take a little time up front, but it will save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run. The worst thing is to spend days, months or even years focusing on the wrong thing.

Why set business goals for a massage practice?

Goals keep us focused and drive us forward. There are a lot of people who have worked really hard only to realize that they ended up somewhere they didn’t want to be. Many massage therapists who are pursuing massage therapy as a second or even third career have first-hand experience of this.

We’ve all heard how important it is to have a business and marketing plan. Well, goals are what help you come up with your desired destination, before you can map out a plan to get there.

Here are some of the benefits of creating goals for your massage therapy practice:

• Goals can keep you from feeling overwhelmed by breaking down the big goals into short-term goals and milestones
• Goals let you determine if what you are doing is working, or if you need to change your strategy
• Decision-making is easier when you have a clear idea about your desired outcome
• Prioritizing how you spend your time is easier because you can eliminate the nonessential things
• Goal setting helps you weigh decisions and reduce feelings of uncertainty. You know what you want and have created a plan to achieve it.
• Goals keeps us motivated
• Having goals increases the likelihood of achieving success in our massage career

The process of establishing goals provides a time to reflect on what is important, both professionally and personally.

Maybe your main goal is to create a reliable source of income to provide for your family and be financially secure. Or maybe you want to build a thriving practice to prove to yourself or someone else that you can achieve something big. Or maybe you are just getting started in your massage career . Whatever your desired outcome is, the process of creating goals will shed some light on what really drives you.

I don’t focus on what I’m up against. I focus on my goals and I try to ignore the rest. Venus Williams

Your massage business goals will keep you centered

Setting personal and professional goals for your massage therapy business can help to keep you centered and focused. Kind of like meditation.

During focused attention meditation, you focus on a single object such as your breathing. What frequently happens then is another thought pops into your head. It’s easy to follow that thought down the rabbit trail to a full-blown mental dialogue. By then it is harder to get back to focusing on your breathing. The way to stay focused on your breath when a thought pops into your head is to just acknowledge it as a thought, refuse to entertain it, and immediately get back to focusing on your breath. Over time, fewer distractions appear, and it becomes easier to avoid becoming distracted by them.

Just like a meditator may chose to focus on breath, a person who desires to succeed at something may choose to focus on his or her goals. Your goals will keep you centered, focused and on the path that you decide you want to be on.

Establish short-term and long-term massage business goals

It is a good idea to write both short-term and long-term goals for your massage practice. Short-term goals are usually something that you can accomplish in a few weeks to 1 year. Long-term goals can range anywhere from 3 years to 10 years, or even 20 years.

It’s beneficial to have a long-term vision for yourself and your massage business. But be careful with getting too caught up in focusing on goals for 20 years from now. So many things can change, and over that long of time period, there will likely be new opportunities and priorities to consider that are impossible to predict at this time.

Personally, I like 30-day goals. This is a long enough time frame to get something meaningful done. And it instills a sense of urgency . These short-term goals can also help anyone who struggles with procrastination .

There is a principle called Parkinson’s Law which states that the time required to complete a task tends to extend to all the time that we have allowed to perform it . In other words, if there is a task that really takes you 1 day to complete, but allow yourself a week to complete it, then it will probably take you a week. So whenever possible, try to set tight (but reasonable) deadlines for yourself.

Make sure your short-term goals lead towards your long-term goals. For example, say your 5-year goal is to grow your practice into a day spa with a few employees so that you can make a good income and take on more of a leadership role. It wouldn’t make sense for your short-term goals to be about finding balance and figuring out how you can spend more time traveling. Short-term and long-term goals should be lined up like dominoes.

Milestones  are actions or accomplishments that show when you’re making progress towards one of your goals. Like a trail marker, or mile marker on the highway. Establish some milestones to show you’re on your way to building a thriving massage practice. An example of a milestone is: Consistently working on at least 15 clients per week for 4 weeks in a row. Another example of a milestone for a new massage therapist is passing the MBLEx massage exam or getting your first massage job .

What makes a massage business goal effective?

Goals should be big enough to excite , inspire and  challenge  you. A boring goal won’t get you out of bed in the morning! An easy goal won’t make you feel like you accomplished anything. Working towards a worthy goal should make you feel uncomfortable at times, because you are growing. *Growth happens when we are outside of our comfort zone.

It helps if you have a strong emotional reason to achieve each goal. Because when it gets tough, you will need a strong reason to keep driving you forward. So be clear about  why  each goal is important to you. The  how  is often the easy part.  How  isn’t as important as why . In fact, it is best to not get too attached to your strategy, because if something doesn’t work, you will need to try another strategy to achieve your goal.

To be clear, things like “To be happy” “To be healthy” “To follow my passion” “To enjoy life” these aren’t goals. These are wishes, or choices. You can choose each of these. And they are not specific, measureable, action-oriented or time-specific. Pretty much everybody wants these things.

People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going. Earl Nightingale

How to write SMART goals for your massage practice

Like treatment goals, massage business goals need to include certain elements to be effective. All healthcare professionals have heard of SMART goals. This is the same goal-writing system that most massage therapists are taught to use when documenting a client assessment or writing a SOAP note . There are other acronyms to help you come up with well-written goals, but this is a good place to start. You will probably notice that the letters SMART stand for different things, depending on the source that you reference.

• Specific : Include specific details, keywords and numbers. State the specific outcome that you want to achieve with this goal.
• Measurable : How will you determine if you met this goal? Use a metric that will clearly show if you met this goal or not. This could be the number of massage clients , percent growth, revenue in dollars, etc.
• Achievable or Actionable : Write goals that are possible to achieve but are still challenging. The key is to create goals that stretch you but don’t strain you. For most beginning massage therapists, having a booked practice within 6 months is unrealistic. It is possible, but you may be setting yourself up for burnout and overwhelm. Instead, allow yourself time to get through the learning curve.
• Relevant or Realistic : Create goals that move you toward your big-picture, long-term goals. If your long-term vision is to own a massage practice and hire employees, a short-term goal to get degree in education doesn’t make a lot sense.
• Time – bound or Timely : Wanting something, without a deadline to achieve it and plan of action is merely a dream. Decide on a deadline that lights a fire under your feet but doesn’t overwhelm you. ***People often overestimate what they can accomplish in a month, and underestimate what they can accomplish in a year.

It is important to write down your massage business goals

Don’t just keep your goals in your head! Write them down and review your top goals daily .

Also, don’t wait for New Year, or the beginning of next month, or any other arbitrary date. If you have a goal that is really important to you, then begin now. Why would you wait to achieve something important to you?

Examples of written goals:

See if you can make these even better. Try inserting an inspiring reason  why  at the end of each goal.

Other examples of useful business goals

Outcome goals  are often used to impress potential referring partners. For example, “93% of my massage clients achieved their therapy goals by the 6 th  visit.”

Growth goals  become relevant after you’ve started getting steady business. For example, “I will grow my practice income 25% per year for the next 3 years.”

Be careful with popularity goals or social media goals. Having a lot of likes and followers doesn’t necessarily translate into revenue for your practice. You can’t pay the bills with a thumbs up.

A goal can also be about your own attitude . “I will dedicate myself 100% to building my massage practice over the next 12 months, to prove to myself what I can accomplish.”

Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars. Les Brown

Track and measure your progress

The best way to know if you’re making progress towards your long-term massage business goal is to see which milestones and short-term goals you’ve met. You should be looking at your top goals daily . Keep them in front of you because they will guide all of your decisions.

And several times per year, look at your long-term goal and ask yourself, “Is this still the best goal for me?” Circumstances change, and sometimes a goal that was previously important can become irrelevant. Or you may have something that has become more important to you.

What to do when you don’t achieve your goals

No worries. If the goal is still important to you, simply set a new deadline and get back to work. You may also want to examine what strategies and tactics you have been using. It may be time to try a new approach.

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps. Confucius

Don’t be scared to “burn the boats”. This means don’t give yourself a way out . Commit to achieving your goals. Everybody gets off course. You may find yourself off course several times per day. Don’t sweat it. Just take a minute to look at your goals and get back on course.

Try to avoid looking around for external circumstances or other people to blame for you not achieving your goals. Instead, look within. Own up to your own successes and failures . It is far easier to change yourself than it is to change other people anyway.

30-minute goal-setting exercise for a growing massage practice

In just 30 minutes you can establish some effective goals. Use a timer. Like brainstorming, faster is better because you don’t want to overthink this. You can reword things later. To get started, shut out all distractions. Start by envisioning how you want your massage practice to look in 3-5 years, and then reverse engineer what you need to do to get to that point.

• Take 5 minutes to reflect on what you want your massage practice to be like in 3-5 years. Consider: location, clients, income, network, employees(?), other services(?), schedule, website, what other skills you want to have, etc. What would your ideal practice look like? Jot down notes quickly as you reflect.
• Write your long-term goal in 1-2 sentences based on what you just came up with. (5 minutes)
• To meet this long-term goal, what are the 3 most important things that you need to accomplish by the end of year 1? Write these down as  three short-term goals . (5 minutes)
• To meet these three 1-year goals, what are the 3 most important things you need to accomplish in the  next 3 months ? Write these down as your  top 3 short-term milestones . (5 minutes)
• Finally, come up with your  action steps . What are the most important actions that you need to take now, and over the next 3 months to meet your short-term goals? (10 minutes)

It is a good idea to periodically re-visit your goals to see if they are still what you want. The only thing that’s left is to start taking action. So commit to your goals, direct your energy to achieve them, and enjoy the journey.

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How to Start a Massage Therapy Business

Congratulations! Now that you have received your Certificate IV in Massage Therapy , obtained membership with Australia's peak massage associations , and secured your Professional Indemnity Insurance , you're ready to launch your career in massage and even set up your own massage therapy business. But, where do you begin? Wonder no more because this step-by-step guide takes you through nine things that will ensure your long-term success in the massage industry.

But before proceeding, always keep in the back of your mind — and in the core of your heart — your main objective for choosing your profession. Helping people to release stress, emotional and physical pain, and to achieve total relaxation through safe massage treatments is the holy grail of professional massage therapists like yourself. Nobody failed by maintaining high-quality services. In fact, it earned them a loyal client base.

The Benefits of Establishing a Massage Therapy Business

Massage therapy is a rapidly growing industry, and starting a massage therapy business can offer numerous benefits. Beyond the personal fulfillment of helping others, a massage therapy business provides a unique opportunity to create a thriving and rewarding career. Let's explore the advantages of establishing a massage therapy business and how it can positively impact both the therapist and the clients.

Fulfillment and Passion

Operating a massage therapy business allows individuals to turn their passion for healing and wellness into a fulfilling career. The satisfaction of providing relief, relaxation and rejuvenation to clients through the power of touch can be immensely rewarding. Seeing the positive impact of your work on clients' physical and mental wellbeing is a source of personal fulfillment that few other professions can offer.

Flexibility and Independence

One of the major advantages of owning a massage therapy business is the flexibility it provides. As a business owner, you have the freedom to set your own schedule, deciding when and how much you work. This flexibility allows for a better work-life balance and the ability to cater to personal commitments or other interests. It also grants the opportunity to explore different modalities, techniques and client populations that align with your interests and expertise.

Financial Opportunities

A massage therapy business has the potential for financial success. By establishing a solid client base and delivering exceptional services, you can generate a steady income. As your reputation and demand grow, you have the opportunity to increase your rates and expand your services, further enhancing your earning potential. Additionally, as a business owner, you have control over your expenses, allowing you to manage your finances more effectively.

Positive Impact on Clients' Wellbeing

Massage therapy offers a myriad of benefits for clients, making it a sought-after service. The power of touch and skilled manipulation of muscles and soft tissues can relieve pain, reduce stress, improve circulation, enhance flexibility and promote overall wellbeing. By providing these therapeutic benefits, you can have a profound impact on your clients' physical, emotional and mental health, helping them achieve a better quality of life.

Long-Term Client Relationships

Building strong and lasting relationships with clients is an inherent part of a massage therapy business. As clients experience the benefits of your treatments, they often become loyal and regular patrons. Developing trust and rapport with your clients allows for ongoing care and the ability to address their specific needs effectively. These long-term relationships not only contribute to the success of your business but also create a supportive and fulfilling professional environment.

Continuous Learning and Personal Growth

The field of massage therapy is constantly evolving, offering opportunities for continuous learning and personal growth. As a massage therapist and business owner, you can explore new techniques, modalities and advancements in the industry. Attending workshops, seminars and conferences allows you to expand your skill set, enhance your knowledge and stay updated with the latest trends, positioning yourself as a knowledgeable expert in your field.

Establishing a massage therapy business provides numerous advantages that go beyond financial rewards. It allows individuals to follow their passion, enjoy flexibility and independence, positively impact clients' wellbeing, build long-term relationships and engage in continuous learning and personal growth. If you have a genuine interest in healing and wellness, starting a massage therapy business can be a deeply fulfilling and prosperous venture.

Targeting Your Market Niche for Your Massage Therapy Business

In the highly competitive field of massage therapy, identifying and targeting a specific market niche can significantly enhance the success and growth of your business. By tailoring your services to a particular segment of the market, you can establish yourself as an expert in that area, attract the right clientele and differentiate yourself from the competition. Here are 7 ways to achieve this:

1. Understand the Power of Specialisation

Specialising in a specific niche allows you to focus your expertise, resources and marketing efforts towards a defined group of clients. Rather than being a generalist offering a wide range of massage techniques, honing in on a niche enables you to develop a deep understanding of the unique needs, preferences and challenges faced by your target market. This specialisation positions you as a go-to expert, increasing your credibility and attracting clients seeking specialised services.

2. Research and Analyse your Target Market

To effectively target a market niche, thorough research and analysis are essential. Identify the characteristics and demographics of your potential clients, including age, gender, occupation, lifestyle, and specific concerns or conditions they may have. Use surveys, interviews, and online research to gather insights and understand their motivations, pain points, and preferences. This information will guide your marketing strategies and help tailor your services to meet their specific needs.

3. Identify a Niche that Aligns with Your Passion and Skills

When selecting a niche, it is important to choose one that aligns with your passion, interests and skills. Consider your own strengths, experiences and areas of expertise. For example, you may have a background in sports or have a keen interest in prenatal massage. By focusing on a niche that resonates with you, you are more likely to provide exceptional service, connect with clients on a deeper level and maintain long-term enthusiasm for your work.

4. Tailor Your Services to Meet Specific Needs

Once you have identified your target market niche, customise your services to cater to their unique needs and preferences. Develop specialised treatment plans, techniques and approaches that address their specific concerns. For instance, if targeting athletes, you may offer sports massage, injury prevention techniques and rehabilitation support. By tailoring your services, you position yourself as a specialist who understands and can effectively address the challenges faced by your niche market.

5. Create Targeted Marketing Campaigns

Marketing plays a crucial role in reaching and attracting your target niche. Develop targeted marketing campaigns that highlight the benefits and value of your specialised services. Craft compelling and tailored messages that resonate with their needs, emphasising the unique advantages you offer as a specialist in their specific area.

6. Build Relationships and Referral Networks

Building relationships within your target market niche is vital for the long-term success of your massage therapy business. Attend industry events, network with professionals who serve a similar clientele and collaborate with complementary businesses, such as chiropractors or fitness centres. These connections can lead to referrals and partnerships, expanding your reach within your niche market.

7. Evolve and Adapt to Market Demands

Keep a pulse on your niche market and stay updated with the latest trends, research and developments. Continuously seek feedback from your clients to understand their evolving needs and preferences. This information will help you adapt your services, introduce new offerings and remain at the forefront of your niche, ensuring your business stays relevant and competitive.

Essential Equipment for Your Massage Therapy Business

Equipping your massage therapy business with the right tools and equipment is crucial to providing a comfortable and effective experience for your clients. Having the essential equipment not only enhances the quality of your services but also contributes to the overall professionalism and success of your business. Here's a rundown of the key equipment items that every massage therapist should consider investing in.

Massage Table

A high-quality massage table is the foundation of your practice. Look for a table that is sturdy, adjustable and comfortable for your clients. Consider features such as cushioning, width and height adjustment options to accommodate different body types and ensure optimal positioning during treatments. Portable massage tables are also convenient for therapists who offer mobile services.

Bolsters and Cushions

Bolsters and cushions provide additional support and comfort for clients during their massage sessions. They can be used to position clients in different postures and relieve pressure on specific areas of the body. Invest in various sizes and shapes of bolsters and cushions to cater to different treatment needs and enhance client comfort.

Massage Chairs

Massage chairs are a versatile and convenient addition to your equipment list, particularly if you offer on-site or corporate massage services. These portable chairs allow you to provide seated massages, making it easier to target specific areas such as the neck, shoulders and back. Look for chairs that are lightweight, adjustable and ergonomically designed to ensure client comfort.

Linens and Towels

High-quality linens and towels are essential for maintaining cleanliness, hygiene and client comfort. Stock up on soft, durable sheets, face cradle covers and blankets to create a welcoming and professional environment. Ensure you have an ample supply of towels for draping clients and for post-massage cleanup.

Massage Oils, Lotions and Creams

Choose a selection of high-quality massage oils, lotions and creams to suit different client preferences and skin types. Consider using hypoallergenic and natural products that promote relaxation and nourish the skin. Experiment with different scents and textures to enhance the sensory experience for your clients.

Hot Stone Set and Warmers

Hot stone massage therapy is a popular technique that can add an extra level of relaxation and therapeutic benefit to your services. Invest in a hot stone set that includes smooth, heated stones, and a stone heater/warmer to maintain their temperature during treatments. Ensure you follow proper safety protocols when using hot stones.

Aromatherapy Diffuser and Essential Oils

Aromatherapy can enhance the ambiance of your massage space and promote relaxation. Consider investing in an aromatherapy diffuser and a selection of high-quality essential oils. Choose scents known for their calming properties, such as lavender, chamomile or eucalyptus, to create a soothing and rejuvenating atmosphere.

Storage and Organisation Solutions

To maintain a tidy and efficient workspace, invest in storage and organisation solutions. Cabinets, shelves and drawers can help keep your equipment, supplies and accessories organised and easily accessible. This promotes a professional image and ensures smooth workflow during treatments.

Cleaning and Sanitising Supplies

Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is crucial in a massage therapy business. Stock up on cleaning supplies, disinfectants and sanitising wipes to regularly clean your equipment, massage table, and other surfaces. Provide hand sanitisers or handwashing stations for both you and your clients.

Equipping your massage therapy business with the essential equipment ensures that you can provide high-quality services and create a professional and comfortable atmosphere for your clients. With the right equipment, you can elevate the overall experience and success of your massage therapy business.

9 Steps for Starting a Massage Therapy Business

Starting a massage therapy business can be an exciting and rewarding venture, but it requires careful planning and a solid understanding of the industry. From creating a solid business plan to setting up a website, exploting social media and finding a good supplier for your massage equipment, we will explore nine key steps that will set you on the path to establishing a thriving and fulfilling massage therapy business.

Step #1 Plan Your Start-up Cost 

Before starting any type of business, you need to visualise it and lay out a plan to avoid draining your nest egg and burying yourself in debt. In regard with your massage business, consider the cost of having a new clinic built versus the cost of renting a commercial space for massage treatment sessions . The cost of massage tables, sheets, face cradles, massage oils and whatnot should also be factored into your total expenses. 

You don't need ultra-expensive equipment, but you want to invest in the basics that are of high quality; the kind which not only ensures your clients' safety and comfort but will also last for years to come. It's extremely crucial that your equipment matches the type of massage you offer. Meaning, if you provide specialized massages like pregnancy massage therapy , for instance, you will need a massage table that can support the back and belly of a pregnant woman. If you provide corporate massage, you must invest in portable massage chairs.

Don't forget to include the costs of brochures, marketing tools and massage courses for meeting your continuing education requirements in your computation. You also need to take into account miscellaneous and ongoing expenses like a cash register, computer unit, ledgers and laundry services, among others.

Step #2 Think up a Unique Business Name

The name of your business is crucial to your success, so don't come up with one in haste. Avoid anything that's hard to pronounce or too long to recall. Keep in mind that consumers want it easy and simple. However, this doesn't mean you should forgo your creativity; flaunt it by all means while working out a couple of names that you can register with the Business Registration Service .

Step #3 Apply for an ABN

Once you have successfully come up with a unique business name, you need to get an Australian Business Number , otherwise referred to as ABN. This 11-digit number allows you to claim goods and services tax (GST) credits, get an Australian domain name to add credibility to your business, and easily process your tax payments. 

You only need to present a valid ID and the documents that bear the nature of your business when you apply for an ABN.

Step #4 Observe Statutory Codes Applicable to the Practice of Massage

Although it's a self-regulated practice in Australia, massage therapists are expected to observe statutory codes that apply to their profession at all times. Depending on where they live, they must also comply with state-specific massage therapy licensing requirements first before they can start operating their massage therapy business. 

Step #5 Sort Out Your Business Bank Account

Don't mix business with your personal affairs, not even in your bank account because you'll only end up confused. Open a separate account where you can put away the money that goes into your massage therapy business and monitor its movement. It would also be wise to get a credit card solely for expenses concerning your day-to-day operations.

Step #6 Build a Website and Exploit Other Marketing Tools

Now now, your website is only as good as the work that you put into it. You can wait (and hope) for people to stumble on it one day or expand its presence and let the whole world know about your amazing massage techniques by listing your business to Natural Therapy Pages and including your website in your profile. This will no doubt drive thousands of clients to your doorstep and increase your monthly revenue over time.

As a registered member, you can also access tips for upgrading your massage skills, updates regarding the massage industry, and other helpful resources to improve your marketing strategy. 

Step #7 Make Your Presence Felt on Social Media

To prevent your marketing efforts from turning futile, don't forget to maximise the power of social media . Everyone goes to Facebook , YouTube , Twitter and Instagram to find or learn more about a business. If you're nowhere to be found, then you cease to exist for them even if you actually do. That is why it's important to let potential clients know where to find you in case they would need your massage service by adding your social media accounts to your business cards, email signature and brochures.

Being present on social media means being an active listener and quick to address the concerns of people who show interest in your business. Posting a menu of your services and the massage techniques you specialise in isn't enough to entice people to visit your massage studio or clinic. Join discussions and find a way to bring up your specialty and what conditions it can treat. After all, people want solutions to their problems.

Step #8 Set a Relaxing Ambiance in Your Space for Massage Treatments

Whether you're running your massage business in a commercial clinic or from a rented space in your neighbourhood, you want it to look and feel as professional as possible to attract clients. See to it that it's neither stuffy nor crowded even during busy days. It must have enough room for you to move in while delivering a relaxing body massage , Indian head massage or other styles of therapeutic massages.

As it aims to relax and comfort, it must be free of clutter. It must also have ample lighting. If you must light some scented candles and incenses , keep them to a minimum because some people might not be big fans of these things. 

Step #9 Find a Good Supplier for Your Massage Equipment

Besides never having to worry about running out of essential oils, you can enjoy big discounts, especially if you purchase large quantities of each item. Think of your supplier as your partner in business who is capable of bringing your customers the best massage experience.

Professional massage therapists are highly in demand because they have the power to release people from their aches and pain and whisk them to a world where stress is unheard of. However, it's not just incredible massage techniques that can win people's hearts, but the overall package of a massage therapy business. 

Present yours in a professional but friendly and honest manner, whether on traditional or digital marketing platforms. This may sound like hard work, especially since your primary focus is on making others feel better with your massage skills. But if you have Natural Therapy Pages to connect your business with consumers around Australia, you'll find running your massage therapy business like a walk in the park.

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FAQs About Starting a Massage Therapy Business

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Moscow-City – The Moscow International Business Center

• 3 years ago

Moscow-City is an iconic location for life and work in Russia’s capital. Enormous skyscrapers, business centers, the best restaurants and retail spaces – all this is concentrated in one place. The ultramodern Moscow-City towers are truly striking in their outward appearance, and the layout of the apartments inside and the fantastic views that can be seen from the higher floors are nothing short of impressive.

This skyscraper compound, often referred to as Moskva-City, is the Russian take on Manhattan, where businessmen strike multi-million dollar deals daily while ordinary life goes on next door. Its state of the art spaces offer the ultimate convenience. The infrastructure of this business district is so well-developed that anyone can find something interesting for themselves here: from residential apartments to boutiques, clubs, exhibitions and more.

When the foundations for the Moscow-City skyscrapers were laid, a special kind of concrete was used, the properties of which are amplified by many times compared to standard concrete. Even in the event of a plane crashing into one of the buildings, the structural integrity of the towers will be preserved.

The architects of the Moscow-City Business Center have created a unique locality that has integrated into itself the hub of the capital’s business life and a whole ensemble of historical monuments. Anyone can admire the beauty of these skyscrapers from within or without the compound. There are also a number of apartments for sale or rent available in the MIBC itself. But first, let’s have a look at some more interesting facts about the financial core of Russia’s capital.

• 1 How It All Began
• 2.1 Moscow-City Central Core
• 2.2 Tower 2000
• 2.3 Evolution Tower
• 2.4 Imperia Tower
• 2.5 Moscow Tower and St. Petersburg Tower
• 2.6 Steel Peak Tower
• 2.7 Federation Tower
• 2.8 Mercury City Tower
• 2.9 OKO Tower Complex
• 3.1 Afimall City Shopping Center
• 3.2 Bagration Bridge
• 3.3 Expocentre Fairgrounds
• 4 Renting and Buying Real Estate in Moscow-City

How It All Began

The history of Moscow-City goes all the way back to 1992. The government of Moscow at the time wanted to bring into existence its own skyscrapers like the ones in London or New York. And the idea caught on. In 1992 the project for the construction of the huge “Moscow-City” MIBC compound was enthusiastically approved, kick-starting the painstaking preparatory works. The original intention was that the skyscrapers would only house office space. However, as time went on, the towers began to welcome in ordinary residents who wanted to live on the territory of this business and finance hub.

Moscow-City is undoubtedly a city within a city. Its grandeur is mind-boggling. It is perfect in every way: from location to infrastructure. And today, anyone can get a feel of the atmosphere of the “capital city” of Russia’s business world – many of the apartments in Moscow-City are available for rent. Any citizen of Russia and even nationals of other countries can make use of these offers.

What It’s Like in 2021

Today Moscow-City is not just a magnificent and fascinating sight, but also a real hub for the work, life and leisure of thousands. Its infrastructure is organized in such a way that there is no need to leave the territory of the “city within a city” at all. This business district contains everything one may need for work and recreation. And if one does decide to venture out into the larger metropolis, the MIBC’s three subway stations make this remarkably simple to do.

Moscow-City stands on the Presnenskaya Embankment . Each of the buildings in the district has a name, which simplifies its identification. Some of the buildings form complexes that are united under one name, such as the Neva Towers and the Naberezhnaya Tower complex of two skyscrapers and one high rise. There are a total of 16 towers in the MIBC, of which the most popular are:

• Moscow-City Central Core;
• Tower 2000;
• Evolution Tower;
• Imperia Tower;
• City of Capitals (Moscow Tower and St. Petersburg Tower);
• Steel Peak Tower;
• Federation Tower;
• Mercury City Tower;
• OKO Tower Complex.

Moscow-City Central Core

This is the most complex building within the MIBC compound. Its total floor area is a whopping 1 476 378 sqft (450 000 m²). It consists of two massive parts, each of which boasts a truly impressive infrastructure. The underground part includes 3 Moscow Metro stations, a parking lot for automobiles and a shopping mall. The aboveground part houses a concert hall and a hotel.

Tower 2000 is a skyscraper having 34 stories. Its total floor area is 200 318 sqft (61 057 m²), most of which is office space. The key feature of this skyscraper is its direct connection to the Bagration Bridge, which has its own shopping arcade. The tower has everything one may need while working here, including a large parking lot and several restaurants.

Evolution Tower

This elegant structure is 836 feet (255 m) high – that’s a whole 54 stories! The total floor area here is 554 462 sqft (169 000 m²). The Evolution Tower’s key feature is that it has its own Wedding Hall. This skyscraper houses large office spaces, a parking lot and several restaurants.

Imperia Tower

MIBC’s Imperia Tower is the undeniable focal point of the MIBC’s business life. Its height is 784 feet (239 m), which means one can hold conferences and resolve key business matters on the 59 th floor! And that really is amazing! The tower has everything: offices, hotels, restaurants and parking lots. But if you want a truly unforgettable experience, visit the viewing platform! It is situated on the 58 th floor and a simply astounding view of Moscow can be seen from it.

Moscow Tower and St. Petersburg Tower

The Moscow and St. Petersburg Towers are the chief representatives of the MIBC. The Moscow Tower has 76 stories and is 990 feet (302 m) high, while the St. Petersburg Tower has 65 stories and stands 843 feet (257 m) tall. Both towers offer fantastic views of the capital city.

Most of the floors of these two skyscrapers are taken up by luxurious sky apartments. There are also several recreational and entertainment centers, office spaces, restaurants, etc.

Steel Peak Tower

Also known as the Eurasia Tower of Moscow-City, this supertall skyscraper has a total of 680 912 sqft (207 542 m²) of floor space. Most of this is taken up by offices, and the rest – by residential quarters (around 65 616 sqft or 20 000 m²). The tower also houses a number of the greatest restaurants, studios and shopping centers.

Federation Tower

The Federation Tower is a complex of two skyscrapers, known as Tower East and Tower West. Tower East is the second highest building in Europe (the first is a skyscraper recently erected in the city of St. Petersburg). Its height is a colossal 1 223 feet (373 m) and that makes 95 stories! Tower West, on the other hand, is noticeably shorter at 794 feet (242 m).

The Federation Tower is a multifunctional complex.

Mercury City Tower

The Mercury City Tower skyscraper is widely known as one of the tallest buildings in Europe. Its height is 1 112 feet (339 m) and it has 75 stories. It is multifunctional by concept, holding within its walls shopping centers, offices and all kinds of other spaces. It is also possible to rent apartments here.

OKO Tower Complex

The OKO Tower Complex consists of two towers – the North Tower (49 stories and 803 ft or 245 m in height) and the South Tower (85 stories and 1 155 ft or 352 m in height).

Each of the MIBC’s tower complexes has its own recreational and entertainment areas, restaurants and parking lots. The top floors of most of these buildings contain luxurious fully-furnished apartments. At night, the towers shine with bright lights, while inside them the panoramic windows reveal astounding views of Moscow. This breathtaking view of the capital of Russia is why visiting Moscow-City is a must!

What Not to Miss

There are many interesting landmarks within the Moscow-City compound, but three of them are truly deserving of special attention:

• The Afimall City Shopping Center;
• The Bagration Bridge with two galleries and a shopping arcade;
• The Expocentre Fairgrounds.

Afimall City Shopping Center

The Afimall City Shopping and Entertainment Center is located in Moscow-City’s Central Core. It is divided into 4 zones, each with its own theme – one for every season of the year. The shopping center houses the biggest indoor fountain found worldwide. The height of this watery wonder is 118 feet or 36 meters.

The shopping and entertainment center contains everything one might expect from one of the largest centers of its kind:

• Retail brand stores;
• Exhibitions;
• Game rooms;
• and Restaurants.

The main recreational space is roofed with a giant transparent dome, which is an impressive sight to behold.

Bagration Bridge

Bagration Bridge with its upper and lower galleries has a shopping center all of its own and was the first structure to be built as part of the Moscow-City business district. Its lower gallery is a shopping arcade and its upper gallery is an open-air viewing platform with a spectacular view of the MIBC and the Moskva River. The hall of the bridge houses the 23 foot tall sculpture called “Tree of Life”. Having gone through the bridge via either one of its two galleries, a pedestrian would find themselves standing right on the Kutuzovsky Prospekt.

Expocentre Fairgrounds

The Expocentre Fairgrounds exhibition venue is located at the very heart of the capital. The first exhibition held at the Expocentre happened all the way back in 1959, much earlier than the MIBC was erected. Today it is the venue of many interesting events.

Exhibitions with very diverse themes are regularly held at this complex. An up-to-date schedule can be found on the official webpage of the Expocentre. The events can be free or fixed-price entry, depending on their type.

Renting and Buying Real Estate in Moscow-City

Moscow-City is not only a work and business hub, but also a residential neighborhood. Any citizen of Russia can rent or buy apartments or elite sky lounges here. The variety of residential real estate available inside the skyscrapers is impressive, including options for any pocket. The following buildings in the MIBC contain residential blocks:

This skyscraper has a mirror glass façade which reflects the passing clouds. Just imagine how beautiful that looks! Anyone can buy an apartment in the Federation Tower. Such properties are not only a good investment, but also a mark of prestige. The average price of residential real estate here is 45 million rubles for an apartment with a total floor area of 334 sqft (102 m²). The average price of a square meter (3.28 square feet) is in the range of 650 to 700 thousand rubles. There are two- and three-room apartments available in the Federation Tower, each with its own loggia. As for rent, the minimum price of one month’s stay in a three-room apartment in this skyscraper is 300 000 rubles per month.

The Mercury City Tower skyscraper welcomes citizens from all parts of Russia. This building is no less tall than the world-famous Dubai skyscrapers. Living in its apartments is a delight. The minimum cost of an apartment in the Mercury City Tower is 75 million rubles. The average price of a square meter (3.28 square feet) is 800 thousand rubles. And for those looking for a lower price point, some of the properties are also available for rent – in this case you will pay a minimum of 250 thousand rubles per month.

The Imperia Tower is a key cluster of interesting offers. The best options for buying and renting apartments within the MIBC can all be found in this skyscraper. The lowest price of a residential apartment here is 40 million rubles. A square meter (3.28 square feet) in a luxurious apartment in the Imperia Tower currently costs 600 thousand rubles, while the price range of the listings available for rent in this skyscraper is from 350 thousand all the way up to 1 million rubles per month.

This complex, standing on a faceted or “crystal” base, is an architectural engineering project boasting spectacular design. Behind its impressive façades is an abundance of penthouses and apartments having floor areas in the range of 262 sqft (80 m²) to 984 sqft (300 m²). The minimum price of an apartment in the OKO Tower Complex is 40 million rubles (the price of a square meter (3.28 square feet) is 500 thousand rubles). You can rent an apartment here starting from 400 thousand rubles per month.

City of Capitals

The City of Capitals is an exemplary architectural complex. Its sum appearance gives the impression of a huge city. Inside its walls are spacious apartments available for purchase and rent. This complex is considered to be especially prestigious. The prices of apartments here start from 50 million rubles, while the minimum cost of renting is 400 thousand rubles per month.

Please note! The price of real estate available for purchase or rent depends on: the tower, the floor, the total floor area, the furnishings and/or interior design, and other factors.

The key advantages of buying/purchasing real estate in Moscow-City are:

• Favorable location;
• Convenient transportation links;
• Well-developed infrastructure;
• High safety level;
• Efficient architecture;
• Panoramic windows.

Buying real estate in Moscow-City is very much a rational decision, most appealing to those who value the ultimate level of comfort. The residential apartments here boast impressive interior design solutions executed in the contemporary style.

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Our Rating of the Best Districts of Moscow for Living In

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You Russians have a very Beautiful Rich Culture, I remember a time where the Russian Citizens Broke out in Song Singing the Hymn of Red October and there wasn’t a dry Eye in my House that day. You Spartans Are a Wonderful People to live with.

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The Best Spa Salons in Moscow

Contributor / Journalist

The city of Moscow is full of traditional Russian banyas , Thai spas and international saunas. Find the best way to treat yourself at these options. After all, everyone deserves quality time and a bit of a relaxation after an intensive day of exploring the city.

1. barvikha hotel spa.

The Barvikha Hotel & Spa offers its visitors a luxury experience in this posh space, located a 30 minute drive from the centre of Moscow. This spa is one of the most expensive, but it offers a range of treatments. Here you can get an ancient Chinese or European treatments, take a hydromassage bath, or treat yourself at the health bar located on the ground floor. The interior was designed by famous Italian maestro Antonio Citerrio. Barvikha Luxury Village, Odintsivsy District, Moscow, Russia. https://www.instagram.com/p/BfJFjXShein/?taken-by=barvikha_hotel

2. Purovel Spa & Sport at Swissotel Krasnye Holmy

Building, Gym, Spa

Purovel Spa & Sport wellness centre is located in the heart of Moscow, at luxury Swissotel Krasnye Holmy . The goal is to satisfy visitors’ needs through cosmetic and healthy goods based on organic and eco resources. It offers various fitness programs, massages, therapies, oil treatments, pedicures, manicures, peeling and collagen revitalisation. Among the signature branded treatments are the Purovel Turkish stone massage and meadow massage. At the gym hall you can exercise daily between 6am and 11pm.

Kosmodamianskaya Nab. 52, Building 6, Moscow, Russia.

Sandunovskie bani (meaning sauna) is the oldest and most beautiful of Moscow’s bath houses. It’s been popular among locals and visitors for decades, and is a special recreational institution, not just a sauna. Only here are visitors able to get a special old Russian bath treatments. It is exceptionally designed with marble floors, columns and beautiful benches. Traditional Russian treatments include herbal massage, hot and cold baths and a sauna visit. The beauty centre offers high-class pedicures and manicures plus massage and tanning. Private bathrooms are available upon request in advance. Neglinnaya Street 21, Moscow, Russia. https://www.instagram.com/p/BaqrtebBXor/?taken-by=sanduny

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ESPA at Ritz-Carlton Moscow

The Ritz-Carlton is located on Tverskaya Street, the central and the longest street of Moscow, and offers visitors a unique spa experience. Asian, European, Eastern and Indian treatments and massages are available, along with oil therapy and oriental aromatherapy. The gym provides modern and verified equipment. The 30-minute head massage is recommended. Tverskaya Street 3, Moscow, Russia.

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• Office Buildings

Zemelny Office Building in Moscow by UNK architects

UNK architects : The most northern building with a green facade in the world.   The  Zemelny  business center is located close to the Moscow subway station named  Ulitsa 1905 Goda . The building is surrounded by XX-century industrial architecture, three kilometers away from the Moscow City business district.  Zemelny   has become a ‘green’ alternative to it.

The tower with a total area of 39000 m2 stands on a three-floor stylobate. Its facade is wrapped in a fishnet-like diagonal metal shell. As a precedent for the elevation, the UNK team used hyperboloid structures designed by Russian engineer Vladimir Shukhov, the author of the Shukhov Radio Tower in Moscow .

The new office building will become an ideal place for those who value the functionality of the workspace and its harmony with the surrounding nature. 

UNK architects wanted the building to remind of a private house that is though located within the city boundaries. Its architecture features a lot of glass framed by the delicate snow-white metal outline. There is Virginia creeper (flowering vine in the grape family) planted on the balconies. Every season it will transform the tower's visual comprehension: paint the facade with bright green in summer, add a red splash to it in autumn and fully expose it in winter after the leaf fall. The external metal lace shell has an uneven rhythm thus imposing the effect of an ‘artificial perspective’. It visually thinns the building and makes it more elegant. 

The main volume of the building has the shape of an isosceles triangle. Elevator lobbies and egress stairs are located in its central part. Every floor is divided into six independent spatial blocks. The site is fenced and has an individual recreation area. The underground level accommodates a parking lot with 370 spaces and is equipped with charging units for electric cars.

The triangle plan helps to achieve a very high building area efficiency factor. The major challenge during the construction was to erect a building that occupies most of the site. To solve it our team used the top-down construction method, where underground levels grow down from the street level. 

Zemelny is located on a three-story stylobate that accommodates infrastructure, event halls, a café, and multiple shops – all those can be used both by the offices’ tenants and residents. Through the use of vertical planting, the building provides another green area to the citizens. Zemelny's infrastructure is public and available to everyone which turns it into a new point of attraction of the district.

In the evening   Zemelny  is decorated with light that is being poured along hyperploid structures featuring the lacy external envelope. 

Over time the Virginia creeper vines that are planted in tubs behind the transparent facade structures will make their way around the building's envelope and become an additional source of oxygen for the city. The unique architecture of the building stimulates new development for this industrial area and provides additional objects of urban infrastructure for the residents.

By Naser Nader Ibrahim

• Office Building
• Commercial Architecture
• Zemelny Office Building
• Zemel'nyi Business-Center
• UNK architects
• Dmitry Chebanenko
• Yuliy Borisov
• UNK Architects
• Zemelny Business Cente

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