How to Start a Body Wrap Spa

Body wraps, also known as body masks, are spa treatments that offer a variety of health benefits. Customers are wrapped in minerals such as algae, mud, clay, or seaweed, and then a secondary bandage wrap. Depending upon the minerals absorbed, the body is hydrated, skin is toned, and muscles are soothed. Some treatments call for heat supplements, via pre-warmed wraps or heated blankets.

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Start a body wrap spa by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Body Wrap Spa
  2. Form your Body Wrap Spa into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Body Wrap Spa for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Body Wrap Spa
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Body Wrap Spa
  7. Get Body Wrap Spa Insurance
  8. Define your Body Wrap Spa Brand
  9. Create your Body Wrap Spa Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your body wrap spa. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Body Wrap Spa Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a body wrap spa?

There are a number of expenses you will incur while setting up your new business. When planning your budget, consider the following:

  • Minerals and herbs
  • Body wrap supplies, such as blankets, sheets, bandages, and heat blankets
  • Specialized chairs/massage tables—consider purchasing gently used or inexpensive furnishing to start, upgrading as the business starts to grow
  • Cleaning products
  • Brick and mortar—Invest in a location that is easily accessible with ample parking.
  • Furniture for reception and retail areas
  • Business permits and insurance
  • Website—this does not have to be a complicated site, but it should provide information regarding you and your staff’s background, services, and pricing sheet
  • Marketing strategy and materials

Experienced professionals indicate start-up costs could range anywhere from $150,000 to $225,000, depending upon the services you wish to offer and your location. For larger investments, such as day spas, your budget will be $350,000 to $625,000. Franchising opportunities are available, with standard fees of approximately $50,000.

What are the ongoing expenses for a body wrap spa?

Budget for the following ongoing expenses when considering a body wrap business start-up:

  • Marketing supplies
  • Lease, utilities, phone, and other administrative fees
  • Payroll, taxes, and employee benefits
  • Insurance
  • Replenishment of spa supplies
  • Maintenance and cleaning of equipment
  • Continuing education

Specific costs vary depending upon your location, number of employees, and number of services offered.

Who is the target market?

This industry attracts customers from every demographic. When building your business plan, consider what is important to you. Do you want to help clients reach weight goals? Do you want to help customers who are in pain and in need of detox? What other health benefits impassion you? Once you’ve determined this, you’ll be better equipped to identify your target market.

How does a body wrap spa make money?

A body wrap spa makes money from clients with appointments, as well as walk-in clients, all of whom pay for body wrapping services.

How much can you charge customers?

Most wrap sessions last sixty minutes and range anywhere from $80-$200+ per session. Packages average $225 for three sessions, $350 for five, and $500 for ten.

How much profit can a body wrap spa make?

Many small spas report seeing fifty to sixty clients each week. Each technician you employ stands to generate more than $30,000 per year. Offering the sale of retail products and expanding your services will significantly increase your organization’s annual profit.

How can you make your business more profitable?

To increase your company’s profits, consider implementing the following strategies:

  • Include a variety of other holistic cleansing and/or beauty salon services
  • Create your own body wrap blends
  • Sell additional products to enhance the experience
  • Turn your spa into an educational facility

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your body wrap spa is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your body wrap spa were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?

Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our How to Start a Business guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best Business Formation Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a body wrap business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Release of Liability

To avoid liability and potential lawsuits, body wrap businesses should have their clients sign a release of liability. Here is an example of one such form.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional release of liability form for your body wrap business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

Certificate of Occupancy

A body wrap business is generally run out of a spa in a storefront. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a location:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a body wrap business.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build a location:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your body wrap business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Body Wrap Spa needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Body Wrap Spa.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a body wrap spa

Experienced professionals have found success in implementing a well-rounded marketing strategy. Joining professional organizations, such as the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, will help you get listed with online spa directories. They also offer educational courses and networking events that stand to help boost your company’s overall profits.

Your marketing strategy should focus on current customers. Word of mouth is a wonderful marketing tool. Offer gift certificates and discounts for referrals, acknowledging loyal clients.

Draft brochures that target business professionals, wedding parties, and other wellness professionals. Create packages geared towards their needs. Host special events and offer drawings and giveaways. Donate a portion of the proceeds to a local charity. Such events are mutually beneficial and will attract both new and existing customers.

How to keep customers coming back

A social media presence is critical for staying connected with clients. Share news regarding upcoming specials and industry trends. Send out email blasts and personally email clients who haven’t been in for a while. This will remind them you’re here and that your business cares about them and their patronage.

Prove your loyalty to each customer by offering a membership. This should include special pricing and membership benefits. As part of your fee structure, offer package options—most spas offer a series of 3, 5, or 10 visits. This benefits both you and the customer. They feel as though they’ve gotten a deal and committed to the necessary number of sessions to truly realize results. It takes time to detox the body and lose weight. Be upfront with them about their sessions, which will help build a relationship based on trust and honesty. When they see the desired results, word of mouth will take over.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

Body wrap spas offer clients a holistic way to meet their health goals. Success in this profession is realized by those who are fulfilled from helping others on their journey to a more healthy lifestyle. They enjoy interacting with others, seeing this as an opportunity to learn and grow, both personally and professionally.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a body wrap spa?

While a relaxing environment, body wrap spas require a fairly regimented schedule. This ensures each client receives the full benefit from each session and that the environment is kept safe and clean.

The following items will require you and your staff’s attention on a regular basis:

  • Consulting with clients regarding their treatment goals
  • Scheduling appointments
  • Performing wrapping services
  • Educating customers regarding proper aftercare
  • Cleaning and maintaining all spa equipment
  • Replenishing inventory, placing orders as needed
  • Analyzing current marketing efforts, modifying strategy when necessary
  • Educating staff, managing their human resources needs, and managing their schedules
  • Billing, accounting, and administrative duties

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful body wrap spa?

Every body wrap business owner indicates the most important component to their success is education and experience. Whether you plan to stick to administrative work only or wish to be a practicing technician, it is critical that you and your staff be professionally educated. A reputable school will instruct you regarding techniques, products, industry standards, safety, and basic business practices. A well-rounded and knowledgeable business owner is set up for long-term success and has the potential to mentor those seeking to enter the industry.

Once you have received the proper education, certification, and licenses, hands-on training would prove invaluable. In the right setting, you’ll gain a greater understanding of your work’s healing benefits. This firsthand experience should also offer insight into your target demographic, successful marketing practices, operational procedures, and pricing.

Entrepreneurs must be business savvy and possess a leadership skill set that includes: communication, both written and verbal, attention to detail, and should be able to work efficiently and timely.

What is the growth potential for a body wrap spa?

As part of the cosmetology industry, body wrapping businesses offer stability, financial security, and great growth potential. Business owners have an opportunity to expand their business to include a multitude of different services, in a variety of settings. Demand for these services extends across the globe, offering entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to keep their businesses small or expand internationally, based on their vision.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a body wrap spa?

Consider the following industry advice for starting and managing the business:

  • There are three things that will help define your success—the quality of customer service delivered, proper marketing, and setting business goals.
  • Keep in mind that, regardless of their personal health goals, your clients are there to relax. Pamper them and offer hours that accommodate their needs.
  • Take pride in your business venture by keeping up with the latest industry trends and offering a level of service above your competitors.
  • Ask for customer feedback and take action.

How and when to build a team

When you are ready to starting building a staff, make sure each team member is professional, both in appearance and attitude. Each employee should be properly licensed and passionate about their work. A great place to find dedicated workers is at your local cosmetology schools. Those still attending school could perform administrative duties, learning the procedures of your company. Those just out of school will be looking for work and offer a fresh outlook on your growing business.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading