Day Spa Startup Insights: If Only I Knew Then What I've Learned Since!

By Douglas Preston

Considering the start-up of your very own day spa? A parade of beautiful, customer-filled spas and retreats has finally tempted you to bet with the players in this glamorous business. Let's assume that you've done your homework well. Feasibility study by an industry expert? Done. Stealth visits to your local competitors? Done. Trade show research on equipment, marketing, products, service menu, feng shui, and scented candles? Done. Bank loan? Done. Location and lease? Pending. You've planned, and planned and planned, and waited long enough. What more is there to do? Just one thing: read this article!

I've assembled some testimonials from experienced spa owners that were willing to share hindsight lessons gained from the months and years since starting their businesses. All believed that they had conducted adequate investigation into the realities of costs, management, and future trends prior to opening their spas. And while it's normal and expected that any good business plan will require adjustments as you go along, here's an opportunity to learn what other spa owners wished they'd known earlier than they did. So get out that completed business plan and double check it against the pearls of wisdom that others suffered to offer you!

Please login or register to see the full article