Mobile spas are especially appealing to working women as they can relax after a stressful week of work. They are also a flexible way to bond with girlfriends. At a day spa it is virtually impossible to be scheduled all at the same time, but a mobile spa allows this flexibility for group packages.
Mobile spas are actively sought by people who work from home. The Internet has revolutionized the way we earn a living. More and more people are staying at home and earning a comfortable living. After a 12-hour workday, a person who has been sitting at the computer in a sedentary position is likely to feel enthusiastic about receiving a back massage. They are too tired to drive a half hour to get to a stationary spa. This is where the mobile spa becomes useful.
Times have changed. Spas have transcended from the exclusive to the inclusive. They are no longer confined to the rich and the aristocracy. From the construction worker who spends the day pouring cement, to the billionaire’s wife seeking a manicure alike can seek spa treatments. Spas cater to the average person as well as those with excessive wealth, thus expanding its marketing potential without any limits. The spa experience has become more affordable and inclusive. You may be better off targeting the average person who works a 10-hour work shift and would like a massage treatment once he returns home from a hard day’s work, as there is a larger population group belonging to this category than the “billionaire” category.
In compliance with various state health regulations, not all services are available in every location. For example, in some states it is illegal to perform manicures/pedicures, and certain facials outside of a stationary salon/spa. So, check with your state licensing board to find out the legalities involved in mobile spa operations.
If you are an aesthetician, massage therapist, or would-be entrepreneur, looking for an opportunity to hop aboard the spa industry, a great place to begin is by starting a mobile spa business. It is still in an infant stage and offers immense potential for growth.

How do Customers Benefit from Mobile Spas?

Ø No traffic jams or parking issues for the customer.

Ø In just 30 minutes or less, you can transform your home, hotel room, office, studio, rooftop, poolside cabana, whatever space you choose, into a luxurious day spa.

Ø Your spa packages include a relaxing and private spa day for one, couple's retreats, weddings, spa parties, corporate incentives, full-scale spa events, and more.

Ø No worries or stress of getting to the appointment on time.

Ø A great way to have fun and relax with the people you like to spend time with.

Target Population Groups for Mobile Spas

Ø Clients who do not have the time to go to a spa and are working from home.

Ø Computer and online experts who spend 15 hours a day, staring at a screen, in the same sedentary position.

Ø Clients who prefer their personal surroundings and do not feel comfortable in an outside environment for personalized treatments.

Ø Clients who are not physically able to get themselves out of the house due to temporary/permanent illnesses.

Ø Office crowds wanting a break during a high-stress period.

Ø Hotel guests seeking a relaxing treatment while on transit.

Ø Elderly people who cannot leave their homes.

Ø Residents of nursing homes, hospice centers, and assisted living facilities.

Ø New mothers who are caring for their infants and are unable to leave their homes.

Target Events For Your Mobile Spa Business

Ø Corporate parties

Ø Corporate Chair Massages

Ø Special events

Ø Hotel events

Ø Girls' night in

Ø Men’s night in

Mobile Spas for the Aging and Dying
People are living longer than ever before. Nursing homes, Hospice centers, and assisted living facilities are constantly seeking massage therapists, music therapists, and aqua therapists to soothe their residents. These venues offer unlimited potential for mobile spas to operate. Make the golden years of a person’s life relaxing and calming; in some cases the mobile spa may be the last experience one has in this lifetime, before passing away.
There is an increase of geriatric treatments now entering the spa scene to cater to the aging population. People in their 80s, 90s, and over a century old, now experience spa treatments. Hospice centers ease the pain of the dying in their last hours, days, months, and sometimes years by pampering their clients with spa treatments.

Traveling Salesman
Mobile spas offer you the opportunity to earn a living through divers means. Not only can you earn an income by providing massage therapy, beauty, and healing services, but you can also start your own mobile retail shop. Become a traveling salesman by opening a mobile retail shop. All you need is a box or briefcase to store your items and you are all set. Carry a retail shop with skin care products and accessories such as herbal neck wraps, spa slippers, and ointments for your clients.
The items you can sell in your mobile retail shop includes skin care and make-up, towels, bathrobes, slippers, aromatherapy essential oils, and herbal tea bags. Spa ambience items like candles, spa music CDs, and sculpture items can also be promoted during your visits. The key is to cultivate referrals who will actively promote your business. Become aggressive and go from door-to-door, pitching your items to clients.

Mobile Spa Etiquette
Always deliver a copy of your mobile spa etiquette rules before the treatment begins at a site. Here is an outline you can use:

Reservation Policy
Reservations need to be made at least 24 hours in advance. Reservations can be made by phone or through the online Contact Form. There is a $75 minimum for services. A destination fee applies as well.

Cancellation Policy
For individual services we require at least four hours notice when canceling an appointment. There is a 20 percent charge for cancellations made less than four hours in advance. Cancellations for spa parties and spa packages must be made 24 hours in advance in order to avoid 20 percent cancellation charge. Changes to any packages must also be made 24 hours prior.

Gratuities
If you are pleased with the services you have received, it is customary to give a 15 to 20 percent gratuity to your spa technician.

Age Requirement
Clients must be at least 16 years of age.

Punctuality
Our spa professionals will arrive 15 to 20 minutes prior to your appointment to set up. We carry it all - from tables to candles to speaker systems.

Health Regulations
We do not treat you if you have the following: Broken skin or lesions, intoxication, misconduct, such as suggestive comments or solicitation, medical conditions prohibiting treatment, if not reported earlier during the house consultation.

Spa Parties
Parties can be customized according to your customer’s theme and interest. Spa parties add mini-spa treatments in the location of your guest’s choice, indoors or out. Allow your clients to indulge as your team of licensed spa professionals turn their home, office, patio, or hotel into a soothing oasis and bring pampering spa treatments to them.
A spa party needs to have supervision by an on-site spa director, especially for group packages. You need to have a dedicated spa director and on-site facilitator who consult, develop, attend, and manage every aspect of your event, along with a complete staff of certified/licensed and insured technicians to provide your services.

Here are some reasons why clients love spa parties:

Ø People do not have the time to go to the spa.

Ø When they do have time, the spa has already been booked by other clients and they are unable to get an appointment when they want.

Ø The drive back home from the spa to their home base removes the relaxed feeling that they got after the spa treatment. It is like “money for nothing.”

Ø It is hard to coordinate a group packaging of several friends and organize a spa party at a particular business.

Spa Parties can be thrown for the following events and more:

Ø Bachelorette parties

Ø Bridal showers

Ø Anniversary spa parties

Ø Baby shower spa parties

Ø Birthday spa parties

Ø Graduation spa parties

Ø Pre-prom pampering

Ø Wellness parties

Ø Corporate events

Ø Employee appreciation day parties:

Ø Office party planning

Ø Promotion spa parties

Ø Fundraising events

Here are some ideas to make your spa party special:

Ø Offer food and wine tasting

Ø Offer aromatherapy at no extra charge

Ø Gift certificates

Ø Offer Yoga sessions

Ø Introduce the right decor, ambience, and spa attire

Ø Create invitation cards

Ø Order catering services

Ø Serve cocktails

Ø Make exciting gift bags

Ø Have party games

Ø Hire DJs and music

Ø Offer skin care and massage seminars

Ø Organize classes on how to roll sushi

Ø Have a tarot card and palm reader present

Ø Organize Karioke events

Ø Hands-on demonstrations on how to make natural spa treatments at home and self massage techniques

Ø Light up the space with fragrant candles

Ø Have your staff wear interesting costumes for special occasions

Ø Use color therapy such as soft lighting, colorful balloons, and tye-dye tapestries

Here are some necessities that you should provide for spa parties:

Ø Sheets for massage table

Ø Skin care products for facials

Ø Towel warmer

Ø Body mud

Ø Manicurists bring all - nail polish and foot tubs for pedicures

Ø Massage table

Ø Massage lotion/oil

Ø Portable CD player with CDs

Ø Aromatherapy oils and candles

Ten Reasons to Start a Mobile Spa

1. Unlimited income. The harder you work and promote your business, the more you make, rather than punching a clock for 40 hours a week.

2. Low start-up costs. No ongoing costs that would relate to operating a storefront operation. Such as rent, utilities, maintenance, higher insurance, and business taxes.

3. Creativity. You can use your imagination to create interesting and effective ideas for your business, such as including aromatherapy candles, incense, flower petals, and soft music during your treatments.

4. Variety. You are released from the boredom of a predictable, day-to-day job. No two days will ever be the same. You are out in the community, not stuck working in a spa or salon. As a spa owner you experience different scenery everyday.

5. Freedom and flexibility. You will have the freedom to schedule appointments around family and other commitments.

6. Booming industry. The mobile spa business is still in its infant stage. Its potential to explode is yet unexplored. This is your chance to capitalize on this opportunity.

7. Ability to experiment. Mobile spas offer limited risk as you can tread the waters before complete immersion. Don’t quit your day job just yet. Keep your present job while you build a clientele or start working full-time with your business. At the start you can offer mobile spa treatments in the evenings, after you have worked at your day job.

8. Tax advantages. You can claim legitimate business expenses relating to your vehicle, supplies and "home office".

9. Career satisfaction. You are building your very own business based on your own skills and initiative.

10. Independence. You are truly on your own and not subject to the demands of an employer.

Preethi Burkholder is the author of the book, "Start your own Spa," and a magazine writer. She works closely with spas and travels to Sri Lanka every year to study the island's rich heritage of Ayurveda medicine. Visit her website at www.giftedhandswriting.com Preethi can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..