Over the centuries of human existence, standards of female beauty have changed countless times. The desire of the fair sex to look attractive, alluring, and well-groomed remains unchanged. Therefore, even in a crisis, the idea of opening a SPA salon may turn out to be exactly the startup that will bring you good profits. After all, in addition to the services of a cosmetologist, stylist or hairdresser, any woman will receive here what she often lacks in everyday life - relaxation, care and a break from everyday problems.
Before you start
It is necessary to clearly understand how a SPA salon differs from a hairdresser. Many people mistakenly put these types of beauty industry establishments on the same level. The differences primarily relate to scale - the range of hair salons is much narrower and usually offers the services of a hairdresser, manicurist and makeup artist, and in rare cases, the services of a cosmetologist. The price list of a SPA salon is more detailed; it includes not only procedures related to appearance, but also wellness services - wraps, peelings, aromatherapy, hardware cosmetology, etc. There are also frequent cases when a SPA salon is adjacent to fitness club - this allows you to double the potential demand for the services of both establishments.
In addition to the breadth of assortment, a SPA salon differs from a hair salon in its design and atmosphere. While you can quickly pop into a regular neighborhood hairdresser for a haircut, visiting a salon puts you in a more serious mood. Many visitors come here not only to get their loved ones in order, but also to relax their souls. Therefore, you should immediately abandon the small room and mismatched furniture. Everything in the salon should create the atmosphere of an island of beauty in a hectic world - from the spacious room and interior, designed in a certain style, to the last detail. Even the musical accompaniment is important (best of all - quiet and unobtrusive relaxation) and the smells hovering in the establishment.
Main risks
The state of the consumer market today is characterized by the phrase “supply exceeds demand.” One of the main risks when opening a SPA salon is the possibility of trying to occupy an already occupied niche, in other words, to create a salon, analogues of which are already presented in a given price segment and in a given location. To avoid this mistake, you need, firstly, to carefully study the offers of competitors, and, secondly, to create a salon concept that involves something unique. This can be either the general design of the establishment or services that are not available in other nearby SPA.
Another risk is the risk that the money you invest in your salon business will not pay off. This risk is especially high now, when purchasing power is falling due to the economic crisis, and not all clients are willing to leave as much money in the salon as they did in more prosperous times.
Location
When choosing a room to open a salon, you need to take into account SanPiN standards. Not 10-12 square meters should be allocated for one zone (service). The total recommended room area is 100-300 square meters. If you rent space for a salon, then the monthly expenses for this item will be about 60,000 rubles.
There are two main types of SPA salons - urban and suburban. The first, as is clear from the name, are located within the city and are opened on the basis of beauty salons. Such salons have a fairly high traffic volume and, as a rule, “spring up” faster. Country SPA is usually part of a recreation center or hotel. When writing a business plan for a country SPA, you need to be especially careful when choosing a location - the attractiveness of the establishment for clients will be much higher if the salon is located in a pleasant and picturesque place, as an option - in a recreational area or close to some natural attraction. You should also take into account the fact that country SPA should have much more spacious premises than city ones, since this direction assumes the presence of rooms where salon clients can relax after procedures.
A much more economical option are salons located on the urban periphery, in the so-called “dormitory areas”. Recently, this category of SPA salons has become increasingly popular. Residents of remote areas become regular clients of "economy" SPA due to the geographical accessibility of these salons and affordable prices.
conclusions
Opening a spa salon from scratch requires, first of all, competent market analysis. Key points:
- Market analysis. In some places, opening a spa salon does not make sense - it will not pay for itself. This is especially true in small towns, where people simply do not have the money for expensive spa treatments.
- Competent choice of premises in the right place;
- Recruitment of qualified personnel;
- Purchasing the necessary equipment - but without frills, especially if your budget is limited;
- Establishing relationships with suppliers of quality cosmetic products;
- A well-thought-out advertising campaign.
The quality of services must remain at a high level. Compliance with these rules will allow you to quickly bring your SPA salon to profitability.
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Equipment
The basic set of the SPA salon includes a bathhouse and sauna, a solarium and a hot tub, equipment for massage and cosmetology rooms. Don’t also forget about the wardrobe, administrative desk and equipment for the herbal bar. Specialized equipment must have appropriate certificates. The average investment in opening a SPA is approximately $2,000 per square meter. You shouldn’t skimp on the quality of equipment, otherwise the establishment may not be able to withstand the competition and customers will leave for a more respectable place.
However, you can save on purchasing ready-made items and instead fit them into your building plan. For example, building a steam bath ($7,000) will cost more than half as much as buying it ($15,000), and building a swimming pool will cost about $1,500 (versus $6,000 to purchase). You can also build a counter, a wardrobe, massage tables and some other elements yourself.
Production plan
Our project assumes the presence of a water zone, which will require additional waterproofing and tiling. All procedures (cosmetology, massage, image) require the design of the premises and the installation of special equipment, the cost of which is quite high, since it is not worth saving on it. Equipment and tools must also comply with state standards and meet safety, sanitation and aesthetic requirements.
| Project stage | Stage date | Funds for implementation |
| Cosmetic renovation of the premises | June 1 – July 1 | 800 thousand rubles |
| Preparation of documents (including licenses) | June 1 – August 1 | 30 thousand rubles |
| Purchase of equipment for the administrator area and waiting room: reception, sofa and coffee table, dressing room | July 1 – July 15 | 180 thousand rubles |
| Advertising campaign | July 1 – September 1 | 400 thousand rubles |
| Arrangement of a wet area: baths, barrel, jacuzzi, wrap | June 10 – July 20 | 1.5 million rubles |
| Arrangement of the dry area: tables and chairs for cosmetologists to work | July 20 – August 10 | 250 thousand rubles |
| Massage room equipment: massage table, screen, table, chair | July 20 – August 10 | 140 thousand rubles |
| Beauty salon: hairdressing tables, chairs, equipment, furniture for manicure and pedicure areas | August 1 – August 15 | 300 thousand rubles |
| Organization of mini-cafes and areas for children | July 1 – August 1 | 700 thousand rubles |
| Recruitment of 24 people | July 1 – August 1 | 30 thousand rubles |
| All stages of the project before launch | June 1 – August 10 | 4.33 million rubles |
Personnel
The average staff of a SPA salon is 10-15 people. In addition to qualified specialists (massage therapists, cosmetologists, hairdressers and manicurists, estheticians, stylists, physiotherapists, fitness instructors, etc.), this also includes administrative and technical personnel (administrator, cleaner). Monthly expenses for staff salaries will be about 190-200 thousand rubles.
Salon employees performing medical procedures must have appropriate education. The higher the qualifications of the staff, the higher the level of respectability of the salon.
Organizational plan
The staff of a spa salon is an important component of its successful operation. The better and more qualified the employees, the more satisfied customers there will be who will want to constantly use the company’s services themselves and recommend the salon to their friends. SPA therapy specialists must have special certification, some of them must have licenses to conduct medical activities.
| Employee | Quantity in state | Expenses |
| Administrator | 2 | 40 000 |
| Cosmetologist | 4 | 80 000 |
| Masseur | 4 | 80 000 |
| Hairdresser | 2 | 40 000 |
| Master of manicure and pedicure | 2 | 30 000 |
| Cafe staff | 6 | 100 000 |
| Bath attendant | 2 | 30 000 |
| Cleaning woman | 2 | 20 000 |
| Outsourced employees | 30 000 |
Total costs: 460 rubles per month.
Documents and licenses
Another difference between a SPA and a hairdressing salon is the registration procedure. Since the SPA salon provides medical services, it is impossible to register it as an individual entrepreneur. Thus, the only possible form of registration is registration of a legal entity (approximate cost – 1000 lei). Masters dealing with medical services must have licenses issued by the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare and Social Development of the Russian Federation (the cost of obtaining licenses ranges from 1000-5000 rubles).
Profitability
Experts note that the approximate profit brought by a SPA salon, even in an economic crisis, is 7% of total income. If the average daily flow of traffic to the salon is 20 people, and the average cost of the procedure is 850 rubles, then the gross monthly income will be 425 thousand rubles.
Practice shows that in this area a business fully pays for itself 2-3 years after its creation. Therefore, if you are going to take out a loan to open a SPA salon or attract third-party investors to your project, then this period must be taken into account.
Financial plan
Considering that a spa salon largely involves receiving a range of services and spending several hours in the establishment, most clients take a SPA package or a program for health improvement, weight loss and rejuvenation. However, there are clients who simply use the services of a beauty salon, cosmetologist or massage therapist. In addition, the spa salon being developed has a cafe, which also increases the average bill. The average bill is 2000 rubles, monthly attendance is 800 people.
Thus, monthly revenue will be 1.6 million rubles, annual revenue – 19.2 million rubles. Monthly profit - 200 thousand rubles, profit for the year - 2.4 million rubles. The break-even point for the first year is calculated using the formula: (revenue x fixed costs) / (revenue - variable costs). We get:
(19.2 million rubles x 1.4 million rubles) / (19.2 million rubles – 4.33 million rubles) = 12 million rubles.
Profitability = profit / revenue x 100% = 2.4 million rubles / 19.2 million rubles x 100% = 12.5% . The profitability level of a spa salon varies from 10 to 25%. Considering that the first year is the most difficult for an establishment, since it is necessary to attract the first clients and find regular ones, the figure of 12.5% will be normal for the project. You can then increase traffic, increasing revenue and profitability. Payback = starting investment / profit for the year = 4.33 million rubles / 2.4 million rubles = 1.8 years, 20-22 months.
Marketing
The main profit for the salon comes from regular customers, so the establishment’s marketing expenses must include a “loyalty program”. To form a stable contingent of visitors, gift club cards, bonus systems, promotions such as “when purchasing one procedure, a discount on the next” or “a second procedure as a gift” are suitable.
In addition, clients are pleased when they feel cared for not only during the actual visit to the salon procedure. Happy Birthday greetings or pleasant surprises dedicated to the holidays can come in handy here - for example, souvenirs with the establishment’s logo can simultaneously serve as a gift and an unobtrusive advertising medium.
To attract new customers, use street promotions with the distribution of colorful leaflets and discount coupons, advertising in transport, elevators and at various stands. A separate tool for promoting salon business is the Internet - placing advertisements on social networks and conducting online sweepstakes has great prospects in terms of increasing both potential and actual clientele.
