10 Massage Therapist Success Stories & Case Studies [2024]
Massage is a growing industry, and as such, many business options exist for those who want to enter this field. The most typical form of massage therapist business is an independent operation. This can be either out of one's home or a massage studio rented on an hourly basis.
Building a successful massage therapy business is not as difficult as you might think. Massage therapists offer much-needed services to communities and clientele. If you are looking for a new career or want to increase your income while delivering an important service, then starting a new massage therapist business can be an excellent choice.
Turn your massage therapy practice into a successful business by applying core business skills that lead to success.
In this list, you'll find real-world massage therapist success stories and very profitable examples of starting a massage therapist that makes money.
1. Glosshouz ($3.3M/year)
Founder Loni, a former electrical engineer, decided to start Glosshouz after feeling a lack of purpose in her corporate career. She wanted to create a business primarily for women that offered a wide range of aesthetic and wellness services. Since its founding in 2016, Glosshouz has grown to have over 1000 monthly members and generated $3.3 million in revenue in 2022. Loni is now planning to franchise the Glosshouz brand and share her success with other entrepreneurs.
How much money it makes: $3.3M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.13M
How many people on the team: 35
Glosshouz is a full-service day spa that offers aesthetic and wellness services and has grown to over 1000 monthly members, earning $3,311,338 in revenue in 2022, and will soon be offering franchises.
2. ZZ DAY SPA INC ($3M/year)
Gary Oberoi, founder of ZZ Day Spa, was inspired to create the most customer-centric spa after watching YouTube videos of Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Warren Buffet. With a goal to provide an "unforgettable experience," ZZ Day Spa has become the top-rated spa in New York City with over 1000 five-star reviews and has seen significant growth, going from $30,000 to $240,000 in monthly revenues within three years. Despite facing challenges, including a shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, ZZ Day Spa overcame adversity with the help of its dedicated staff and a commitment to putting the customer first.
How much money it makes: $3M/year
How much did it cost to start: $35K
How many people on the team: 40
ZZ Day Spa, founded by Gary Oberoi, went from $30,000 to $240,000 in monthly revenue within three years in New York as they aim to become the most customer-centric day spa in the world through hiring the right people and providing an unforgettable experience while mastering digital marketing to attract clients.
3. Pulseroll ($2.88M/year)
Founder Paul McCabe came up with the idea for Pulseroll after attending an innovation event in China and seeing a prototype for a vibrating foam roller. Recognizing the benefits of percussion therapy and the market opportunity, he launched the UK's first-ever vibrating foam roller and has since grown Pulseroll into a multi-million pound business with products stocked in over 20 countries.
How much money it makes: $2.88M/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
How many people on the team: 0
Pulseroll is a multi-million pound business that offers scientifically proven muscle recovery technology and has experienced year-on-year growth of 174%, making it a top competitor in the wellness tech industry.
4. Meridian Spa ($360K/year)
Alma Curry founded Meridian Spa in 2017 after noticing a gap in the market for combining fitness and wellness. With her first venture, Meridian Fitness, already successful, she took a £120K gamble that now earns £30K/month.
How much money it makes: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $600
How many people on the team: 9
Case study of Alma Curry's successful business, Meridian Spa, generating impressive annual revenue of £350K with a profit of £198-200K, reaching 2.82M total impressions in the last 12 months through effective marketing strategies like PPC, FB Meta ads, and SEO.
5. Natural Forces Massage ($360K/year)
Timothy Turnbow, the founder of Natural Forces Massage, came up with the idea for his business after realizing his talent for relieving clients' pain through massage therapy. Inspired by the desire to have his own clinic and help others, he opened his doors in 2018 and has since garnered over 400 5-star reviews on Google Maps. With an average monthly sales of around $30,000, the business is thriving as they celebrate their 4-year anniversary.
How much money it makes: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $40K
How many people on the team: 0
Natural Forces Massage in Texas has seen sales grow year-over-year with an average of $30,000/month in sales, already has over 400 5-star reviews on Google, and boasts an employee count of 11 massage therapists and 5 receptionists.
6. Kala Mobile Meditation Studio ($156K/year)
Mother-daughter co-founders Athena and Maria started Kala Mobile Meditation after realizing the need for accessible mindfulness and stress management solutions. Athena, a massage therapist and life coach, understood the benefits of sound therapy and meditation for stress relief, while Maria, a mental health counselor, wanted to provide accessible mental health resources. They customized a 35 ft vehicle with meditation pods and created an innovative menu of audio meditations, generating approximately $13,000 in monthly revenue since their August 2019 launch.
How much money it makes: $156K/year
How much did it cost to start: $60K
How many people on the team: 0
Baltimore-based mother-daughter duo, Athena and Maria, co-founded Kala Mobile Meditation, a mobile meditation studio that generates approximately $13,000 a month by providing sound therapy and audio meditations through their 35 ft vehicle equipped with 8 meditation pods, a convenient and restorative space to calm the mind, reconnect with the self, and improve work productivity.
7. Space To Be You ($144K/year)
Space To Be You, a mental health and holistic therapy center in London, was started by Izabela and Bryan Hunter after discovering a newly renovated premises with 10 rooms that could be used for therapy sessions. Recognizing the demand for mental health and wellbeing services amid the Covid-19 pandemic, they took advantage of government-backed startup loan schemes and their own savings to launch the business. They now have 25 therapists on board and are growing at a rate of 30% month-on-month, with the potential to double their monthly revenue of $8,000 within the next 12-18 months.
How much money it makes: $144K/year
How much did it cost to start: $35K
How many people on the team: 0
Space To Be You is a mental health and holistic therapy center that has grown at 30% month-on-month and currently generates $8000 in monthly revenue with 25 counselors and massage therapists providing services, and discusses securing funding and the challenges of starting up a therapy business during the pandemic.
8. Snuggle with Sam ($136K/year)
Sam Varnerin came up with the idea for Snuggle with Sam after stumbling upon the concept of professional cuddling in a newsletter. Despite initially thinking it wasn't a real job, Sam saw the potential and signed up with an agency. However, after encountering various issues, Sam decided to create their own systems and eventually started their own independent professional cuddling practice.
How much money it makes: $136K/year
How many people on the team: 0
Professional cuddler, Sam Varnerin, developed her successful one-to-one cuddle service, Snuggle with Sam, as a result of recognising the universal human need for connection and touch, which also led to her opening Sam’s Snuggle School, a course for aspiring professional cuddlers.
9. Acupuncture Wellness Center ($72K/year)
Moira McCarthy, a licensed acupuncturist, started her business, Acupuncture Wellness Center, LLC, in 1997 after leaving her career as an environmental geologist. She purchased an existing acupuncture practice and focused on marketing herself through public appearances, health fairs, and networking groups. Today, she utilizes social media, email campaigns, and referrals to attract and retain customers, while delegating tasks to a team of professionals.
How much money it makes: $72K/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
How many people on the team: 0
Licensed acupuncturist, Moira McCarthy, shares her journey of leaving her career as an environmental geologist to start her own practice, which averages 65 to 70 clients per month at $90 per session, by attending health fairs and making public appearances to promote her practice.
10. Jenni Jo - Tension Tamer®️ ($60K/year)
Jenni Jo, a licensed massage therapist with years of experience in the touring and entertainment industry, had the idea to create a mobile body care spa in the form of a renovated Airstream trailer. Inspired by her work with artists like Faith Hill and Amos Lee, she wanted to provide on-site therapeutic healing without the hassle of hauling equipment. Since launching her Peace Pod business, Jenni Jo has received press coverage and support, and is currently working towards profitability and future expansion opportunities.
How much money it makes: $60K/year
How much did it cost to start: $40K
How many people on the team: 0
Jenni Jo, a licensed massage therapist, shares her story of creating a mobile body care spa in a custom Airstream to cater to the niche market of touring entertainers, with features such as massage tables, lounging spaces, custom cabinetry, lighting, music, and aromatherapy, inspiring other entrepreneurs to keep taking steps towards their dreams.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
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