What you will need to start your own massage therapy business.
Recently I have received a lot of inquires about what massage supplies are needed to start a massage business. I will break them down into categories in this article. I will also expand it to include everything I can think of that you will need to start your business. I hope other massage therapists will help add to the list of supplies a new massage therapist will need for their office. This list is quite extensive and depending on how you decide to go into business some of this may not apply to you. For example, if you are renting a room in an already established massage business you will not need the reception furniture, bathroom supplies and cleaning supplies. The list is to help a new massage therapist think of anything they will need to start their massage therapy business.
For any business you will need to acquire the appropriate business licenses. We have our state business license as well as a city license. We are also required to have a massage license through the state department of health.
You may also want to consider business insurance and malpractice insurance. Your business insurance should cover all your assets in case of theft or fire. It should also cover if a client trips and falls in your office. Malpractice insurance will cover you if you ever hurt a client.
A security system can be installed for a small monthly fee to protect form robbery and vandalism. Panic alarms can be added to the system. They will alert the police if the button is pushed.
For your massage room:
Massage table
Stool
Chair for your client
Dimmer light
Room heater
Music system
Hooks for coats and clothing
Small desk or shelves
8oz bottle with pump
Holster
Bolster
Blanket
Muscular system chart/art/posters/degrees for your walls
Garbage can
Hand sanitizer
Table warmer
Sheets 2 week supply
Face cradle covers or pillow cases
For reception you may need the following supplies:
Desk
Computer
Printer/fax/copier
Printer ink
Paper
Clip boards
Pens
Stapler
Staples
2 hole punch
3 hole punch
Address stamp
Calculator
Pencil
Schedule book
File cabinets
File folders with clasps
Hanging files
Waiting room chairs
Chair for the desk
Coat hangers
Phone
Phone wire
Answering machine or Voice mail
Credit machine
2 garbage cans one for under the desk and one for the clients
Gift certificates
3 ring binders
Health intake forms
Soap forms
Business cards
Receipt books
Brochures/ handouts
Refrigerator
Bottled water
Kleenex
Drawer organizer
Inter office mail slots
Pen cup
Bathroom
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Soap
Garbage can
Toilet brush
Cleaning supplies
Garbage bags
Vacuum
Carpet sweeper
Windex
Paper towels
Hand towels
Laundry detergent
Fabric softener
Miscellaneous
Signage
Mail box
If you are opening your own office and are leasing a space you may be responsible for paying the electricity, gas, water, sewer and garbage bills.
You may want to invest in a small freezer or ice machine if you are doing treatment work. For an ice machine you will also want to get some gallon freezer baggies. You will want to buy ice packs to keep in the freezer.
When you are first starting a massage business your laundry will be easy to wash at home. As your business grows you may want to look into a laundry service. We use the local laundry. They have a drop off service and are cheaper than the ones that let you use their sheets.
You will also need to contact the phone company and have phone lines installed. Most massage therapists can work with 1-2 lines depending on what they need. One phone line can be used for the fax, internet and credit machine. It is best to leave your phone on its own line.
