- Entrepreneurship
How to Start a Medspa: The Guide to Launching Your Aesthetic Empire
The medical spa industry is booming, and for good reason. With an increasing demand for non-invasive cosmetic procedures, from Botox to laser treatments, starting a medspa can be a lucrative and fulfilling business venture. But let’s be real—this isn’t just about slapping some injectables on a menu and calling it a day. To build a successful medspa, you need a combination of medical expertise, business acumen, and a keen eye for aesthetics.
So, how do you take your dream of owning a medspa and turn it into a reality? We’ve got you covered. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start a thriving medical spa—from legal requirements to branding, hiring, and marketing.
And if you’re serious about making this work (without drowning in Google searches), you’ll want to check out MBClub—a business growth community designed to help medspa owners navigate the industry with expert guidance, resources, and insider strategies.
Step 1: Understand the Medspa Business Model
Before you start ordering aesthetic devices and dreaming about luxury treatment rooms, it’s crucial to understand what makes a medspa different from a traditional spa or a doctor’s office.
A medical spa is a hybrid between a medical clinic and a day spa. It offers non-invasive medical aesthetic treatments under the supervision of a licensed medical professional. Unlike a regular spa, where services are purely relaxation-based, medspas provide clinical-grade treatments like:
✅ Botox & Dermal Fillers
✅ Laser Hair Removal
✅ Chemical Peels
✅ Microneedling
✅ IV Therapy
✅ CoolSculpting & Body Contouring
Most medspas operate on a cash-based model (hello, no insurance headaches!), making them financially appealing compared to traditional medical practices.
Step 2: Understand Legal & Licensing Requirements
This isn’t the fun part, but it’s the most important step in setting up your medspa. Medspa laws vary state by state, and the last thing you want is to pour money into a business that can’t legally operate.
Who Can Own a Medspa?
In many states, only licensed physicians can own a medical spa. However, there are workarounds, such as:
👉 Partnering with a Medical Director (a licensed physician who oversees operations).
👉 Setting up a Management Services Organization (MSO) to handle the business side while a physician oversees medical treatments.
Who Can Perform Treatments?
Injectables like Botox? Typically only RNs, NPs, PAs, and physicians can administer them.
Laser treatments? Usually require specific certifications.
Basic facials and skincare? Licensed estheticians can handle these.
🔍 Pro Tip: Consult a healthcare attorney to ensure your business structure is legally sound. MBClub has industry experts who can help you navigate these tricky waters.
Step 3: Develop Your Business Plan
A solid business plan is your roadmap to success. It should include:
✔ Startup Costs & Budget – Equipment, licensing, staffing, and marketing.
✔ Revenue Model – Will you focus on injectables? Laser treatments? Memberships?
✔ Location Strategy – Are you setting up in a high-end area or a suburban hotspot?
✔ Competitive Analysis – What are other medspas offering, and how will you stand out?
A strong business plan will attract investors and keep your growth on track. If you’re not sure where to start, MBClub offers business coaching tailored to medspa owners.
Step 4: Choose the Right Location
Location can make or break your medspa. You want high visibility and easy access, but you also need the right demographics. Your ideal client? Typically women ages 30-55 with disposable income.
Look for spaces that offer:
📍 High foot traffic (think near upscale shopping areas or fitness studios).
📍 Ample parking (your clients are not looking to parallel park in heels).
📍 A high-income demographic (you want an area where people are already investing in beauty & wellness).
Step 5: Invest in the Right Equipment & Technology
Cutting corners on equipment is a no-go in this industry. Your clients are trusting you with their faces and bodies—this is not the time to buy a sketchy laser machine from an online auction.
Popular medspa devices include:
⚡ HydraFacial Machines – Everyone wants that dewy glow.
⚡ CoolSculpting & Body Contouring Devices – Non-invasive fat reduction is huge.
⚡ Laser Hair Removal Machines – Recurring revenue, anyone?
⚡ RF Microneedling Devices – Skin tightening is in demand.
Pro Tip: Invest in devices that offer multiple treatment options to maximize your ROI. MBClub can guide you in choosing the best machines for your business.
Step 6: Build a Rockstar Team
Your staff is the face of your medspa, and a strong team can make or break your reputation.
Key roles to hire:
👩⚕️ Medical Director (if required in your state).
💉 Nurse Injectors (NPs, RNs, or PAs trained in aesthetics).
🧴 Licensed Estheticians (for facials, peels, and skincare).
📞 Front Desk & Sales Team (customer service is everything).
Hiring the right team is an investment, not an expense. You want trained professionals who understand both science and aesthetics.
Step 7: Branding & Marketing Your Medspa
This is where your medspa goes from basic to premium.
1. Develop a Strong Brand Identity
- Name & Logo – Something chic and memorable.
- Aesthetic – Modern, minimal, or luxury? Define your vibe.
- Website & Social Media – Instagram will be your best friend.
2. Implement a Marketing Strategy
🚀 Google & Instagram Ads – Target clients in your area.
🚀 Influencer & Referral Programs – Word-of-mouth marketing is gold.
🚀 Email & SMS Campaigns – Keep clients engaged and booking.
🔗 Want help with medspa marketing? Join MBClub for industry-leading strategies.
Step 8: Create a Membership & Loyalty Program
One of the biggest secrets to a successful medspa? Recurring revenue. Memberships and VIP programs keep your clients coming back, even when they’re not getting Botox.
Ideas for membership perks:
✔ Exclusive Discounts on Treatments
✔ Priority Booking
✔ Monthly Freebies (Facials, Peels, Skincare Samples)
Step 9: Open Your Doors & Start Booking Clients!
Now, it’s time for the grand opening! 🎉 Make it an event—offer discounted treatments, host an influencer night, and get the buzz going.
Final Thoughts: Is Opening a Medspa Right for You?
Starting a medspa is not just about aesthetics—it’s about business strategy, medical expertise, and killer branding. It’s competitive, but if done right, it can be an incredibly profitable venture.
And you don’t have to do it alone. MBClub is the ultimate resource for medspa owners, offering industry insights, marketing strategies, and business coaching to help you scale your business faster and smarter.
💡 Join MBClub today and start building the medspa of your dreams!
