How to Start a Medical Spa in California

The med spa industry is booming in California, and if you’re thinking of getting involved in this growing market, first, you’ll need to know how to start a medical spa. 

In this guide, we’ll fill you in on what you need to know about how to open a medical spa in California so that you can pursue your dreams of building a thriving and successful med spa business.

How to Start a Medical Spa: The 5 Most Important Steps

1. Develop a business plan

Your first step when starting a med spa should be to develop a business plan.

The med spa industry is in a continual flux of change and evolution, but with a solid business plan that clearly defines your vision, mission, goals, customer service model, target market and key competitors, you’ll find it much easier to maintain focus and make the best decisions for your business.

2. Ensure you meet the legal requirements

It’s also integral that you meet all the legislative requirements to operate a med spa, including:

• choosing the right business structure and registering your business (you may need to seek legal guidance for this)
• ensuring you hold the appropriate licenses, and
• seeking the correct insurances, including professional liability, general liability and property insurances.

You’ll also need to develop legal patient consent forms, establish systems that comply with HIPAA privacy laws, and ensure you comply with all OSHA and other workplace standards.

3. Decide how you’ll integrate ‘medical’ and ‘spa’ services

You need to offer a suite of complementary services that customers perceive as valuable, while ensuring the scope of what the practice offers is in line with your medical qualification.

You may even be wondering “can you own a medical spa without being a doctor?” The answer will depend entirely on the services and treatments you want to provide, and what is allowed under your medical license. In some cases, you may need to appoint a Medical Director.

4. Choose the right location

When choosing a location for your med spa, keep in mind that most customers are willing to travel to see a doctor, but they may not be as willing to travel for spa services.

Look for a suitable location that offers the right balance that will allow you to appeal to all customer segments, while abiding by the local zoning requirements (as not all premises will be appropriately zoned for medical services).

5. Know how you’ll find customers

To build a successful med spa, you’ll also need to create a great website, and back it up with a fantastic sales and marketing strategy that will help you build your brand and develop a strong customer base.

Gone are the days when customers would just arrive on your doorstep. With med spas popping up right across California, you’ll need a marketing strategy that encompasses everything from your in-clinic service model, through to your SEO, PPC marketing, social media and content marketing. 

That’s where we can help—at MD Logica, we have the expertise and know-how to help you build and grow your Californian med spa. Find out more about who we are and how we can help you build a successful business.

The information included in this article is general only and should not be taken as financial or legal advice. You should always seek personalized financial or legal advice from a qualified professional about starting a business.