Could a yoga offering at your spa boost profits and increase your clientele?
Spa LamarSpa Lamar
Convinced adding a yoga studio space to your spa could be a great business opportunity, but daunted by the finances?
“Adding a first class 1,000 to 1,200 square-foot yoga studio complete with sound system, props and a wood floor can cost approximately $150 per square foot, depending on the market you’re in,” says Exhale Spa CEO and founder Annbeth Eschbach. Of course that number can vary greatly based on a huge range of factors, including your location, how extensive of a remodel you plan to take on, and how many extras and add ons you want to incorporate into your space. So what will you’ll need to get started?
“The main obstacle for spa owners is finding a dedicated studio space,” says Danielle Cuccio, Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and CEO of Cuccio Somatology. “Everything else you need is small by comparison.” Hiring an architect, ripping down walls or adding an extension is expensive. If you aren’t capable of making that type of financial commitment, consider these alternatives:
Convert an unused space. Maybe it’s your waiting area, and for significantly less than the cost of addition, you could add a sliding door and wire in a sound system. Or, consider gutting and reorganizing a back office that isn’t used much.
Create a multi-purpose space. If you have a meditation or quiet room, that area could double as a yoga practice space for a few hours each week.
Increase your square footage. If your spa isn’t standalone, you could price the cost of renting or acquiring a neighboring space. Adding a new treatment room or couples’ suite simultaneously has the potential to boost business in other ways.
Partner with a nearby studio. If expanding or converting your space simply isn’t doable (or if there are too many yoga competitors in your area), create a partnership with a local studio instead. Offer patrons a community package, such as five yoga classes, two sauna sessions and a facial, to help introduce that studio’s clients to your business, and vice versa.
All the Necessities: Here’s a simple shopping list for stocking your spa’s yoga space.
The must-haves:
- Studio space
- Certified instructor(s)
- Liability waivers (be sure to check coverage with your business insurance)
- Class listing and sign-up system (such as Weebly, $30/annually)
- Stereo system and music player
- Yoga mats (can be rented)
- Natural mat cleaner
- Blocks
- Stretching ropes
- Blankets
- Essential oils
To read our Marketing Savvy column—featuring success stories from spa owners who have integrated a yoga component—head over to the digital edition of our July issue.
