starting/buying a day spa?

[RubySunrise]

Hi Ladies (& gents?), Sorry for the long post!! So I have been thinking for a while now, that I need a complete career change. My uni degree has never got me anywhere and have only ever been in administrative roles (with a brief pub stint). After having my DD, I have decided I don't want to go back to my current job. Its boring and and is an hour from home. I'm due to go back in June. Also, we want to have another baby very soon. I have always liked the idea, but after going to a BEAUTIFUL day spa for a spray tan last week, I made the big decision, I want my own beautiful spa....one day! Now, I have no experience in any sort of beauty therapy and I don't really want to head down that road. I just want to own and manage the spa. But I have NO IDEA where to start!! My DH is all for this and has suggested I try to get some sort of job in one, (ie. reception, admin, anything else that doesn't require skills as such!) to get an idea of how they run operationally. So are there any spa owners or employees that can give me any other advice or anyone who has started a business or bought a business that they didn't know anything about that can point me in the right direction? I really have no idea here, but its something I really want to do. thanks in advance!!

[RubySunrise]

No one at all?

[RubySunrise]

One last bump and then I give up! Surely there must be someone out there that can help me!

[Littlemissmetal]

I'm studying Beauty Therapy, I'm not sure how much of a chance you would have getting a job in a spa/salon without any qualifications as most of the recpetion still do beauty duties and reception often switches while each beautician takes care of their clients. Perhaps you could to a business and managment course if your looking in owning/managing a salon, I know in my beauty diploma you can you can do sub courses in management, running your own salon etc. So maybe you could ring around and see if any beauty schools offer short classes just in those subjects.

[RubySunrise]

Ok, thanks for the advice. I'll look into that some more then :-)

[MeetTheBluths]

Hi there,

Sorry about the delayed response - this us a forum I only ever check occasionally, being a busy business-starting mum myself.

I don't know anything about that industry, but I do know that the best way to go forward with your idea is to read, read, read, research, everything you can about it, send emails to wholesalers asking about costs, look around for suppliers of equipment etc and it would be a VERY good idea to do a business course of some sort as you need to know about the business side of things if you're going to be managing it yourself.

Its a huge project to start with but good luck! I recently started my own home/Internet based business and thought it would be simple.... It's not, it's lots of work and my old job Would have been so much easier! But far less satisfying. :yes:

[Addiesmum]

How are your plans going for the spa?

[RubySunrise]

Hi! Thank you for asking! Decided to put it off for a few years, till after we've finished having kids.
But think I'm gonna go with an endota franchise. Got all their paperwork and it looks really good. Very exy though...

[faroutbrusselsprout]

Hi! Thank you for asking! Decided to put it off for a few years, till after we've finished having kids.
But think I'm gonna go with an endota franchise. Got all their paperwork and it looks really good. Very exy though...

I know them! They are gorgeous girls an sooooo successful! If you can afford it they are a wonderful company.

[RubySunrise]

Oh really?! How funny! Yea, it's gonna be about $300k. So we have to wait until we can afford to put some of it on our mortgage.

I would love to do it. Just all about timing!