Medical spas are a hot topic in current industry trends. The market was valued at USD 17200 million in 2023 and is forecasted to reach USD 36030 million by 2030.

There are many reasons behind this market’s speedy growth. One is the increased awareness among people about wellness and self-care. People are beginning to spend more on taking care of their bodies, and there is an increasing emphasis on personal well-being.

Another reason med spas are popular is the increased demand for non-invasive cosmetic procedures. Emerging technologies like ultrasonic cavitation, HIFEM sculpting, and diode laser hair removal have brought the industry’s popularity to unprecedented heights.

All these factors add to the appeal of the med spas as a potential business venture for physicians, trained nurses, estheticians, and entrepreneurs. The industry is constantly evolving because it relies on innovation and technology. Entrepreneurs looking to establish a med spa will need advice on successfully navigating the venture in this competitive industry.

Let’s hear Virginia Salem’s secret to success in this trade. She is an esthetician with medical experience who runs her own successful med spa, the VSS Body Sculpting Lab, in the heart of El Cajon, California.

A Glimpse of the Journey of Virginia’s Med Spa

Virginia founded the lab two years ago, having over 16 years of experience in Body Sculpting and cosmetic procedures. She was a single mother struggling to raise her four children, but she knew her passion and what she wanted to do.

Virginia set up the spa with great enthusiasm. Yet, she was initially let down when the customer flow was not as good as she had expected. She also struggled with managing her finances and developing a stable customer base.

But, she persisted and timely countered these issues, and the second year of the med spa’s opening saw it flourishing, with many new customers coming in and the old ones coming back. Because of the heavy client influx, her spa is currently open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Things to Consider

Virginia is aware that treatments like skin tightening, anti-aging, and weight loss are fuelling the industry’s popularity, with many new entrepreneurs now seeking to open med spas. She shares the areas that should be focused upon to ensure a smooth transition from a startup to a successful business.

1. Financing

Managing and maintaining finances is crucial to the success of any business. They play a pivotal role in major decisions like expansion, purchasing new machinery, remodeling the space, etc. 

It is important to regulate what steps generate profit and to reduce and eliminate any action harming the financial health of the business. Effective financial management can greatly help reduce risks, improve profitability, and help stabilize the business in the long term.

Virginia faced this challenge when the rent for the space in her spa was higher than the income she was earning from clients. She made a smart financial choice and relocated to a cheaper space.

2. Location

Location plays a pivotal role in drawing in customers and maintaining the business. An obscure location can mean the loss of plenty of potential customers. People especially prefer open, refreshing, and well-kept spaces for spas. An uninviting place can put off a potential customer.

Virginia decided to relocate her spa from an expensive, smaller space to a larger, less expensive area. This decision proved beneficial for her in the long run, as it enabled her to rent out empty spaces to other businesses, like a dentist, which also helped with the promotion of her own spa.

3. Marketing

Marketing your business is also essential, in addition to choosing a location and managing finances. People will only choose you for your services if they are aware of your existence.

Virginia markets her business through active social media updates. She also regularly posts promotional sale packages to drive customer growth. They occasionally target specific demographics, like Mommy Makeover, or they celebrate events like Spooktacular Halloween and February Valentine’s Specials.

Importantly, Virginia ensures the satisfaction of all her clients because she believes in word-of-mouth marketing. This has also helped establish her loyal customer base.

Keep Growing with a Touch of Innovation

Last but not least, staying current with industry trends and incorporating newly emerging technologies is crucial for the growth and survival of the med spa.

Much research and experiments are being conducted on the technologies and techniques used in various cosmetic procedures. This nature of the industry dictates that a med spa owner must be aware of any new developments. And if one has to distinguish oneself from other competitors, one must be quick to incorporate the latest progress into one’s business.

At VSS lab, this practice is taken one step ahead by updating social media accounts with any newly purchased equipment. For instance, one such post shows the newly purchased diode laser hair removal machinery at work.

Follow to learn more about what a successful med spa looks like.

Published by: Martin De Juan