[ASK TBM] What are the Basics for Starting a Successful Home Spa Business?
We asked Bianca Yanga-Vargas, who owns The Bee Spa with husband and ‘PBB’ alum Joe Vargas, for tips and advice when it comes to opening a home spa business.
The pandemic saw the growth of personal care home services—given that brick-and-mortar spas, salons, and other similar establishments were ordered closed by governments for a handful of months. In particular, Statista forecasts that the size of the spa services market worldwide will reach $259.26 billion (approximately PHP 14.72 trillion).
In fact, many entrepreneurs have seen business opportunities that home services—particularly home spas—bring.
Setting up a home spa business, however, takes careful planning. After all, there are a lot of things to consider, such as where to hire your massage therapists, how to train them, and where to get the much-needed equipment. To help guide aspiring home spa business owners, we asked for tips and advice from the co-owner of The Bee Spa, Bianca Yanga-Vargas.
Having put together the business in 2018 with her now-husband, Pinoy Big Brother alum Joe Vargas, Bianca shares what aspiring entrepreneurs should keep in mind before starting a business.
What inspired or pushed you and your husband to start The Bee Spa?
We both love massages! That’s why we started The Bee Spa.
The start of the business was cute because our first five therapists were actually my favorite therapists since college, and I brought them all together.
Our target market includes people who have high-stress jobs, those who want to pamper themselves, and even athletes. We give high priority to customer satisfaction by ensuring we fulfill client needs at a competitive price and a sustainable cost.
It’s our goal to relieve stress and pamper our clients, and to give them the utmost satisfaction. To make this possible, we provide a hassle-free, one-call-away type of home service massage.
Were you always knowledgeable about massages and the services your business offers? How were you able to acquire the knowledge and skills related to your offered services?
Yes. I have a licensed therapist trainer. Every time my therapists do training, I always make sure that I attend as well.
What kind of equipment and materials did you have to invest in to grow your business?
First is our staff house. I also had to invest in everything that was needed inside the house. For example, the kitchen equipment and the bedroom area.
Second, I also had to invest in the equipment and other necessities for different types of massage, such as ventosa.
Third, I made sure to have the best licensed trainer to refresh the knowledge and skills of all my therapists once a month.
How did you look for and train your staff to perform the services you provide at The Bee Spa?
I first started by recruiting my five favorite therapists. I also hired therapists via social media. And then aside from social media hiring, I also relied on word of mouth to hire other therapists through my current therapists.
What are the pros and cons of having and running a home massage spa service?
For the pros, my husband and I get to share our passion for business and love for massages with our therapists and clients.
For the cons, in every business, there’s a low season. So every time we are in that season, we always make sure that our marketing strategies are on point and ready. For high and low times, marketing is really the key.
What concrete tips and advice can you give aspiring entrepreneurs who want to put up a similar business?
Start now. Make sure you love what you’re doing, even when you’re in a stage you find difficult. Keep going. Don’t give up!
Consistency is also really important. And don’t forget to always recalibrate. Level things up. Never stop learning. Don’t be overconfident. And remember to do your best all the time, so you won’t have regrets. Lastly, love and take care of your people. Love and appreciate your clients.
Bianca Yanga-Vargas co-owns The Bee Spa with her husband, PBB album Joe Vargas, whom she met while they both were working on showbiz careers. Prior to starting their home spa business, the couple opened a food business venture, Longga Joe’s, in 2017.