Are you ready to get into the salt cave business but don’t know where to start? We’ve put together a short list of things you’ll need to do to get the ball rolling.
- Secure Commercial Space (if you don’t have an existing facility)
- Hire a Professional Salt Cave Builder
- Equipment Selection and Acquisition
- Market Your New Salt Cave Business
- Rake in the Revenue!
Startup costs for a salt cave business can vary depending on whether you are transforming an existing space in your facility or building a new space from the ground up. Let’s take a closer look at the five steps to get you from the ideation stage to fattening your bottom line.
But first, we’ll explain the difference between a salt cave and a salt room.
Salt Cave Vs. Salt Room
Both salt caves and salt rooms provide a space where clients can receive halotherapy (aka salt therapy) treatment. The difference between the two is in the decor.
A salt cave refers to a specific decor theme, one that mimics the original, natural salt mines of Eastern Europe. When salt caves first began popping up in the states they were designed in a particular way with white salt on the walls similar to natural salt caves.
A salt room is used as the generic terminology to refer to the environment in which halotherapy is offered. Salt rooms don’t rely on salt as decor. More recently, designers and architects are incorporating other natural, corrosive-free materials into salt rooms. Wood, various types of stone, and other natural materials are popular choices.
Regardless if you use the word salt room or salt cave, your space needs to have a halogenerator to produce the halotherapy (dry salt therapy). Without a halogenerator, there is no halotherapy.
#1 Secure Commercial Space
If you already have a wellness business or commercial space, you can skip to the next section to learn more about designing and building your salt room. If you do not currently own a spa or existing space, you’ll want to consider the pros and cons of leasing or buying a commercial unit.
The services you plan to offer will determine the room size you need for salt therapy treatments. The size of treatment rooms typically ranges from 200 square feet up to 600 square feet (SALT Booths® require much less floor space and can be placed practically anywhere in your facility).
Leasing an existing commercial unit may save you money as they typically come complete with walls, rooms, plumbing, electrical and HVAC. This means you’ll be able to convert a room into a salt cave instead of having to build a room out from scratch.
#2 Hire a Professional Salt Cave Builder
If you are starting with an unfinished commercial space, you’ll need to hire a general contractor (GC) to build all the necessary rooms and MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing).
Salt bricks aren’t like regular bricks; they can be unstable in certain environments and must be handled with special building practices and environmental control measures. For this reason, we highly recommend hiring a professional salt cave builder for optimal results and longevity of your salt cave business.
Some key things to consider for your build whether you’re starting a new salt cave business, or expanding your existing wellness business, are:
- Framing
- Sound Proofing
- HVAC
- Flooring and walls
Professional salt cave builders, or GCs that have experience building out salt rooms, will know the safest way to ensure your space is properly-fitted and reinforced to support the needs of your salt cave.
SALT Chamber has worked with hotels, wellness centers, yoga and massage studios, and stand-alone facilities during the design and concept planning stages to bring their vision to life.
#3 Equipment Selection and Acquisition
Halogenerator
The halogenerator is the key to salt therapy. It’s the primary device that crushes, grinds, and disperses pure sodium chloride into the air in a salt cave. Choosing the right halogenerator can be the difference in a successful salt cave business.
Depending on the design, concept, and size of your salt cave, there are several halogenerators from which you can choose. SALT Chamber works with you to determine the dosage profile, controls and programs, and size of micro-particles your salt cave needs.
Salt Décor and Furnishings
In addition to the halogenerator, you may need other furnishings and equipment to complete your salt cave. Once you’ve settled on the design and concept, you’ll probably want to add comfortable furniture, warm lights, a sound system, and various salt décor.
SALT Chamber offers the following salt décor to create a soothing, relaxing salt cave:
- Custom Himalayan Salt Panels: These durable panels are 22″ x 22″. They contain no toxic materials, VOCs, or smell, and can be cut to fit any installation.
- Himalayan Salt Bricks and Tiles: Available in a variety of sizes ranging from 4” x 4” to 10” x 16” bricks, the salt bricks and tiles come in smooth or rough-cut finishes. The bricks can be used in dry salt saunas, but should not be used in humid, moist environments.
- Himalayan Salt Rocks and Boulders: These “raw” salt rocks can be used as accent pieces to create a cave or grotto environment, or other distinct designs.
SALT Chamber can work with you to find the items that best fit your aesthetics and budget. This service includes helping with equipment comparison and selection, proposals, and ordering and delivery of equipment.
#4 Market Your New Salt Cave Business
Like any venture, to achieve success in the salt cave business, you’ll need to get the word out until you start generating repeat business. The easiest way to start is to alert the existing clientele of your new service. As they say, it costs less to keep a customer than to acquire a new one.
Many existing spa facilities launch their new salt cave business offerings by pairing salt therapy treatments with current services. Another tactic that has seen success is to provide discounts to current clients for their initial salt therapy session.
#5 Boost Your Bottom Line With a Salt Cave Business
The bulk of costs associated with a salt cave business is at the start. Ongoing maintenance and labor costs are minimal, which means your bottom line will continue to increase once you’ve recouped your initial investment.
Besides insurance and salt inventory, your main recurring expense will most likely be marketing. If you already have a staff at your facility, it’s unlikely you’ll need to hire additional people. Your current employees should be able to handle the minimal maintenance required between salt therapy sessions.
No one has more knowledge and experience in the salt therapy industry than SALT Chamber. If you’re interested in starting your own salt cave business, call 561-556-3322 or click here for a custom quote and to learn how easy it is to add salt therapy to your new or existing business.
Leo Tonkin, with a decade of deep expertise in salt therapy, initiated SALT Chamber, a leading entity in the domain of salt therapy products and decor. As the inaugural Chairman of the Salt Therapy Association and Chair of the Respiratory Wellness Initiative from the Global Wellness Institute, he has played a pivotal role in broadening the accessibility and recognition of salt therapy globally. His commitment to developing advanced technology and educating the public on the benefits of salt therapy has solidified his position as a key figure in the industry, enhancing its credibility and trustworthiness.
