Why now is the best time to start a mobile body sculpting business
If you’ve been sitting on the idea of getting started with your own body sculpting business, it’s time to go for it and make it happen! Consider a mobile body sculpting business model; it’s a great plan. It’s the least expensive, and lowest risk of all three body sculpting business models. And with the modern day insistence for ‘convenience,’ a high number of consumers expect services delivered to their homes.
Welcome to the first of a three part blog series brought to you by the Body Contouring Academy. In each of our three articles, we will walk you through the steps to set up your first body sculpting business using a particular business model.
Since there are three business models from which to choose, we take a deep dive into one of them in each of the three blogs.
First up, in today’s article is the
- Mobile body sculpting business model.
- Followed by our second article outlining the home-based body sculpting business model.
- And we’ll conclude our trio of articles with the lease space or booth space body sculpting business model.
And in each blog article…
- We’ll discuss the benefits of the body sculpting business model.
- We’ll tell you how to get started with the body sculpting business model.
- And as a bonus, Body Contouring Academy students (current and former) can access our downloadable FREE mobile body sculpting business guide (for any or all of the body sculpting business models).
Want the guide, but you’re not a student yet? Check out how easy it is to enroll in a Body Contouring Academy online body contouring certification course and get access to all of the perks!
In today’s article, we explore the Mobile Body Sculpting Business
Mobile Body Sculpting Business
The big shift to remote and convenience has brought a high demand for mobile services delivered in the home
We’ve changed rapidly over the past few years. As a society, we’ve experienced a shift to working remotely, doctor visits via telehealth, online learning, getting groceries and food delivered, and we’ve seen a boom in e-commerce buying. Today, just less than half of all consumers make their purchases inside a brick and mortar store.
Indeed, the demand for services and products delivered ‘at the touch of the keypad’ is the new norm. And consistent with these changes, a growing number of consumers prefer their body sculpting services delivered within the comfort, convenience, and safety of their own home.
But it’s not just the high demand for home-delivered services that makes the mobile body sculpting business model a winner, there are several other advantages - as we outline below.
Will you answer the demand and start a mobile body sculpting business?
Benefits of a Mobile Body Sculpting Business
1. Low start-up costs
Regardless of the business model, the low cost of entry to start a career in body contouring is a huge advantage. And the mobile body sculpting business model is certainly appealing to many because it has the lowest startup overhead of all the body sculpting business models.
Maybe the biggest advantage is that with a mobile body sculpting business, you don’t have to sign a lease contract for a space you can’t afford. This is a big deal when you’re just starting out.
While you’re building up a new practice, you may not have enough client fees to cover rent and utilities, much less having money left over for your salary. No such worries with a mobile body sculpting business.
2. Flexible schedule with more freedom
If you like your freedom and enjoy (or need) flexibility, a mobile body sculpting business may be a good choice.
You can schedule as many or as few appointments as you like.
And if you want (or need) to work during certain hour periods, you can schedule your clients during those times.
Bottom line. You can set your own hours and manage your own schedule.
3. You can charge more for services
With a mobile body sculpting business, you have the ability to charge more even as you’re spending less.
You can make more money working fewer hours because you can charge a premium. Call it a ‘convenience premium,’ because of the time and travel it requires, and the convenience it affords for clients.
Most body contouring providers offering mobile body sculpting services charge a ‘convenience fee’ above and beyond fees for service. It’s not uncommon to see a $100 initial convenience fee with $50 convenience fees for every visit after the initial service.
4. Low overhead
The low overhead for a mobile body sculpting business is attractive for new and veteran body contouring professionals alike. Though you do have to pay for gas and automobile maintenance, the ongoing savings from rent and utilities can be significant.
And without a physical location, you can easily scale up or down as it fits your circumstances.
How to prepare for a mobile body sculpting business
The advantages of a mobile body sculpting business are clear. But before you dive in, take these things into consideration.
1. Comfort, safety, collecting fees
The mobile body sculpting business requires an adaptable personality since your work setting (client’s homes) will be different each time.
You should also be a little on the adventurous side because of that needed flexibility. You will not be working in a ‘controlled environment’ of your design.
You never know what to expect when you go to a new client’s home.
- One concern is the environment and your comfort in performing treatments.
Anticipate problems like these: Will the home be cramped, messy or noisy? Will unsupervised children be present during the treatment? Will the space allow for a therapeutic treatment?
You may want to include questions about the room your client plans to use in your intake paperwork.
Are you good with directions? You need to develop the skills as you will need to find the home and locate parking.
The other concern is the client herself. You will need to (1) weed out clients who are not serious, (2) make sure you collect for services, and (3) protect yourself from bad characters.
- Be certain to get a full name, phone number, email address and credit card information upon booking.
- Either charge a non-refundable deposit (example: $50) that will be credited towards payment for services - or - collect payment in full up-front at the time of booking, and make it non-refundable if inadequate cancellation notice is given.
- And require intake paperwork to be completed and submitted to you prior to the appointment.
Maybe you’re not sure which treatments to offer? Technologies to use?
Or what machines to buy?
Get the body contouring course that answers all of those questions and more.
It will set you up for success!
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2. Environment and supplies
Be prepared and ready to go at all times. In a mobile body sculpting business you will need to bring all of your equipment with you. This includes your treatment table, machine(s), and any supplies you may need. We recommend two other items: a bag on wheels to pack all of your supplies - and - a portable utility cart on which to place your machine(s) and supplies while in the client’s home.
Ready to get set up?
Here’s a Mobile Business Supplies Checklist you can use!
✅ Business Necessities
Credit card reader, i.e. Square Reader, to accept payments
Treatment forms
Smart phone for re-booking
✅ Marketing Materials
Business Signs for your vehicle
Business cards
✅ Treatment Basics
Lightweight portable massage table
Small utility cart to hold machine and supplies
Machine(s) for treatment(s)
✅ Supplies
Portable travel bag on wheels to load and transport supplies
Gloves
Sanitary hand wipes
2-3 small pillows
2-3 small towels
Extra pillowcases and towels
Smartphone or camera for photos
Measuring tape
Lightweight scales
Unscented baby wipes for cleaning
CaviWipes or other EPA approved disinfectant for disinfecting
Treatment specific supplies: ex: ultrasound gel, antifreeze membranes, etc
Plastic garbage liner bags for dirty linen and trash
You can find the complete list of recommended mobile body sculpting business supplies included within our FREE downloadable Mobile Body Sculpting Business Guide for the mobile body sculpting business model below.
PRO TIP: Travel with less! Get certified and start your mobile body sculpting business with one machine that has the ability to treat multiple body concerns. Take a look at our Body Contouring 6 in1 Masterclass where you can get certified in fat cavitation, radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening, vacuum/LED, and Lipo Laser
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3. Scheduling appointments
➤ Both home-based and leased space body sculpting business models allow you to book clients back to back.
➤ Not so for the mobile body sculpting business.
➤ You need to allow time for travel and setup.
➤ Make sure to adjust your schedule to allow enough buffer time and travel time in between appointments.
4. Setting your fees
You should charge more for mobile body sculpting services, but be deliberate in how you set your rates. (We already talked about ‘convenience fees,’ fees above and beyond treatment fees.)
These convenience fees may include what you need to collect for things like your travel, time and parking - or - you could charge an additional flat fee to cover travel, time and parking, something like $10, $15, $25 (your decision on the amount) additional travel charge depending on the distance, time and inconvenience.
PRO TIP: Whatever you choose, be sure to keep a log of your travel mileage, because you can use it as a tax deduction.
Is the mobile body sculpting business model for you?
Consumer demand for non-invasive body contouring services (delivered via all three business models) has been growing rapidly for many years…with numbers predicted to continue growing.
And due to the demand for ‘delivered services’ (brought about by the convenience mentality), the mobile body sculpting business model has emerged as a very viable business model.
That’s why NOW is the perfect time to start a mobile sculpting business with its:
High demand
Low start up costs
and
Flexible scheduling.
Are you ready to take the leap?
- Enroll in one of our online body contouring certification courses at the Body Contouring Academy to get started with body contouring education authored by experts and comprehensive resources.
- Then you’re more than ready to start the body sculpting business model that fits you best.
Next up is Part Two of our three-part series…the Home Based Body Sculpting Business Model!
Get your FREE Mobile Body Sculpting Business Guide now!
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Editor’s Note: This blog was originally published in November of 2022 and has been revised and updated for accuracy, relevance and comprehensiveness.