I see majority of those clean one put a lot of money in it. For renovation, ambiance and very nice concept.
it is like sure to profit.

Just wonder how much a Masseur earn per session?
How about cost of operation?

This post has been edited by Red_rustyjelly: Jun 6 2019, 10:01 PM

Rm500k start up

Workers get basic Rm900 + Rm5 per customer

RM 5 per customer? that it?

the average commission is around 5-10%

on average is Rm5, then 10 customers day is already Rm50, not including extra services + tips.

The reno, equipment & inventory are the big chunk of the cost.

How much for the overall cost really depends on what's your vision of the place & how you plan to run the show. Can be as low as few hundred thousands to as high as few millions.

I've been an investor in 3 of these before.

1st one was a very basic one, only did foot massage and seated body massage.
3 partners (including a silent ASP partner)

2 of us spent RM30k for the deposit of the shop which was previously a massage shop which we only cleaned up. Hired 4 trained Sabahan masseuses that we paid RM800 basic and RM10 per hour of massage. We charged RM40 per hour for massage. Open 10-10 every day and 10-2 by appointment only. This was 9 years ago and we got our money back in 8 months. Ran for 2 years then closed it down as the landlord wanted to raise the rent by 30%

2nd one was a more presentable one, empty shoplot, ground floor did massage, 1st floor did body massage. Same partners, each of us forked out RM70k to start it. This one needed some basic renovations and we bought new furniture for it. Everything we ordered it from a company in China, RM40k, we had all the flooring, towels with our name printed, 8 chairs and stool, 6 beds, 3 seated massage chairs, lights, decorations and uniforms for the masseuses. We hired the same Sabahan masseuses, 2 China girls, 2 Filipinas and 2 Thais. Salary was RM900 basic and again the same RM10 per hour of massage. Same operating hours. Got back my money within 10 months and operated for 5 years before it was sold lock stock and barrel.

3rd one, this one is a premium one as it is located in an upscale neighbourhood. Was set up by a Thai company for RM180k, each of us forked out RM160k for this and again the same partners + 1 new one who is the landlord of the premise. Similar in size as the 2nd one but this one is more spacious and the chairs are better in quality. We have 2 Sabahan, 4 China, 2 Thai and 2 Filipinas as our masseuses paid RM1500 each and per massage they get RM15 from us, though in practice 99% of clients pay them RM20-50 in tips.This one took 14 months to get my money back.

My advise? Spend money on getting good masseuses that have excellent PR skills. A good masseuses is one that customers like coming back to over and over again, they don't normally come back because of a massage to their feet or shoulder or that "other head" but more to massage their ego. Also one of the main partners must be a hostess of the place, she must do her part in massaging egos and managing the masseuses to ensure all of them have roughly the same salary each month and yes they DO start comparing.

Renovations? Spend some but don't go overboard, remember you are there to make money. Also spend money on lighting and comfortable chairs and beds not on fancy panelling.

"Ang pows" Be prepared to PAP (Pay And Pay), one reason why we use the ASP's name and give him 10% share is because either you pay him this way or he will send someone to collect from you, you pay him this way there are people he will help you to "kautim" especially problematic are the religious authorities and immigration especially helpful too during renovations and licensing as always Bomba will "kacau" and this can be expensive.

Staffing? Takes time and you have to source China nationals from 1 of 3 sources only. All are equally expensive these days and they will approach you these days.

Marketing? Always remember the 80:20 rule, meaning 80% of your sales comes from 20% of your customers. Word of mouth is the most important marketing, anything else not that important but do look for ways and means to set yourself apart from the competition.

This is leaning more towards those "reflexology" centers? Just purely services without any selling of products & the main target markets are men?

The previous ones were purely reflexology and body massage places. Did not sell anything else other than massage oil. Customer profile 90:10 men to women.

Current one, 10-4 90:10 women to men customers. We do offer a pre and post natal massage service that though weirdly vast majority of the ones that come for it aren't pregnant or never been pregnant for a very long time We also have a manicure and pedicure service in addition facial treatments but it gets lesser after 4pm, after 4pm 70:30 men to women.

Stuff we sell? 11 different types of massage oils. We do have some face masques that we imported in from Finland but other than that no we don't sell anything else beyond our services as we don't want to be that type of place.

Interesting, day & night has different market profile entirely. So your current setup is more similar to Thai Odyssey & Healthland? They are more service orientated rather than products. No plans to diversify more into the beauty/facial segment like Herbaline or Tanamera?

This post has been edited by NightHeart: Jun 11 2019, 02:53 PM

May I ask why do you sell the 2nd one?

No plans to diversify into any of those lines of products. Only diversification is we will be opening our 2nd branch next month and hopefully 3rd branch by year end if we can secure a suitable premise. It will follow the same layout but not the Thai inspired deco.

Yes it follows closely what TO and H does but we try not to be packaged focus and a requirement for anyone to work at our place is she must be able to converse well in English from day 1.

The market profile did take us by surprise. You'd be surprised at how different it turned out comparing to what we had envisioned.

Nice, can PM where's your outlet location if you don't mind? If it's convenient, I'd like to get you a cup of tea. Hopefully after visiting your place. I'm from the product side & would like to learn more regarding the service side.

I wondering what is the market now after covid? @bjorn1688

How's the market after covid?
How about salary and commission?

always suspected got this esp for those massage centers with happy ending type.. else how they can operate openly like that.
some in KL even offer xxx services in posh setting or even famous hotels.