Getting Started in Salt Therapy

The opportunity for Salt Therapy is expanding! Whether you want to provide salt therapy to one person or 10 people, we will discuss the basics of setting up your salt therapy profit centre.

Whether you purchase a single pop-out room for one person, a salt therapy cabin or booth for several people, convert a sauna or a full room conversion for your own unique salt therapy experience, we will discuss how the revenue can significantly add to your bottom line.

Getting started

How much does it cost? It totally depends upon how you would like to present your business. Do you want to go bare bones simplicity or high end spa centre, here are some considerations for you.

Things to consider:

• Overall Budget
• Location/Population
• Personal preference on aesthetics
• Will you have a 3, 4 or aesthetic
• Design of the room
• Construction of the room

But, you need to allow at least $4000 to $5000 to set up a reasonably presentable room provided the space is already complete.

Four key considerations to create a salt room:

1. Halogenerator to suit your space. Small, medium or large.
2. A Portable unit, Cabin or Converted room?
3. Ventilation/Air Conditioning considerations for a converted room
4. Decoration, Design and Aesthetics. Basic to elaborate.

Salt therapy is also known as Halotherapy. ‘Halo’ means ‘salt’ and you will find both these terms interchanged when doing your online research.

The Halogenerator or Salt Therapy Generator

The heart and soul that breathes success to a salt room, salt cave or a salt therapy concept starts with the Halogenerator.

A Halogenerator is the name of a piece of modern technology that efficiently replicates the health benefits from a natural salt cave.

This specialised machine grinds up sodium chloride into tiny “salt dust” particles and disperses the dry salt aerosol into a salt room at a precise microscopic particle size and concentration levels.

9 essential considerations to purchasing a Halogenerator:

1. Particle size – check the size of the particle that the Halogenerator can grind the salt. Ideally the finer the better, so the salt will be dispersed evenly through a space. The lighter and dryer the salt, the better concentration and the deeper the inhalation into the lungs resulting in more effective salt therapy. Ideal particle size is 0.1 to 0.5 micron.
2. Cleaning – it is vital to keep your Halogenerator extremely clean. Salt can be corrosive – the more moving parts can mean more problems. Ensure you can access all moving parts easily to clean and replace salt regularly. Generally, it is best to clean you Halogenerator with dry brushes and compressed air. Never use water. Tip: Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to ensure you stay within warranty requirements.
3. Noise – Be sure to ask the manufacturer about the noise you can expect from your machine. A noisy machine is not conducive to a relaxing environment. Ideally the maximum noise cannot be heard over relaxation music played through headphones. Tip: Some suppliers have videos on their machines so you can hear and see how it works before purchasing.
4. Salt – most generators only require a small amount of salt per session. Salt can be changed between each session or after a number of sessions. This is something to consider as it will add to your running costs. A pharmaceutical grade quality sodium chloride is the only salt I recommend for salt therapy. Ensure the salt doesn’t have any additives, anti-caking agents or iodine. Tip: Humid conditions may necessitate more frequent top-ups of salt.
5. Size of machine – there a different sized Halogenerators, depending on the size of your room. Naturally a larger unit will cost more than a smaller one.
   Most large scale generators need to be mounted on the external wall of the salt room. This important factor is easily overlooked when designing your room, ensure you have space on the outside of the room to mount and access your Halogenerator. Smaller units can be installed inside a salt room. Tip: A Halogenerator will stick out a little from the wall – ensure it is placed where it will not be bumped and is still easily accessible. Note: There are more compact machines available for smaller rooms which are portable and can be placed inside the salt room and not fixed to the wall. Tip: Calculate the size of your room before you purchase your Halogenerator to ensure you get the correct one.
6. Installation –machines externally wall-mounted require a hole drilled through the wall to accommodate the input tube. You can achieve this quite easily with a drill and special hole cutter. Follow the manufactures requirements for correct installation.
7. Maintenance – check if the company has reliable service and support for your equipment. Ask about their warranty policy and spare parts procedures too.
8. Dry your salt – this is easily over looked and rarely advised. Salt is hygroscopic meaning it absorbs moisture. The dryer the salt the more effective the salt therapy experience will be.
   Tip: For larger salt generators, dry (do not cook) your salt in a small toaster oven or rice cooker, in daily batches on a low temperature.
9. Costs – the cost of a Halogenerator will vary from AUD $799 to $12,000 depending on the size of the machine you require and your budget. A Halogenerator is required for each room, so if you want two rooms you will require two Halogenerators.

Which Halogenerator?

Pop-out Rooms

This unit is totally portable and can be set-up or packed down within minutes. This unit is mainly used by home users, small home based natural therapists, or mobile services such as massage services.

Advantages: Low start up cost, ease of use, small space requirement, totally portable.

Disadvantages: Noise 65dB for 5 seconds every minute, requires a chair, only seats one person at a time. Same temperature and humidity as surrounds.

Revenue potential ideas:

• $20-$25 per 30 minutes for a dedicated salt therapy
• Extra $10 for a 10 minute salt therapy before a massage
• $10-$15 for a 15 minute session in a health food store
• Packages with other services.

Cabins/Booths/Converted Sauna’s

A cabin is a more professional look for a small practice or multi-discipline business. The cabin can be gently warmed to increase absorption of salt and remove humidity.

This unit is mainly used in small business as an up-sell/cross-sell for other services or combinations of service. A cabin can also be used in a home environment where temperature and humidity control is required.

Advantages: Low to Medium start up cost, ease of use, medium space requirement, seats one to two people at a time, more professional look, temperature and humidity can be modified inside cabin to assist therapy, can be easily moved within a room without disassembly.

Disadvantages: Noise 65dB for 5 seconds every minute if Salt Generator is internally installed or around 45dB for externally installed; rent out the space (not per seat); must be disassembled to move to another room/location; cannot seat more than the seating allocation.

Revenue potential ideas:

• $25-$30 per 30 minutes for a dedicated salt therapy
• Packages with other services.

Portable salt room vs. Converting a room

If the idea of converting a room into a salt room (covered shortly) feels too complicated and expensive, consider going portable! A portable salt room makes a quick addition to your business and is perfect for home use.

There are a few different looks available – sauna booth style (without the sauna) or an all-glass style. Portable salt rooms are available in various sizes to accommodate one to six people. Halogenerators can be attached to the inside or outside of these rooms.

Tip: With a portable salt room, you avoid any building costs. Plus the room you put it in serves as change and locker area. Even better, if you move locations, just take it with you!

Converted Room

A room converted to a salt room is best to be sealed with no openings to other rooms. If you have an open area nearby or get drafts into the room, it will affect the Halogenerator and alter the concentration of salt in the room.

The Halogenerator grinds salt into a fine dust/powder which you want to remain airborne and suspended as long as possible within the room. This is what creates the salty atmosphere. Drafts, openings or external fans in the room will detract from this atmosphere and drastically reduce the benefits of salt therapy. Tip: If you have a window in your salt room, make sure it is closed during the salt session. It can be opened between sessions for ventilation.

Ventilation and Air Conditioning for medium to large trafficked rooms

Do not overlook the importance of keeping your room at a comfortable temperature and well ventilated.

Having a large number of people in the salt room will create extra body heat, different smells, along with carbon dioxide build up that can cause a “stuffy” feeling in the air. Also, you will have people with contagious illnesses that you do not want to pass on to other clientele.

You will need a separate in-vent to push fresh air into the room and remove the carbon dioxide and odours from the room. NOTE: Do not recirculate the removed air back through air conditioning or the building ventilation – it will cause rust and damage. Also you are recirculating salty (potentially contagious) air back into the rest of the building.

The size of your salt room will determine the size of the inlet fan and exhaust vent required. Inline motors used for ventilation come in many sizes and can fit into smaller roof spaces. If you don’t have a roof space or ceiling space, you may need to create a small bulkhead in the room to move the air out. Check the cubic meterage of the exhaust fan, and what the right size for you space will be.

Tip: Consider fitting two smaller inlet fans rather than one big one. Spread them through the room to clear the air faster.

Windows can used for both ventilation and fresh air. Be sure to close any windows during the salt session. (Note, you may still need an inlet fan to thoroughly clear the salt air from the room). Inlet/Exhaust fans are generally inexpensive and simple to install. Seek information online or consult a local ventilation specialist.

Fresh air also needs to come into your salt room in some way, have either an in-vent to bring in some fresh air regularly or passive airflow into your premises.

If you have ducted air conditioning in the room, ensure it has an isolation switch, so you can turn the AC off in the salt room while the treatment is in progress, and then turn it on again between sessions to heat or cool the room between client sessions.

Exception – if you live in a hot and humid climate you will need to have air conditioning in the room for client comfort and to keep the salt dry (to help it remain airborne). In room Reverse cycle air-conditioning works best, install unit high on the wall and have air vent pointed to skim across the ceiling to circulate instead of down into the room.

Remember, salt is hygroscopic (it absorbs moisture). If you have a humid room the salt therapy will not be as effective. In this case you are best to have ducted air conditioning where you can leave the cool setting on and keep the room at an even temperature.

I recommend that air vents are not placed near the Halogenerator and remain on very low during salt therapy or run periodically during a salt therapy session.

To heat up the room in cooler months use a ceramic, oil or infrared heater. The outside strip heaters (in far red) are a good option as they are enclosed and salt cannot get into them to corrode them. Do not use heaters with open elements, flames or fans.

Decoration and Design of a converted room

Now for the fun part! The finishing touch to your salt room is decoration and design. Once you have the above items ticked off, it’s time to get creative!
The way you decorate and design your salt room can have a big impact on your client’s experience – you’ll want them to feel relaxed, calm and comfortable.

Tip: You may want to start with the end in mind, what do you want your salt room to look like? Now you know what you need in your salt room, decoration will come down to budget and what you can build in the location you have.

Let’s start with options for the walls:

Salt bricks – Himalayan salt bricks are easy to source and look sensational backlit. Even one feature wall of these in your room will look lovely.

The number of blocks you need and the price will depend on the size of your room/wall. Glue or a dry mortar mix is used to hold the bricks together.

Himalayan salt bricks weight between 1.5kg to 7kg each, make sure you have the right structure to support the weight of a full or partial wall. Unstable salt bricks can cause injury to your clients if they fall, especially to children.

The number of bricks you need and the price will depend on the size of your room/wall.

Tip: Salt bricks are also known as salt slabs for cooking.

Salt panels – these are ready made panels that you can fix to the wall to create a rough look. They are available in a variety of colours and sizes.

Plain walls – this is the simplest and the cheapest option. Simply choose your paint colour and away you go. Be sure to use a low toxic paint.

Wave panelled walls – These are MDF panles that are simply glued to an existing wall, sanded and painted any colour.

Salt grain walls – you can use a mix of coarse salt granules and non-toxic glue to stick salt all over the walls to create a salty vibe.

Tip – Sound travels through the walls into the salt room. This can be a distraction for those relaxing and may affect the ambience that you are wanting to create. When building your walls, consider getting insulation or using sound absorbers in noisier areas to help deaden noise transference.

Floor options – You can use white food salt or himalayan salt granules. They are all safe and can be cleaned relativelky easily.

You don’t have to have salt if you don’t want to. If you do decide to go with the salt floor, you will need shoe covers to put over feet and keep the salt clean.

Tip: Choose very fine to small granules (2-5mm) of salt – otherwise it will hurt to walk on!

Seating – Comfort is paramount! (Remember many clients feel so relaxed they fall asleep during a session!) Popular seating options include slimline massage chairs, bench seating and reclining chairs. Don’t forget footstools for even more comfort.

Tip: Favour easy-to-clean fabrics and light colours – salt shows up on dark colours. And minimise the amount of metal on your seating to avoid rusting.

Extra touches – Consider what little extras will add to the relaxing environment of your salt room. Cushions, reading lamps and salt lamps are all great options.

Tip: remember everything in the room will get covered with a dusty layer of salt and require regular cleaning.

Advantages: Can charge per seat, multiple users, multiple sessions, salt meditation, salt yoga, more professional looking with an artistic flare, adult dedicated room, child dedicated room, higher revenues, low running costs.

Disadvantages: Higher start up costs, higher marketing expenses, commercial lease considerations, more cleaning and maintenance.

Revenue potential ideas:

• $30-$45 per 45 minutes per person (Up to 10 people in one room)
• Weekly/Monthly memberships
• Prepaid sessions
• Group yoga salt therapy sessions
• Group hypnotherapy salt therapy
• Salt massages $120 – $150 per hour
• Packages with other services.

Bonus tips and considerations for converted rooms.

Power points – Salt is corrosive and may damage your power points. If you are building a new room, consider installing outside power points. For an existing room, place plastic child safety protectors into any unused outlets to prevent salt getting into the holes.

Locker Area – Invite clients to leave bags and personal belonging outside of the salt room in a designated locker. It is best to keep your salt room as sterile as possible – both shoes and bags carry a lot of dirt and germs. Shoe covers can easily be purchased on ebay, or ask clients to wear clean socks.

Contagious clients – For the health and comfort of all clients, you must accommodate contagious clients away from other clients.

Tip: If you are building a new business it is a great idea to have a minimum of 2 rooms so if any one comes in with a cold or flu they will not infect other clients.

Quick-start guide to converting a room into a salt room.

Is the room fully enclosed? If not you may need to add a dividing wall or do some kind of construction.

Calculate the size of the room to determine the Halogenerator size and the ventilation motor size requirements.

Ascertain the best place to mount the Halogenerator. A Halogenerator is generally mounted outside the room with a hole through the wall. You will need easy access for cleaning, maintenance and replacing salt.

Decide where you can install ventilation to outside the room. Contact a specialist if required. Do you need air conditioning?

Get creative with your design and inclusions.

Salt walls, salt floors, chairs, tables, lighting.

An estimated cost for converting an enclosed room into a salt room with plain painted walls, install ventilation and no additional building costs with chairs and side table is approx. $10,000 – $20,000.

Recommendation: If you require advice or a consultation please click HERE or call Steven on 0427 878 378.

Starting a new salt therapy business

There is a LOT more involved when starting a new business.

Key considerations when starting a new salt therapy business:

• How many rooms do you want?
• How big do you want the rooms?
• Do you prefer to offer private or group experiences?
• What is your policy for contagious clients? (2 rooms)
• Will you offer other therapies / services? (eg; massage, naturopath, yoga, etc)
• Do you want to sell products? What type of products? If so you may need storage.
• What design and decoration do you like? Is there room for the chairs you want to purchase?
• Is there room to build a salt wall or can you only have plain walls?

Ideas are limitless when you start your own salt room from scratch.

You will need to have some idea of what you want to create when looking for premises if you don’t already have one. Renting or purchasing a suitable property is one of the largest expenses for your business. It will also determine what you will need to do and what the costing will be to build a salt room.

Extra essential considerations when looking for appropriate premises.

• Access – is it easy / flat? Does the premises have wheelchair / pram access?
• Does it currently have air conditioning? If yes, does it need to be adjusted or upgraded?
• Ease of ventilation installation?
• Does it have separate rooms? If no, do you need to build dividing walls?
• How many rooms do you want? How many does the premises currently have?
• Assess the noise transfer between the rooms – is soundproofing required?
• Where will you locate a reception area / lockers/ storeroom?
• Are bathroom facilities currently on the premises? (on-site bathroom is essential!)
• Adequate parking for you and your clients.
• Is the premises near other therapist? Doctors, gyms, naturopath, etc
• Be familiar with local laws and regulations relevant to opening a salt therapy room.
• Consult with your accountant or local business advisor to help you with any other associated costs with starting a new business. (Government websites can also help with the regulations you will need to adhere to).

Until you have your premises, it will be difficult to get a fixed budget on what it will cost you to set up. However having all this information before hand will help you find something that may not require as much building work for example.

Once you have your premises then you can determine the construction and installation costs for your salt room. Design the layout of your new salt therapy business with the ease of flow and operation in mind. Remember, you only require 1 person to run and operate the salt room.

Insurance and compliance

This will vary from country to country and you will need to check your local governing laws to ensure you meet any health regulations and requirements.

For businesses within Australia, you will require normal business and public liability insurance. I also recommend medical malpractice insurance (also known as professional indemnity insurance). This covers you for any injury to the body that may be incurred from your service or from any advice you give (either written or verbal).

Be mindful that you are affecting the way people breathe and it is therefore vital to understand exactly how salt therapy works.

Need more support to get started?

I offer a personalised 1-2-1 consultancy to help you set-up your salt therapy business!

1-2-1 consultancy could be used to help with:

. Accurate costing for converting or opening a salt room
. Getting started with building your room
. Electrical and building requirements
. Identifying what trades you need
. Designing your space
. Double checking everything to make sure you have what you need
. Business processes and procedures.
. Salt therapy training
. Anything at all you need to help you with your salt therapy business!

Consultancy can be used as much or as little as you like! For further details about 1-2-1 consulting contact Steven on 0427 878 378.

You can also download the FREE ebook here:

1/ Getting Started in Salt Therapy. The essential guide FREE

or purchase a more in depth training and a one-on-one mentor session:

2/ Updated “Psychology of a Salt Therapist” Available Now

Also included in the “Psychology of a Salt Therapist” is a one-on-one consultation with Penny Patterson a Salt Therapy business owner who will teach you about how to run your business and make it profitable.

Marketing Support

Marketing cannot be underestimated as it is actually HALF of your business. You can have the most beautiful salt room in Australia, but if people do not know about it, you don’t have a business.

SPECIAL OFFER

For all salt therapy technology purchased from us over the total value of $5,000 in a single order, you will receive a FREE marketing pack that will teach you how to set up the Online Marketing for your Geographic Service Based Business. Valued at $1,250.

We guide you how to set up for your: Google Adwords account and Keywords, Facebook Advertising account and how to advertise, SEO guidelines on your website and Google My Business registration. You take over the reigns from there.

If you have further questions please Click Here

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