How to Start a Reiki Business

Part 1 - How to start a Reiki business - Background

Reiki patients across the globe have achieved relief from medical conditions ranging from the common cold to cancer and leukemia. The practitioner transfers healing energy to the client by placing their hands near the prescribed position for several moments. While several sessions may be required, the patient walks away feeling relaxed, radiant, and more balanced.

You may also be interested in additional unique business ideas.

Our guide is in 3 parts:

• Part 1 - How to start a Reiki business - Background
• Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
• Part 3 - Action plan to get started

What are the costs involved in opening a reiki business?

Building a successful Reiki healing center takes time.  To save on overhead expenses, many start out practicing out of their homes. Should you decide to have a workspace outside of your home, research each area you’re considering to ensure you set up in a prime location.

Below is a list of basics you’ll need to get started:

• A workspace that is free of outside noises. Decorate the room with calm, soothing colors

• Reiki table: 80-$500

• Pillows, linens, and blankets: $100 per set

• Colored fabric for healing: $5-10 per square yard

• Music and a CD player

• Business management software—this program will assist you in managing every aspect of your business. There are a number of options out there to choose from. If you purchase the software outright, the cost is usually between $1,200 – $3,500. Hosted software will set you back $70-$135/month.

• An attorney and/or CPA to help ensure you have a solid business plan that’s carried out smoothly. If you plan on accepting medical insurance, seek advice from an experienced professional before getting started.

• Insurance—liability insurance will vary in cost, depending upon a number of factors.   

• Website – $1,500 – $5,000, depending upon how complicated of a website you desire. We recommend starting out with a basic site; you can always expand it later.

What are the ongoing expenses for a reiki business?

Since your primary tool is your hands, your overhead expenses will be fairly minimal. In addition to the standard business expenses, below are a few items you’ll want to budget for monthly:  

• Laundering of linens, etc

• Purchasing and ongoing maintenance of equipment

• Insurance

• Advertising and website maintenance

• Payroll expenses—you could reduce this expense by hiring practitioners on a 1099 basis

• Travel expenses and registration fees for conventions, continuing education, and speaking engagements

Who is the target market?

You’ll find that your customer base is a very diverse group of individuals. They all, however, have one thing in common—they’re seeking your assistance in healing their ailments. They believe, on some level, in the power of energy and are hopeful that this is a healthier alternative to Western medicine.

How does a reiki business make money?

Your organization will generate revenue through each patient treated. Sessions typically last from 45-90 minutes and are priced accordingly. Your business will collect all patient fees, passing on a portion of each payment to the practitioner who treated said patient.

How much can you charge customers?

Your fees depend upon the length of time for each session and your professional experience. Sessions last anywhere from 45 – 90 minutes, with fees typically starting at $50/hour.

A Reiki practitioner can charge between $25 and $100 per session, depending on location and experience.

How much profit can a reiki business make?

Reiki therapists report making an annual premium of between $39,000 and $73,000, depending upon their level of training, experience, and demand for Reiki in the area. As the business owner, you’ll collect client fees and disburse payments to each practitioner, based on the work done, setting aside a portion of that fee for the business itself. Therefore, each service you offer your clients increases the potential to elevate your profit.

How can you make your business more profitable?

The following are a few strategies other Reiki businesses have implemented to ensure a more profitable business:

• Include services such as massage therapy and acupuncture

• Become a Reiki coach  

• Become a Reiki instructor

• Host speaking engagements, both locally and nationally

• Open a Reiki school

• Approach a hospital and discuss opening a program there

• Host events where fees can be reduced or at no charge. While the business might lose money initially, the goal is to educate others on the benefits of Reiki and to help spread that work throughout the community. A few ideas are: create a healing service at your church, volunteer to do treatments at hospice centers, drug and alcohol treatment centers, hospitals, or with therapist.

• Offer to write for The Reiki News—again, this might not generate much profit initially, but it will help establish you as a leader in the Reiki community.

Day-to-Day and Growth

What happens during a typical day at a reiki business?

Your business’ success is dependent upon the balance of energy within yourself and how you’re able to transfer that energy to others. Therefore, when not seeing patients, most practitioners spend time working on themselves through:   

• Meditation

• Focus on alignment and spiritual intention

• Daily affirmation and prayer

• Demonstrations at public gatherings to share Reiki with others

Additionally, you’ll want to spend a substantial portion of each day working to cultivate your business.  There will be administrative duties to attend to and a marketing strategy to manage. Once you’ve achieved some of your outlined growth goals, it might be cost-effective to delegate these responsibilities to a trusted staff member, offering you more time to focus on your true passion—healing others.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful reiki business?

Given the work you do, it’s very easy to get caught up in the healing aspect, brushing off your business obligations. To realize long-term success, it’s important that entrepreneurs strike a balance between the two. If keen business sense isn’t your strong suit, consider taking a few classes at your local college to sharpen your skills.

Strong communication and listening skills are also critical. As the owner, it’s your job to pair each patient with the right practitioner. You’ll need to listen to the needs of the client, drawing much of your information from subtle comments by the client. Remember, clients are coming to your facility for help; many of them will be in pain. Everyone on your team must be caring and nurturing, eager to provide healing energy.

However, none of these skills will benefit the center if you don’t have the proper Reiki training. The International Center for Reiki Training can assist you in finding teachers in your area. Along with attunement, be sure you attend a training session that shows you how to give treatments and allows you the opportunity to practice your treatment before certification is complete.

What is the growth potential for a reiki business?

Your company’s growth potential is directly tied to saturation of the market, the needs of the area you serve, and the number of practitioners you’re able to hire. Innovative entrepreneurs in this field strengthen their business by offering a well-rounded practice that combines multiple types of therapy to meet all their client’s needs.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a reiki business?

The following are some insider tips from individuals who have found success in this growing industry:

• Volunteer at a local hospital, nursing home, or clinic.  The experience you’ll gain will prove invaluable.

• Keep in mind that your practice is centered around energy. Whether you have one client or fifty, keep a calendar for appointments and write down the times you’re available. This builds intention and energy around your Reiki practice.

• Never rush a session or treat only the symptom.

• Try to find someone with experience to apprentice with before opening your own practice.

• Practice Reiki on yourself regularly.

• Continue your Reiki education.

• Learn how to educate others on the benefits of Reiki. This transfers best through verbal communication. Find out what the common misconceptions are and be able to communicate with all types of audiences.

• Network within the community.

How and when to build a team

As previously mentioned, many Reiki business owners start out practicing from their own homes. As your client base starts to grow, you’ll want to move into a larger space and begin hiring additional Reiki practitioners for your team. If your vision entails building a more complete healing center, consider hiring practitioners who have studied alternate therapies. This will help build a name for your center, as patients will think of you for all their healing needs.  

Given the nature of your business, carefully consider each new team member. Thirty years of practice will mean nothing if they don’t have the personality to gel with your customers and staff.

Part 2 - Is a Reiki business the right fit for you?

Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Reiki business in 90 days