Even a terrible spa with few clients makes rent in the 1st week. Rent is $5-10k, and they make it in room fees alone in less than 10 days. There is no need for full rooms. 25 clients doing only a half hour makes $10,000.
TL;DR
Income: $36,000/month
Minus:
Lease: $3,558/month
Utilities: $3,000/month
Water: $1,000/month
Internet: $120/month
Minimum wages: $10,800/month
Total costs: $18,478/month
Income - Costs = $17,522 Best Case Scenario
What cheap hash are you smoking pal?
I will use Rosewater as an example, because it is pretty mainstream and popular. At $50 for 30 minutes, the gross is $1,200 for 24 clients. Three attendants could service 24 clients in an 8 hours, so let's use that as our baseline.
So if they do 25 clients per day for 30 days they hit a grand total of $36,000.
Comparables in the area list at $35/sqft. Estimate 1,200 sqft puts us at $42,700/year for lease.
Epcor says the average small business uses $3,000 in electricity and natural gas per month.
Internet let's guess is $120/month
Water/sewage/waste is a third of my bill so I will guess $1,000 per month
We will say you have four girls working at minimum wage for eight hours per day, 3x8=24 work hours x $15= $360 in wages per day or $10,800.
Minus total costs from total income and we arrive at a gross income of $17,522. This is assuming 30 minute massage and 30 min to clean the room/ bill clients/ get the next client in and on the table, and also assume zero downtime throughout the day. Obviously we all know there are times when no one is at the studios or they have slow days, so this would be the absolute peak scenario. This also doesn't factor in building maintenance, start up inventory, complimentary drinks. someone has to wash and dry all the textiles, replacing towels/bedsheets/cloths, the cost of the massage oil... the list of expenses goes on and on.
Closing remarks: Yes, they can make rent in their first week, but not with few clients. They need clients lined up ready to go for the owner to make an above average salary. Thus, I think you and your bullshit statements are crackpot shit and you should go back to Toronto.
Last thought: Yes, I understand these businesses are sleazy and the girls work more than 8 hours and I am sure don't get an OT or paid vacation or stuff like that, and I am sure the owner takes a portion of tips. I am just estimating based on legitimate and legal numbers and assumptions. Anyone, if something is wrong, please correct me. Disclaimer: I am NOT a financial advisor. Do not buy a massage studio based on the bullshit I am spouting.