How To Start Your Forest Bathing Business 

“Can I make a living from running a Forest Bathing business?”

“How much do Forest Bathing Guides earn?”

Understandably, these are two very common questions when I speak to people about training as a Forest Bathing Guide or Practitioner. It is often easy to be convinced of the health and wellbeing benefits of offering Forest Bathing sessions – but can you make a business out of it? 

In this blog, I explore some of the concerns about running a Forest Bathing Business and offer some tips to help you plan for success.

How Much Can You Earn From Forest Bathing?

Let’s talk about money! If you have or had a very well paid job then the income from being a Forest Bathing Guide is unlikely to match a full-time equivalent salary in a corporate role, for example. 

This is not a get-rich-quick scheme. However, I am happy to share with you that pricing my sessions at around £45 per person has given me a steady stream of new and returning customers, as well as a profit I feel comfortable with. 

In terms of what you can earn in total comes down to what you decide to offer as a Forest Bathing Guide. This will include how many sessions per year, how many people and also what types of services you will offer. For example, alongside traditional, group Forest Bathing sessions, you may decide to offer:

• Package deals
• Family events
• Day or weekend retreats
• Gift vouchers and gifting of sessions
• Local tourism opportunities 
• Corporate offerings, such as well-being session or team building events

Offering a variety like this can help to increase your revenue if this is a priority.

Time and Money 

Whilst I can’t guarantee a six figure salary, from the experience of people I have trained, many have been able to build a sustainable revenue stream, which accounts to a healthy part-time income. Most importantly for many of my trainees, a Forest Bathing business allows them to earn a bit of money – enough to support themselves – but with the added benefit of having more time. 

Time for studies, hobbies, family responsibilities and, perhaps, even another small business venture or part-time job. A Forest Bathing business slots alongside a variety of opportunities very nicely.

I’m eternally grateful that I was able to volunteer at my son’s primary school and attend most of his school performances. So, if you value flexibility and time for others, this is what a “successful” Forest Bathing Business can look like. 

Purpose and Profit

One last point on ‘money’ and ‘finances’ is that you need to work out what is most important to you. If having a business rooted in nature and adopting more joyful living for you and future generations truly resonates, then this is what Forest Bathing can provide. 

You can build a profitable business (when you look at the bottom line), but you will also get:

• A lot of time outdoors – for each event you will be outside for 4-5 hours
• The chance to be a positive force in the lives of others 
• A chance to look after yourself and to prioritise your own needs
• A job that brings you joy and flexibility
• A role that will look after your well-being, not negatively affect it

Have you worked in teaching, healthcare or social care and felt tired, overwhelmed or even burned out? Read more here about why Forest Bathing could be the perfect business for you because of your transferable skills.

What are the Key Things to Think About Before Setting Up a Forest Bathing Business? 

Self-employment Considerations

I think the above list is incredibly important when considering what type of future career and business model you want. However, it would be wrong of me not to draw out some key considerations I encourage all of my trainees to think about. 

Being self-employed can be challenging – there is no paid leave, holidays or mandatory pension. 

You are also responsible for your tax and National Insurance payments too. 

There is nobody to help out when you are busy or poorly.

Plus, your income may be more variable month on month. 

Legal and Regulatory Requirements 

When starting a Forest Bathing business, there are a range of legal elements we have to comply with…that can seem daunting. Don’t worry as these are all things a good Forest Bathing Guide Training Course (like mine!) will help you to understand. However, it is important to be aware of the types of things you will be required to do, such as:

• Registering your business and completing a self-assessment or other types of accounting/tax submissions, depending on your income streams (and potentially outsourcing to a bookkeeper or accountant).
• Ensuring you have the right insurances in places, as well as any permits, licences and land use agreements for the locations you are working in.
• Complying with Health and Safety regulations, particularly those regarding outdoor activities and doing the required risk assessments, as well as any H&S reporting should an incident occur.
• Understanding any extra training, safeguarding and legal requirements should you choose to include working with children (anyone under 18).
• Setting up good data protection practices, particularly as you will be taking personal information and payments.
• Offer clear terms and conditions (which you completely understand!), especially in relation to refunds, cancellations, postponements, etc. We all know what the British weather can be like!

What Do I Need When I Start a Forest Bathing Business?

5 Business Must-Haves

I am really proud of three elements of my Forest Bathing Training. The first is that it is accredited by the CMA, giving my trainees confidence in the quality of the course and its content. The second is that it qualifies you as a certified Forest Bathing Therapy Guide, able to lead others on wellbeing walks. And finally, it offers comprehensive support on the practical elements of running a business.

Through the development of the training courses and also sharing my own highs and lows of running a business, I can share my wealth of knowledge. So, here are the 5 top things you will need:

1 – A Business Plan

I highly recommend to all of my Forest Bathing Guide Trainees that they put together a basic business plan that collates all of their ideas and the research they have done. This would include areas such as target audience, business model and competitor analysis, as well as operations and logistics, including potential locations, permit needed, risk assessments, booking systems and other financial information. 

2 – Legal, Ethical and Insurance Requirements 

I have mentioned this above, but it’s an important reminder not to shy away from understanding exactly what you will need to run a business legally and ethically. It will protect your clients, as well as you.

3 – Marketing Materials

 You will need to work hard to advertise your business, your sessions and all of your offerings. This may mean investing money in a website, as well as time and energy (and potentially external support) into marketing activities, such as posting on social media, going on local radio or being interviewed on a podcast, creating print materials and exhibiting.

4 – Pricing and Sales strategy

I mentioned above about pricing and profit. You need to spend time considering how you will price your sessions, how you will convert people to actually buy from you and how many sales you need to make the money you require.

5 – A Clear Mission…and loads of determination 

Know exactly what you want from your business and why. This mission will give you the determination to keep going when things are challenging. Read more about how to certify here. 

Can You Help Me to Start a Successful Forest Bathing Business?

Securing your Business Basics – a Strong Foundation on Which to Grow

If you have not done it before, running your own business can seem daunting. There is a lot to learn, but the combination of transferable skills from your previous and current roles, as well as a deep down passion for Forest Bathing, its value to the natural world and its benefits to others, holds many in good stead to run a successful business.

Importantly, remember that ‘success’ can mean different things to different people – it’s not all about the money. 

Finally, you can feel confident that when you train with Adore Your Outdoors, I offer all of the business basics you will need to get you set up and running your own business, as soon as you are certified. Furthermore, fellow Forest Bathing Guides, as well as myself are here to support and encourage you too, after your training is complete.

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