In partnership with
The real story: Patient experience starts before they ever walk in
With 26 years in healthcare, I know that patient experience begins long before anyone steps into your clinic. It starts online, when a potential client checks your Google reviews, scrolls through your website, or looks up your address to see what the neighborhood and building look like. The journey includes everything: curb appeal, parking ease, and even the feeling they get as they drive up.
Your site selection isn’t just about location. It’s about shaping every touchpoint that influences trust, comfort, and loyalty. The best wellness businesses think beyond square footage and lease terms. They consider the digital first impression, the neighborhood’s energy, and whether their building feels safe, modern, and welcoming before a patient ever opens the door.
If you want to attract and keep your ideal clients, start by curating the experience from Google search to parking lot to front desk.
Want to make smarter decisions before the day even starts?
Tired of missing the trades that actually move? In under five minutes, Elite Trade Club delivers the top stories, market-moving headlines, and stocks to watch before the open. Join 200K+ traders who start with a plan, not a scroll.
The Headlines Traders Need Before the Bell
Tired of missing the trades that actually move?
In under five minutes, Elite Trade Club delivers the top stories, market-moving headlines, and stocks to watch — before the open.
Join 200K+ traders who start with a plan, not a scroll.
What actually matters (and what doesn’t)
Demographics (age, income, health consciousness) still matter, but only if you dig deeper.
Don’t just chase high income. Look for neighborhoods with a concentration of your ideal age group and high “wellness consciousness.” Use tools like Global Wellness Institute’s research and local health data, not just census numbers.
The 3-mile radius rule: Useful, but not gospel.
In dense or congested markets, a 3-mile radius can mean 30 minutes in traffic. Map actual drive-times and look at where your best clients live, work, and shop.
Visibility vs. accessibility: Trade-offs by business type.
Med spas, IV, and retail wellness: Visibility (end-cap, main road) drives brand and walk-ins.
PT, therapy, and high-end clinics: Privacy, parking, and easy access may matter more than signage.
High-end clients may want a discreet entrance, not a walk of shame through a busy lot.
Co-tenancy: Who you want as neighbors.
Wellness hubs outperform standalone sites by 40% (ICSC research). Being near Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, or a premium fitness studio isn’t just status, it’s built-in traffic. Avoid direct competitors, but seek complementary businesses (healthy café, PT, mental health).
Parking requirements by wellness category.
Med spas & clinics: Higher turnover means more parking needed (check local codes).
Group fitness: Early morning/evening surges, don’t share with 24-hour gyms.
Don’t guess. Ask your city’s planning department for parking minimums by use type.
Zoning pitfalls.
Florida is notorious for confusing distinctions between medical, retail, and personal service. Double-check with local authorities; don’t rely on a landlord’s word. Some retail spaces prohibit medical use or require extra permits for certain treatments.
Build-out costs wellness providers underestimate.
Standard retail: $100–$200/sq ft.
Healthcare/wellness: $350–$800/sq ft (Maxx Builders).
Factor in HVAC, plumbing, soundproofing, privacy upgrades. Always get a GC/architect to walk the space before you sign.
Sponsored: The Hustle
Looking for the edge that separates the AI-literate from the rest?
Some people use Claude to write emails. Others use it to basically run their entire business while they play Wordle. This isn't just ChatGPT's cooler cousin. It's the AI that's quietly revolutionizing how smart people work, writing entire business plans, planning marketing campaigns, and basically becoming the intern you never have to pay.
The Hustle's new guide shows you exactly how the AI-literate are leaving everyone else behind. Subscribe for instant access.
The Hustle: Claude Hacks For Marketers
Some people use Claude to write emails. Others use it to basically run their entire business while they play Wordle.
This isn't just ChatGPT's cooler cousin. It's the AI that's quietly revolutionizing how smart people work – writing entire business plans, planning marketing campaigns, and basically becoming the intern you never have to pay.
The Hustle's new guide shows you exactly how the AI-literate are leaving everyone else behind. Subscribe for instant access.
How to Pick the Perfect Location
Profile your ideal client by age, psychographics, and wellness spend
Map drive-times, not just radii
Fight for the right neighbors and exclusivity clauses
Review compliance and regulatory requirements
Budget for specialized build-outs
Always get legal review before signing
The bottom line
Site selection is strategy, not just geography. The right location will set you up for years of growth and patient loyalty. The wrong one will drain your cash flow and limit your impact. Don’t settle for “good enough.”
Let’s talk about your next location
Choosing the right site isn’t just about finding an available space. It’s about creating a patient experience that starts before they walk in your doors, extends all the way to your parking lot, and considers their entire wellness journey. If you want your next location to drive growth, boost loyalty, and set your brand apart, you need a strategy that goes beyond square footage and traffic counts.
That’s why I offer complimentary site selection consultations for health and wellness businesses ready to open or expand. We’ll look at neighborhood vibe, co-tenancy, parking, zoning, and the true costs of build-out so you can make confident decisions and avoid expensive mistakes.
Whether you’re a med spa, PT clinic, chiropractor, functional medicine practice, or franchise buyer, I’ll help you:
Identify locations that align with your ideal client profile and brand goals
Assess physical first impressions before you sign anything
Understand your build-out costs and regulatory hurdles up front
Negotiate terms that protect your cash flow and set you up for long-term success
Let’s make your next property a growth engine, not a headache.
The Next Gen Dev - Wellness Edition is your weekly briefing on the strategies and frameworks that separate wellness businesses building the future from those stuck in the past.
Know a wellness provider who’s looking for space or stuck in a bad lease? Forward this email.
