How to Start a Horticultural Therapy

Start a horticultural therapy by following these 10 steps:

1. Plan your Horticultural Therapy
2. Form your Horticultural Therapy into a Legal Entity
3. Register your Horticultural Therapy for Taxes
4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
5. Set up Accounting for your Horticultural Therapy
6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Horticultural Therapy
7. Get Horticultural Therapy Insurance
8. Define your Horticultural Therapy Brand
9. Create your Horticultural Therapy Website
10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your horticultural therapy . These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

• What will you name your business?
• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?
• How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is very important. Read our detailed guide on how to name your business. We recommend checking if the business name you choose is available as a web domain and securing it early so no one else can take it.

What are the costs involved in opening a horticultural therapy ?

A horticulture degree is the first investment you will make in achieving your business goals. The average cost for this two-year program is $51,000. Once you have completed your coursework and internship, you can begin to start investing in your business’s future. When first launching your business, it may not be necessary to lease a dedicated space. You will need to sharpen your skills, pool all potential resources, market within the medical community, and seek funding for research and development. As your business progresses, you may find it necessary to invest in an office and community space in order to further your work.

What are the ongoing expenses for a horticultural therapy ?

Horticulture therapists are responsible for procuring all plants and materials used during therapy sessions. The materials’ average cost for each therapy session ranges from $17 to $25 per person. Therapists are encouraged to approach local plant nurseries for donations. In addition to the standard overhead expenses associated with managing a business, entrepreneurs in this field will need to budget for liability and health insurance, continuing education, and payroll-related expenses.

Who is the target market?

Horticulture therapists are licensed to work in a variety of healthcare and/or social service settings. It’s important for you to carefully consider the impact you wish to make within the community before developing your marketing strategy. Target markets include everything from mental health, corrections, special education, and foster care programs.

How does a horticultural therapy make money?

As a horticulture therapy business owner, you can expect to generate revenue through each therapy program you develop and each session you and your team participate in.

How much can you charge customers?

As an independent horticulture therapist business, you will be paid on a contractual basis, earning upwards of $85,000 annually per contract. The specifics of fees collected will be mapped out in a signed contract and will match the scope of services you are contractually obligated to provide.

How much profit can a horticultural therapy make?

If your horticulture therapy business signs two contracts at $84,000, this will generate a gross annual income of $168,000. If you are able to lead both programs with the help of volunteers and donations, you stand to net over $100,000 annually.

How can you make your business more profitable?

As your business begins to build a reputation within the community, new opportunities will arise. Each potential business opportunity should be carefully considered to ensure that you maximize your profits. If you take on a new contract that pays $58,000 annually but the cost to hire an additional therapist will set you back $54,000, it may not be in your best interest to take on this new client.

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your horticultural therapy is sued.

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

Is this Business Right For You?

Launching a horticulture therapy business is ideal for individuals looking to combine their passion for gardening with a desire to help others achieve their personal and professional goals. Therapists are often part of a highly skilled and trained medical team that includes physicians, occupational and physical therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, and even job coaches.

What happens during a typical day at a horticultural therapy ?

A horticulture therapist’s day is structured around the needs of the individual or group they are treating. They are responsible for educating staff and administrators regarding the basics of horticulture and its benefits. Collaboration with medical teams helps the horticulturist identify individual or group therapy needs in order to then design a therapy strategy that meets those needs. Working within their program’s budget constraints, they are tasked with developing long-term programs and locating affordable resources.

When not conducting therapy sessions, horticulture therapists work to find funding and additional resources for their programs, find and train volunteers, market their business, and educate others regarding the benefits of horticulture therapy.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful horticultural therapy ?

As part of the medical community, you will first need to procure a horticulture degree through an accredited college with a concentration in horticultural therapy. Aspiring therapists are also required to complete a 480-hour internship where they gain real-world clinical experience under the supervision of a Registered Horticultural Therapist (HTR).

Due to the nature of this business, successful horticulture therapists should also be patient and flexible. They must be able to communicate with people from various backgrounds and possess the ability to communicate the benefits of the niche human service they provide.

What is the growth potential for a horticultural therapy ?

The benefits of horticulture therapy were first recognized by the ancient Egyptians. Plants reward their caregivers with flowers, fruits, new growth, and a deep sense of satisfaction. Innovative and driven entrepreneurs have an opportunity to realize significant growth, limited only by their own imagination.