Subletting Success: Your Complete Guide to Sharing Wellness Practice Space
Jan 20, 2026The room sits empty three days a week. You're paying full rent but only using half the space. Or maybe you're ready to expand your practice but not quite ready for the commitment of hiring employees. Subletting seems like the obvious solution—extra income, shared overhead, potential for collaboration. But then the questions start flooding in: What do I charge? How do I find the right person? What happens if it doesn't work out?
In this episode from Kendall's "What the Wellness Center?!" series, recorded four years ago but still highly relevant today, Kendall walks through the essential steps for successfully subletting space in your wellness practice. Drawing from her experience at Vancouver Wellness Studio, where she's navigated various space-sharing arrangements over the years, she provides practical guidance that can save you from costly mistakes.
The conversation begins with what Kendall calls "the very first thing"—understanding your lease agreement. As she emphasizes, "You understand what your lease says about subletting. Some leases do not allow it at all. Some require landlord approval. Some have specific terms." This crucial step is where many practitioners create legal problems before they even begin. The assumption that you can do whatever you want with space you're paying for can lead to serious complications with landlords and potentially jeopardize your entire lease.
Beyond the legal foundation, Kendall addresses the financial structure of subletting arrangements. The key question most practitioners ask: "What should I charge?" Kendall's approach is straightforward—calculate what the space actually costs you (rent plus utilities and other overhead), then determine what profit margin makes sense. She notes that many practitioners undercharge, essentially subsidizing someone else's business without realizing it.
Insurance emerges as another critical consideration that practitioners often overlook. As Kendall explains, you need to verify that subletters carry their own liability insurance and understand how their presence in your space affects your own coverage. These aren't just administrative details—they're protections that matter when something goes wrong.
The conversation also addresses the more nuanced aspects of subletting: finding the right practitioners, maintaining your practice culture, and creating agreements that protect everyone involved. Kendall emphasizes cultural fit: "You want to make sure that whoever is coming into your space aligns with your values and your vision for your practice." A great acupuncturist or massage therapist who doesn't share your approach to client care can create friction that undermines the benefits of subletting.
Kendall also discusses the difference between subletting and other space-sharing arrangements, helping practitioners understand which model best serves their goals. Are you looking for passive income from unused space? Or are you hoping to build toward a collaborative practice? The structure you choose should align with your vision.
One of the most valuable aspects of this episode is Kendall's candidness about what works and what doesn't. She shares insights from her own experiences, both successful arrangements and those that required adjustment. This real-world perspective helps practitioners avoid common pitfalls while setting realistic expectations.
The episode concludes with encouragement for practitioners considering this step. Subletting, when done thoughtfully, can provide financial benefits while creating opportunities for collaboration and community. But success requires doing the groundwork first—understanding your lease, structuring fair agreements, finding aligned practitioners, and protecting yourself legally and financially.
Whether you're just starting to consider subletting or looking to improve current arrangements, this episode provides the foundational knowledge you need to make informed decisions about sharing your wellness practice space.
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About Anna Rudel
Anna Rudel, L. Ac is the owner and founder of Lokahi Acupuncture Clinic in San Jose California, founded in 2003. Anna is a master organizer and clinician, and as a Coach she specializes in working with Clinic Owners in the state of California, and Acupuncturists and Acupuncture Clinic Owners, or groups wanting to add Acupuncture worldwide, as well as teams that need support with employee retention and satisfaction. Born in the UK, Anna has traveled extensively in Asia and now has a thriving multi-practitioner clinic in the US!
Anna's Website and Links
- Website: https://lokahiacupuncture.com/
- Learn Group Coaching: https://www.wellnesscentercreators.com/group-coaching
- For info about Individual Coaching: https://www.wellnesscentercreators.com/individual-coaching
About Kendall Hagensen
Kendall is a Somatic Mental Health Therapist, Multidisciplinary Clinic Owner and Business Coach. She specializes in, and is passionate about, working with healthcare professionals to create the businesses of their dreams. Big goals always have a psychological component beneath the surface, so Kendall uses her background in Somatic Psychotherapy and EMDR Therapy mixed with Business Coaching tools to help clients develop a healthy relationship with their business and their strength as a leader.
As someone who lives with a chronic illness herself, Kendall feels that health happens best within community, which is why she takes a holistic, integrative, and collaborative wellness approach to her personal and professional life.
Kendall’s Web/Social Links