A 32-year-old entrepreneur in Shenzhen, China, has turned gentle back-scratching into a highly profitable enterprise, generating over 100,000 yuan (approximately 4 million PKR) per month across two specialized service branches.
Zhang Xiaoqiao founded “Suma,” a dedicated relaxation service where clients pay roughly 300 yuan (USD $40) for a one-hour session. Staff members wear custom-designed artificial nails to gently scratch customers lying on therapeutic beds. According to Zhang, the service is designed to alleviate urban stress, promote physical relaxation, and improve sleep quality for overworked city residents.
Zhang conceptualized the business model after viewing a viral social media video depicting a woman scratching her husband’s back, accompanied by online comments from users expressing a willingness to pay for similar services. Currently, around 70 percent of Suma’s clientele are men. Buoyed by steady demand, Zhang plans to expand the operation across China with a goal of opening 100 locations nationwide.
