Business location dilemma

[Maya Issa]

Hi, everybody!!!!
I've been visiting this forum for a long time now. And it's bee a huge help.
But I never had a question I couldn't find an aswer her..until now.

So, here's the deal. I'm in process of branching out from the Salon and Spa I work at as IC. Many reasons for it but mainly I am into medical massage and not a "spa-relaxation-once-in-a-life-time-thing".
My question is how many of you have a store-front ??? Does it make a big difference in business?
Would a busy shopping plaza scare massage customers away etc?

Second option I'm looking into it's an office in medical building. Cheaper rent, less investment in remodeling or setting it up but exposure.....
My advertisement cost might eat up the difference.

I will greatly appreciate your feedback. Thank You.

 

[Prince]

I have a store-front. I originally was looking to be within an office building (like my original practice was - had some acts of God cause me to move from the original building I was in / wind/rain/flood), but I ended up with a store-front, because that was what was coming availiable in the building I wanted (it has both).

I prefer an internal space (less people try to just wander in), however, I must say the store front is nice because my clients are able to park and walk directly into the office. I end up keeping the doors locked most of the time to keep out wanderers, so the storef ront itself does not work for bringing in new clients.

I also keep minimal info listed, so pretty much the only people who walk into the office are the ones who should be there (or at least I hope). I don't take walk-ins.

Also, the store-front I am in is somewhat of a business building and not a retail shopping center. There is not an anchor tenant like Wal-Mart, Target or the like. It is a smaller property.

 

[www.crystalsmassage.com]

Thank You for reply Pueppi!!

Yeah, that what I was afraid of - storefront not bringing clients but just causing inconvinience.
Although I did come up with idea how to utilize walk-in opportunity (I wouldn't take walk-ins in general).
How about Open House Hours twice a week. Walk-in chair massage to get a quick fix in a middle of a work week or in between appts.

 

[i wish i was a baller. <3]

Thank You for reply Pueppi!!

Yeah, that what I was afraid of - storefront not bringing clients but just causing inconvinience.
Although I did come up with idea how to utilize walk-in opportunity (I wouldn't take walk-ins in general).
How about Open House Hours twice a week. Walk-in chair massage to get a quick fix in a middle of a work week or in between appts.

Before your schedule fills up, that is a good idea. I did this at the fitness club where I was an IC for quite awhile, and got some who were regular just for that, and got a few table clients that way. Just don't offer FREE chair massage - that leads to lots of freebie-hunters, who would NEVER *pay* for a massage. :roll:

 

[Jesse]

Yup, Rose of Sharon!
I learned this hard way. I have started out as IC in Fitness club as well and I was eager to make money ( I just had to pay the bills) - so I sold 1 hr massages for $25 for 1 month. I worked myself to death, attracted wrong clintele who demanded more discounts. It took me almost a year to work my way up to normal $60/hr. Needless to say 50% of "cheap" clients didn't stick around after that . Now I've moved from fitness club with the same salon and spa but...I don't like their business direction.

And if I do settle down in medical building I'm plannig to find doctors who would be willing to work with me with "no fault accidents".
Not sure if it's going to work...

 

[Leira]

hi and good luck! i am in an office park, not on the main drag, no store front and i love it. wouldnt have it any other way, especially because i'm here by myself most of the time. i've tried expensive advertisement and it DID NOT WORK. word-of mouth is your best bet and honestly, being inside of this office park has given me tons of credibility because of the particular people that i work with. i wouldn't change a thing.

good luck!
amanda

 

[folk]

Couples days later......
It looks like I don't even have a choice between storefront and med.building.
Today I was told the medical office buildings in my area are reserved for "medical proffesions only and want to keep up with this standards so massage business is not welcome there" Uuugh!!!!!!!
I'm sooo angry. And I was rather dismissed and not paid attention to by real estate broker as "no potencial' client.

 

[Kylie S]

I'm sorry, Tatyana. How naive. (not to mention rude!)

 

[Pompal 09.]

Thank you, Sharon!
I guess I have to pick myself up and continue surching. My biggest problem is I take this kind of attitude too personal. I'm originally from Europe. And I've been getting massages as medical treatments since I was 6. Not regurally but still... And out there doctors perform massages as well. I guess I have an issue with fitting in in general so disregard to what wI do gets me really bad.
Sorry for venting. But boy it helps!!!! :whew:

 

[Sincity Lin]

I think we all take it personally. It makes sense that you would, even more, since you've grown up with it being considered medical care. It IS health care!!! We all know that, but so few others seem to realize it.

You are right - pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and move on. There will be something better for you. It's their loss, not yours, in the long run.

 

[BlackLadybugXP]

Couples days later......
It looks like I don't even have a choice between storefront and med.building.
Today I was told the medical office buildings in my area are reserved for "medical proffesions only and want to keep up with this standards so massage business is not welcome there" Uuugh!!!!!!!
I'm sooo angry. And I was rather dismissed and not paid attention to by real estate broker as "no potencial' client.

Might you be able to rent a room from one of the docs in the building?

Also, there are more ways than one to skin a cat. If you really want to be in a medical building in "your area", why not try to get a few docs on your side (ask them to write a letter stating massage therapy is health care) and check into each and every building and with the building owners (not just with a realtor).

Just ideas. Probably even ideas you've already hashed out. But, in case you haven't, I've put them on the table for you.

 

[GemMouse]

Thanks for support!
It was actually owners policy not realtor. But he shared the attitude.
And I know If I look long enough I will find.
Will I go out fighting for the cause" Probably not. Not worth my time and energy.
But it'is a good idea to concetrate on people who believe in your profession than on those who make you feel like sh*** !
Chiropractor I treat thinking about building an office for me inside of his.
But I do value independency...
So will see. When the time is right I will find my perfect place.

 

[happygirl52409]

tatyana, one thing that i have noticed being really important when looking for space to rent is available parking. i think it's even more important than store front vs. office complex. people want to know that they'll have somewhere close to park and they won't have to worry about not finding a space or being late because their not sure where else to park.

my first suite was in an office building. great parking in an area that is know for not such great parking. business was great.

2nd suite is a "store front" type of situation. great parking too and business is still great (even better actually). funny thing is, i may have more visibility but sometimes i wish i didn't. unless you're going to have someone around to greet people strolling or stopping by, it can be more annoying than it is good. if you try to build your practice on referrals, you won't have to worry as much about advertising cost.

 

[maya s]

I delt with the same "medical building" issues when I was first looking. Now on my diploma it states "Medical Massage Professional Certification". HELLO!!! I work mainly on people with issues, and many of those are referrals from other Health care professionals.

The first building I looked at, turned their nose up at me... until I wrote a nice article for the local paper describing what I do vs. those other places... (mainly to stop the illigal issues in the area). The realtor called me a few days later, making some rediculous excuse. I told him, "sorry, not interested anymore".
The second place, was also worried about his zoning, but once we said we were LMT's and medically based he had no problem.

Now I am in a totally neutral zone, and very happy. My buiding is a converted house, very cozy, quiet, and no, I do not get, nor want street traffic. The big perk, is a private parking lot... which I over look from my desk to see my clients coming in.

 

[Miss MooNii]

I understand the importance of parking and availability of elevators if it's inside of any kind of building. I worked in place that was accessable only by stairs.
They lost all their elderly clientele soon as they moved there. And I had some complains about climbing the stairs when you hurt.

I don't want to be too self-conscience but I do have an accent and when I call and ask about "medical massage clinic space" it feels like they don't really hear "medical" but hear "not american'.
Or I could be just paranoid. Happens sometimes to me