help chair massage interview at Corporation

[Fka xWarlordx]

I just got called to possibly come to work at a major Corp in my area doing chair massage. That is good considering my chair has done nothing but gather dust since I bought it. It seems to be really hard on me to give one. Maybe I am doing something wrong, haven't really done much of this since I am more comfortable with table sessions.

When I was talking to the guy about it, he said the deal is I get $1/min for each session, all payable to me, and then I pay them $30 month for the room. It is for two days a week for 3 hours each day. They do all my PR at the company to get clients. I supply the chair and any oils (?), etc.

My question is, when would you use ANY lubricant during a chair massage? I have never seen any used in any videos I have watched. Any advice??? Is this a good offer or pretty basic in the field??

Thanks in advance for your help as always. Just LOVE you guys (and gals!)

 

[HighHelper]

I've only used lubricant in a chair massage when I'm massaging the arms or hands. It's only happened a couple of times, but it's something nice to offer people!
Good luck with the job!

 

[Amp40]

I have two chair massage jobs (both every other week). They do all the booking and the individual pays. Both jobs are 3 hours each time and I don't pay rent to use the room.


Few questions I would have:

How is paying you? Are they (the company) or the ind.?
There was a company around my area that was charging the clients $5 more per massage and would keep the money for themselves. The therapist provided everything and they did it behind her back.

I don't like the rent idea - I have never had to pay rent for doing chair massage. If they are really going to charge the clients the same they pay you then I don't think $30 a month is too steep - again I have never heard of paying rent in this type of setting so it seems odd to me.

The person you talked to may not know much about chair. The only time I have used lubricant during a chair massage was to work the forearms. Other than that I don't use lubricant.

Hope that helps.

 

[Unpalalgarp]

CosmicTouch, I have been trying to figure out the math for this (not my strong suit, but...) Let's estimate that you can do 3 15 minute massages per hour (leaving you a few minutes in between to clean the chair, change the cover, etc.) At $1 per minute, that would be $45 in an hour, times 3 is $130 per day (right?). Times two days is $260. Times 4 weeks is just over $1000. So $30 rent sounds pretty reasonable, ASSUMING (and that's a big assumption) that you'll be booked steady. What if the company's PR only results in a couple of people signing up per day? Once you get "regulars," you probably won't have a problem filling up your schedule if it's a big enough company, but remember that people are busy during their workday, and it may be harder than you think to get people to commit initally. It's great that the company is going to give you PR, but I wouldn't rely totally on that. You have to figure out ways to market yourself within the company.

On the other part of your post, I would say, review some good videos of chair massage, and pay close attention to your body mechanics. The body mechanics for chair massage is somewhat different for chair massage, but that's why I believe that it's a good adjunct to table work-- it mixes things up a bit for us, and that's always good. Stay low to the ground, move your legs and lean from your core, not your arms. Use your forearms and maybe even incorporate some tools. (See the Wullstone thread in the Tools of the Trade thread...maybe they'll work for you, too, if you get really busy.)

Sorry for such a long post, but I think this sounds like a great opportunity for you if it works out like you plan. Good luck, and please let us know how it turns out!

 

[Annorofah]

Priced too low

I will continue to voice my fundamental opposition to pricing services of any kind at $1 per minute. Leave that to the phone sex purveyors of the world.

Chair massage should cost as much - IF NOT MORE - than your table massage rates.

The others are right, you can aspire to $45 an hour. So if you are their from 11 - 2pm, you can only take a table client at 9AM (how many of those exist?) and you would not be able to take a table client until at least 3. So you have to divide $45 per hour not by the 3 hours you are there, but the opportunity cost of the 5 - 6 hours you are blocking off to do this event.

 

[ILLMW]

chair massage oppty

I was also thinking that $30 per MONTH was not unreasonable, given it is a private room with a door.

As far as the comment from R&R:

"Chair massage should cost as much - IF NOT MORE - than your table massage rates."

I agree, but it is the fitness center that sets the price, not me, unfortunately.

I get the TOTAL fee from the clients. They pay me directly and I pay the fitness center the monthly $30 for the space.

I do need to check into who does the booking -- great point! As well as how much time they generally allot between appts. (Thinkin positive here that I will be busy! )

Since I am just starting out in this area and am a relatively NEW graduate. (Take my state test on the 31st!) It will provide some steady income while I build my own private clientele closer to home.

Thanks for all your suggestions. If anyone thinks of anyting else I should ask at the interview, please let me know as I have NEVER attempted this route or modality before! Thanks again!

 

[Agent: Yip]

If your new, it will be a great way to learn the ropes to figure out what you do and don't like about chair massage, that's for sure.

$30/month for the room isn't bad, but I have provided chair massage for 2 companies over the years, where both had a door on the room, and I was paid to be there, not the other way around. So, it is something to consider negotiating away.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Badajoz]

I have used creams and oils in a chair massage, just on the hands forearms, and occasionally the neck if i really need to work it good, or they are specifying that area as a problem!

Good luck on your state test!!

I think this will be a great way for you to start getting a clientelle built up!!
Do you have any other places you plan on working to do your table massages or just the chair massages set up for now?

Jennifer McColleyLMT

 

[SlsB]

chair oppty

Thanks all for the helpful information. I will keep everyone posted.

As far as other place I will be doing massage. Yes, I do have a few clients in my home town that I book for table sessions...been doing some direct mailing and have had some good results from it.

Once it starts returning some better results I will share some of my ideas here since everyone has been so helpful to me. I am still tweaking the documents at this time though, trying to find one that gives really good results. Like I said, it is going OK, but I KNOW it could do better. It has so far been my most cost effective marketing/advertising yet. woo hoo.... ha ha..

Thanks again!

 

[Hoadly]

Good for you.

Good Luck with your clients.

Jennifer McColleyLMT

 

[Rebekah B]

woo hoo

hmm tried to post this Friday, but still don't see it, so I apologize if it shows twice.

Just and update on the Corp oppty. I am IN! Pretty excited about it. Here are the details.

Mon and Weds from 10a -1pm
They do ALL my PR and advertising
clients book themselves online
Pay me directly
I furnish my supplies/equipment
I am allowed to market my private practice to the clients at any time

I pay $30 month for the room

So all in all, I think it is a good deal to gain some experience and get my name known.

I start tomorrow! woo hoo!

Thanks everyone for all your advice!

 

[Judy B]

Glad it worked out.

Have fun!

 

[adam/penny]

update and question

Well the Corp chair opportunity is going well. Having lots of fun and meeting all kinds of new people. Some are even asking me to bring my table up! ha ha.... I don't know about anyone else, but the LAST thing I'd want to do after a nice relaxing table session is go back to work! too funny! Will have to think on how to manage that in a Corp setting. The room is totally private so that is not a big deal.

I do have one question, is it normal practice to keep SOAP notes on the Chair sessions as one would a client recieving a regular table session? I am doing this, but when I asked the other therapists around me, they kinda looked at me like I was nuts! Well, maybe I am nuts, but that is beside the point! Any comments, opinions on SOAP for Chair?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Taylor]

I've never done SOAP notes with chair massage. Our school did have a very short intake form for chair clients, and in some contexts I use that, other contexts I do not bother. I DO make sure they have eaten in the last 3-4 hours, ask if they have low blood pressure or experience dizziness & prepare them to sit up slowly - no bouncing up off the chair.

 

[Julie]

help chair massage interview at Corporation

hey! this thread is very old, but if you are still around OP, I'd like to know how this situation worked out for you!
Did you stay with the company?
Make some money?
Turn those chair clients into table clients?

Just curious!

On a personal note, I never do chair massage unless I will be paid for doing x amount of massages, at x amount price. I always ask to have a small meeting with the employees of the facility, I like to explain massage and the benefits, (I will not be hunting people down in a corporation in between their office duties to entice them for a massage lol). I always prefer to work for a company that pays for massage as a benefit to their employees health, it definitely has opened some doors for me!

 

[SK_Serpent]

help chair massage interview at Corporation

I work at a private company's gym once a week...5 hours of company paid time. The slots are set up by the physical trainer on staff and I show up and do my thing. There is always a waiting list. Having said that, I do have occasional openings. If the trainer is unavailable, I do walk around to fill the spots.....usually it's the first person I ask. I could just not do that, I'd still get paid. But it's a kick to walk into the call center and hear people call out, "He's got an opening."

I once did an interview in front of an HR staff while one of their lucky members was in my chair. While I was giving the quick demo, I was also addressing the group on rates, sign up sheets, my protocol, etc. When I sat the person up, the rest of the staff saw the impact the massage had on their coworker...plus they had the the answers to any questions they had. I was back the next day for a paying job.