How to know when you need to sub-contract???

[Artism]

Hi everyone!
I have been thinking lately about hiring a sub-contractor and I have no idea what to do or even if I should!! My situation is that I started my own practice 4 yrs ago and I have been doing quite well! I have a 4 yr old son and he really is my first priority, and I find myself haveing to really juggle work and family and I never really expected to get to the point of having to turn people away, but lately I have been crazy! My husband also owns his own buisness and I so a bit of work for that and I am going a bit NUTTY t119 That is why I am considering a sub contractor. Now my question is, how does it work, I mean people are being refered to ME, are they going to not want to see someone else? Now I do have a MT in mind that I would love to hire, she has been in the biz for over 12 yrs and she works at a spa, (where she really shouldn't be) and when asked why she isn't out on her own, she replyed that she really doesn't like the buisness aspect and likes to have a "pimp" : so to speak. Now, I love the buisness and marketing aspect so I have no prob doing that, but what kind of thing do you work out?? I think that is it for now, just in need of assistance. Thanks in advance!

 

[pretty woman]

I am sooo in the same place with you. I, too, have a life (read family) outside of massage that is my priority. The family gets very jealous of what they consider "their" time. As well they should be. They are the balance, the touchstone, to your business.

I took over a massage practice in June from someone that had built it up over the past 5 years. So the client base is built in. I'm making a name for myself there (country club) in that I do a different type of massage in addition to the regular stress relieving massage that she did. I tend more toward RMI and problem prevention.

What I do when a client is wanting my services I try and channel them into times that work for me. That means 5 days a week and done by 2:30. If they are needing after that or the weekend, I let them know that my schedule is full during those times but if it's okay I have an on-call therapist that is available. Then I coordinate with her.

My goal is to eventually get enough clients coming through the room (we are a one room operation) that I hire another therapist that I can charge a % rather than just rent.

My advice is that if your client load is starting to compromise the quality of your work/your body AND starting to take time away from your family, then it's time.

Think of it this way... just cause you aren't rubbing on someone doesn't mean you aren't working. Taking care of the books and marketing is work too.

 

[Pompal 09.]

How to know when you need to sub-contract???

I never really expected to get to the point of having to turn people away, but lately I have been crazy!

Congratulations on your success!! So are you turning people away because you can't get them in the same week or are you two or three or six weeks booked out? Are you still working out of your home?

Now my question is, how does it work, I mean people are being refered to ME, are they going to not want to see someone else?

I was talking with Kneadfulthings recently and she made a great point to hire/contract with another MT who is better than you are, because then your clients will be in very good hands and they won't feel remorseful of the days they used to see you. At some point you will have to get someone else to join your business, and are you going to have them come over to your house to do business? At the point of adding a therapist to your business, you will probably want find a business location outside of your home, and start treating your business like a business where people get referred to the business and if they want a particular therapist then they schedule the appointment 4 weeks out (or whatever the next availability is for that therapist) and put their name on the cancellation list, or they go to another therapist in the same business.

Now, I love the buisness and marketing aspect so I have no prob doing that, but what kind of thing do you work out?? I think that is it for now, just in need of assistance.

I think it is time to think about the direction of your business. You have been at it for four years and it is successful. You offer massage, spa stuff, and energy work!!! It's time to expect your business to keep growing! What kind of work do you really want to focus on? How/Where do you want your business to grow? It might be time to consider renting/buying space if you are going to grow with other therapists involved. Otherwise you are just referring the referrals you get to another therapist for a one time fee.

 

[Newrean]

All good questions and points akb!!
To answer your first question, I am booked about 3 weeks out, that is all I go into the future because I hate having people wait that long to get relief. So that is my personal policy.
As for the MT that I am looking at to hire, she is AMAZING, I would feel 100% confident that people would love her. And yes my buisness is in my home and I am looking into renting a studio that is right around the corner, it would be a studio, so we would split the time, but it is a great little place! I really need to start this now even thought I didn't think that I would do this for a few more years, but my husband and I are trying again for another baby and I want to be able to take some time off after the baby is born and not have to fell worried or guilty that my clients are anxiously awaiting my return!?? But another question is, what do you work out with shared space? If they are a sub contractor and you are doing the buisness and marketing end, what do you work out that they are still making good money, and that you are getting your part for everything??? I so have no idea how this all works. I also don't think that it would be a partnership due to the fact that I have been already building the biz for the last 4 years. Any info on the logistics?? Thanks again!

 

[mshatswell]

Sorry it took long to reply.

I'm sharing a space with 2 other therapists. Out of a country club. The deal that we worked out is that we split the rent BUT the other therapists were there before I was but they are strictly back up therapists. One sees her own clients out of the space and isn't taking on any new clients. The other one is a back up therapist for me and also sees her own clients out of there. We provide our own supplies (lotions etc.) and do our own laundry. I am responsible for rent (rents flow through me), and marketing and keeping the schedule.

The deal that I had with the therapist that I replaced (confusing I know) was that I gave her a perceneforum.xxxe of the clients that I saw, whether they were her clients or mine. But she was responsible for the rent and scheduling.

I plan on keeping the space that I'm in busy and as soon as the schedule gets busy enough (afternoon clients) I will be bringing in another therapist and charging them a perceneforum.xxxe but I retain the responsibility for the rent, scheduling, and marketing.

Depending on what the other therapist would provide (lotions, oils, room upkeep/cleaning) you would probably want to charge a lower/higher perceneforum.xxxe.