I need your help

[mahadi]

My gym has been purchased and is reorganizing to accommodate just women. Today I approached a manager about the possibility of including massage therapy to its members. She seemed receptive and said she would get back to me by the end of the week after speaking with others.

Well, I just received a call back from her saying that they are receptive to the idea, and that others also have approached them about salon services.

I was told that they are in the beginning phases of the conversion and will consider the possibilities of offering massage and other services while planning.

I was asked to put together a proposal for the above scenerio, and I would like your thoughts on how to do this and what to include. (I have an office in a nearby town where I work independently.) I would have to adjust my personal schedule and possibility have others working with me.

Sorry for the long post but I wanted you to have as much info as possible.

Thanks.

Donna

 

[Rockford]

Wow- what an opportunity! I have no "proposal" advice for you (my brains are spent trying to run our own family and business- but at least I got our taxes filed! YEAH!), but I wish you the best. Let us know what happens, willya? :grin:

 

[Star]

Thanks, Timedess - yes, I am excited. I am hesitant a bit because I don't know how I will adjust my private practice (which is pretty busy), in addition to what could well be another full time practice!

I have another MT in mind who I believe would jump at the chance to help out.

 

[dipshi_t]

What an opportunity! Would there be treatment rooms there? Or would they be sending ppl to you at your location?

 

[samer_refaey]

They will be building the room/rooms there. Right now they are trying to determine what they want to offer, so massage fits right in with a gym.

I get the feeling that they probably want me to rent a room, and that's not what I want to do initially, since I don't know how the idea will fly (it just may take some time). I pay rent at my private practice in the next town, and that may be an issue.

I would prefer to do a split for about 3 months and then re-evaluate. All work would be done at the gym.

 

[Vince]

I'd make for sure the gym folks know what you want before this gets too far. It would be terrible for you to give so much time and energy into this, only to find them not receptive to what *you* require. Get it in writing, before the work begins, if at all possible!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Make sure that you are crystal clear with the kind of services you would offer, and find out what else the new owners are looking to offer. It is very possible that the owners would be interested in actually employing therapists for their members, but don't rule out the possibility that you might have to rent a space from them. Do not let the line of communications drop or let them do something shady in the fine print.
Write a thorough business proposal with everything that you would want and then see how they react and negotiate from there. Good luck!

 

[Red Hott]

?

If your practice is thriving where you are why just not post flyers and have cards on the coutner, alleviating travel and further overhead? Best wishes whichever direction you choose.

 

[Ruby]

Holley,

I thought having an MT at a gym would be profitable for both the gym and the therapist, and this is why I mentioned it in the first place. Massage compliments exercise and seems like a perfect fit. It didn't even occur to me to ask if I could put flyers and cards at the gym, I guess because I think the MT should be in the gym. Actually, my very first massage was at a gym and I remembered thinking what a great compliment to exercise massage was.

I would enjoy working at a gym, part time, since it is stimulating with lots of people around. I have been in private practice for a long time, and it is a bit isolating. Having like-minded people around would be a nice change.

I will be putting together an initial proposal based on all the information I am receiving here. That will be a starting point for discussion at least. There are so many variables, and since I really don't know what their preferences are (I don't think they have any at this point), I am not sure how to put this together. I will then "tweak" it based on the feedback I get and then submit another proposal/contract.

Thank you all for your suggestions - much appreciated.

 

[Peace Loving Hippy Chick]

Give them very specific guidance on constructing the room(s). Sound is a major issue in gyms, so location and sound insulation is key to having a room that won't be nightmarish to work in. I've seen massage rooms in gyms located right below the group exercise room... :shock:

Anyway, be real proactive about how to design the space, as it will have a major impact on both client and employee retention over time, not to mention profitability. If you can, go check out some gym and spa facilities to see how they are laid out and come up with a list of recommendations regarding traffic flow to the room(s) and so forth.