Just graduated -- what kind of job?

[Taylor!]

Hello,I just graduated from a 500 hour massage course, and I have passed the national cert test.  I'm going to get my license in NC, and am looking to start working.I went to visit a local chiropractor's office this morning.  They're asking $250/month (including utilities), but I have to take my own appointments and get my own phone line.  I'd have my own key to the entrance, which is separate from the chiropractor's office entrance.  There is another massage therapist already in the office, and my room would be behind hers.  There is a bathroom right outside the therapy rooms.  They would also put my business name on the door (just like they did for the therapist that's already there).They said I don't have to keep the same hours they do, since I'd have my own key.  The other therapist charges $30/half hour and $50/hour.The facility is about 30 minutes from where I live in the Lake Norman, NC area.Is this the best option for me?  I'd like to get clinical experience, and the chiro staff says that their patients ask every day for info. about massage.  They also said the patients would like to take advaneforum.xxxe of the services because it's convenient (before or right after their chiro adjs).  That is one of my fears -- not knowing anyone in the area... but it seems there would be a lot of referrals from the chiropractor.I'd like to have my own business someday, and this would be an immediate way of starting, along with gaining a lot of clinical experience (hoping to draw on the knowledge of the chiropractor).The other thought I was having was to call the more local chiropractor's offices, and see if anyone is hiring.  I'd like to be closer than 30 minutes away from home, but that's about the only down-side to the room I saw today.Any insights you have would be appreciated!!

 

[Ellie]

When I first started out, I certainly was not able to come up with the $250 a month and still pay all my personal bills.  Luckily I was able to work out a deal with a local salon.  She takes only 20% from each massage.  So, starting out from scratch, I thought this was the best option for me.  I, too, did not know many in the area.  Anyways, I was just worried that I may not be able to make rent, so I chose to go with the 80/20 split.  I do not have to pay utilities.  The room I use is shared.. When I don't have appointments, they use it as an extra room for waxing.  So, I guess that's the only disadvaneforum.xxxe.  But for me, it works out for the better

 

[takersbrother]

Just graduated -- what kind of job?

Hi!I'm sorry I have no professional advice for you, but I do have a question---Are you currently seeing clients? I am in the Lake Norman area and am looking for an affordable massage therapist for regular deep tissue and/or NMT massages.By the way, a thought--I see a chiropractors at Davidson Chiropractic in Davidson. It's a fantastic husband-and-wife team trying to build up their practice. Have you checked with them for work?

 

[marc antony]

[quote author=CelestialMassage link=board=bus;num=1050518867;start=0#0 date=04/16/03 at 14:47:47]Hello,آ They're asking $250/month (including utilities),[/quote]I think it is a sweet deal.5 massages and you are in the black.I'd take a flat rent over a % split anytime.Have them post a flyer/sign announcing their new therapist.  Have your cards out front by the receptionists area.  MAKE friends with the other MT.Good luck and congrats.Robyn

 

[natalie.anastasakis]

I think it is an awesome deal. آ On top of it, you don't have to keep the same hours as them, which gives you the ability to take a part-time job at a spa or elsewhere until you are able to build enough clientele to be there full time. آ If you have the $$, you probably are not going to find a better rental price. آ I's also talk to the other massage therapist in the office, see how long she has been there, how she likes it and if she plans to stay or leave. آ That may give you even more insite into the deal. آ If quiet space is important to you, you should also check and see how loud the office is going to be during the times you are there. آ Somewhere in the Business/Marketing Forum there should be a thread about quiet areas and how to make your space more quiet. آ I recall it had a post in it about someone hanging velvet curtains. آ You may want to read that thread too, for more ideas.Good luck. آ  PS - I drive about 45 mins. to work everyday and have been doing that for about 14 years now.  You get used to it after a while, but maybe you could work three days at the chiro and 2 days somewhere else.  That could be another option if you don't like driving.  

 

[cheesecake]

one 1hr massage per week would almost cover your rent which includes your utilities - that sounds pretty good to me - just very scary to commit to it.  Have you a bit of saving to cushion this start up time?I would talk to the other MT - find out how much business is referred from the chiro - they'd probably be 1/2hour treatments. 2 of those a week and your rent is paid for, what days/hours does he/she work? You might be able to work different hours when the chiro is open and not be competing for business to start with.  As for the phone line - would a cell phone be acceptable?  That way if it doesn't work out, your clients you have would still be able to reach you, even if you moved elsewhere. The 30 minutes is nothing if you are in your own car, but if it is 30 minutes of public transport/walking, and you lug the linens, it will seem like forever....