Massage Therapist needs help!--- only serious opinions please?

[sadie1_9_99]

I am a massage therapist. I have 2 places of operation. One out of my home in a really small town of 400 ppl the other is 30 mi away in a tanning salon. The business at home is doing alright (only therapist w/in 20 mi) but the one in the tanning salon is not doing so well. I have tried to be there as much as possible to mingle with the customers but when the tanning place only has 4 customers btwn the hrs of 8am and 3pm it makes it hard. Instead of driving 60mi hoping to get a client that day,I made a decision to only go there when I have appointments. I have not been there in about a month. I have a feeling the girls that work there don't like me and may be turning business away when asked about my massages. What should I do? Should I give up my spot at the tanning place and concentrate on the business at home? Or should I just find another place eg. chiropractor, beauty salon, etc.?

 

[themanticore07]

I would find another second place of employment, assuming you don't own the tanning salon (if you were the salon owner, you'd be much better trying to salvage or turn-around the business).

Surely there has to be another place that could use a massage therapist within a 60-mile radius, if not closer. And if and when you do decide to work somewhere else, do everything you can to make the second time around better than the first. Take a little time and think about why there were so few customers at the salon. Think about why your relationship with the other women seemed to be less-than-perfect. Think about what both the salon and you could have done better. And after you think about all of this, make a plan a to assure your new employment is successful and enjoyable.

Small business (if not all business) is all about satisfying the customer. I'm guessing you're a good massage therapist, so why let your talent go to waste at a place that doesn't embrace you and your work? Be positive, friendly, and assertive and the customers will love you-- and come back-- and tell their friends.

In conclusion, I think you definitiely need a healthier and more productive place to work. You're right. You're driving 60 miles to a place where the other employees don't fully support you, only to interact with 4 potential customers a day, and that's not cool.

Try again at a better place with a better you. You'll be much happier and more satisfied, plus, you'll be making more cash

Good luck.