massage therapy at YMCA

[Emilie]

I have a very busy practice and have been approached by the director of the Y here in my community to offer massage therapy. I do not want to do all the massage myself - and have no employees or IC's working here.

So I told him that I would do the following:
survey members to see what interest there is, times, days etc.
(I wrote up the survey, they are to copy and hand out)
set up a schedule for massage when I can do it - till it gets too much for me, then find suitable therapists to fill in when needed - at a % for me.
The Y will schedule the appointments
I will collect money - or the therapist doing the work.
They have laundry facilities and may be willing to do laundry for me.
I will provide all supplies and equipment.
I will expect exclusivity - no one but me or someone working through me will be able to offer massage - table or chair at the Y and their functions while we have a contract.

I told him since it was going to be a large time commitment for me to set it up - I wanted an exclusive contract and he agreed. He said we will talk about what the room will cost after we find out what kind of interest there will be.

I also have talked to the previous director of the Y - he is a client, who told me to charge more at the Y than I do at the office - because they are paying extra for the convenience. Certainly not to charge less because I might lose business at my main office if people found out they can get it cheaper at the Y. He also said I may be able to pay the Y a 5% fee of the massages and pay the therapists a % also.

I will offer 15 and 30 minute massages only, if they want more they can come to the office.

Any suggestions on wording of contract (I know I should get a lawyer), and general suggestions from anyone who has done something like this?

thanks

Debra
Healingtouch

http://www.healingtouch-massage.com

 

[xxtomxx]

deleted

 

[jeremyfairchild]

I would just suggest that the director check with the national organization because they do (or did) have policies regarding massage in Y facilities. There was a same gender only policy, 50/50 split, the desk handled scheduling and payment ( required in advance ) and that non-members had to pay the entrance fee even if only going in for massage. They also had a three ring binder full of forms, other paperwork and policies for therapists and clients to follow.

 

[jorge_felix_rodriguez]

I have considered approaching my town's community center about offering this but wasn't sure where to begin. It's a large very active community center, activities for young and old alike. I'd like to start out doing the massages but want the flexibility of having my own ICs in there as well.

Should I just call up the center director? I could see this ending up being a lot of work but managed correctly a lot of $$.

 

[J.SWAMY I]

If someone from my local YMCA asked me to work there, I would tell them no way!!

My YMCA only provides 60 minute massages and charges $35. That is about $15 less than average around here. They let the therapist keep half. So, they make $17.50 per massage with no chance of getting more unless they are tipped or they raise the rates. The rates have been at this level for over 2 years. They only let members get a massage there as well.

I do have a busy practice, and would be losing money if I went to work for the Y. Hopefully, your Y would be different.

Any updated info since your original post??

 

[GeltBesepap]

Having worked at my local Y, I think you need to speak with your director about keeping any of the fees charged to members. The YMCA is a not for profit organization, and therefore cannot profit from services offered there. My director asked what I needed to make, and together we decided on 35 for an hour. I was an employee, so they took out taxes, but I still ended up with about $33 per session. I created my own schedule and would only come in when I had appointments. They did the booking and collected fees. I worked when I wanted, got a free membership, advertising, and clients that came in on a regular basis. Several of these referred non-members to me at my regular office, so it's a win-win situation.

 

[marion.ofsherwood]

That is not bad for working at a Y. I know 2 women who worked for the local Y as MTs. They would have LOVED to get the lions share of the $35 Renee!! But they only got half!! I will have to let them know not all Y's work the same way. THey will be in for a shock.

Christine