New opportunity in great salon...suggestions?

[Princesa Z]

Hi all,

I have read, I think, all the threads on IC vs. employee vs. room renter, and the info has been really helpful. Still a bit confusing, but helpful. I am now in a position to establish my business (license should be mine by end of May). The salon (very upscale and busy) where I get my hair cut is looking to bring in a massage therapist (brand new for them), and since I've been going there for many years, and have done chair massage (free) for them and their clients several times in the last few months, the owner wants to talk to me about it! I'm very psyched, but don't want to count any chickens yet. They have a terrific room for it, and I know they'd promote me, but I'm really nervous about agreeing to anything that will later bite me in the behind...

I will be going in to do a massage on the owner next week, and then sit down with her the next day to talk about the plans, but I want to be prepared. It's possible (although who knows) that she'll be open to a split, at least initially, and then maybe me paying rent. I guess I can't ask you all to comment too much until I hear details, but I would love to hear what you wish you knew before even going into the interview process.

Also, any tips for giving her the massage would be welcome. I have a 1 hour slot (of her time) to do it in.

Wow, I can't believe that this is finally happening. It seems like forever ago that I started school! t024 Thanks in advance for any advice and/or warnings you can pass my way. t048

 

[Mordent]

I would have in mind what you wanted, and even the sketchy outline of a contract, know what you'd want ideally and what you'd be willing to settle for, especially when it comes to a split. You might want to put a "cap" on the amount she can take in the split should you do very well...
If she requests you pay a flat rent, see if you can get a low rent intially... say the first three months or so while you build up your clientele.
Get measurements of the space you would have available and sketch out the agreement as to who will provide what, etc.
As for providing the actual massage, I'd provide her with the intake forms ahead of time so that you can devote more time to the hands on portion of the massage, and know in advance what areas she's going to have "issues" with.
My guess is she'll adore you if you do a good job on her arms, neck and upper back. Remember hair stylists are also at risk for CTS... *snip snip* Lots of small repetitive motions!

 

[Poster]

If you are looking to do a split and then go to rent later on, do some homework ahead of time and figure out how many clients you would need to see in a month while paying a split to get to the amount of rent you may end up paying later on. That will give you an idea how many clients you will need to support yourself and make her happy too.

Another consideration is sheets. Do they have a laundry service for the towels they use now? Or will you be bringing in your own sheets? If you bring your own sheets, is there a washer/dryer on the premises? Draging sheets from home to work, especially if there is a lot, can get cumbersome. It also means you will have to do laundry when you get home at night too. Will you have to pay your portion of the service for the sheets in addition to the split/ rent?

Another alternative too is doing a split/rent agreement where you split until an agreed amount is reached for the rent, then the rest is yours for the rest of the month. Just a few things to consider, there are a lot of variables out there. Good luck and keep us up to date!

 

[sweet heart xx]

I am hoping this salon owner will be fair and open to suggestions since you have been a regular customer for a long time and this is her first time offering massage in her establishment. You are smart to go in there prepared. She may very well have no idea how these things work with massage therapists and may look to you for what would be an acceptable arrangement. She may also have an unrealistic expectation or just be only on the lookout for herself. I would suggest you decide ahead of time how YOU would like the arrangement to be. What is ideal for you? What is practical for you? What do you need to make ends meet and be successful? What points will you absolutely not budge on?

If you go in there prepared you will better be able to know if things are fair or not. Of course, you will want to think about it before making a commitment, regardless of what she offers. But, if she said she is giving you 30% and you have to pay for your own supplies and launder your own sheets, do your own marketing and pay her receptionists a tip if they get you more than "x" amount of clients a month, you will obviously know this is a stinky deal right off the bat. Of course, I've exaggerated quite a bit here, but you understand my point?

I am a firm believer that giving a one hour demo massage is not necessary. I think 30 minutes is plenty and be sure to ask beforehand if there is anything specific they are looking for, like how you turn the client over, or how you do neck work or work on the feet. You'd want to be sure to cover that. I think they should be able to get a very good idea of what your touch and massage is like in 30 minutes. I think there are plenty of other things you can fill the additional 30 minutes with. You can explain how important your intake form is and let her know that this is a must. Believe it or not, there are lots of places who don't use them and people not involved in the massage world may not realize their importance to us. You could also explain how you customize the massage to meet the client's needs. If you spent an hour giving her a 60 minute swedish massage, she still wouldn't have a clue what your deep tissue was like or maybe that you even did deep tissue. You might also talk about whether you do prenatal massage and what accommodations you make for that. You could talk a little about pathologies and what accommodations you might make or why you may refuse to massage someone because of it. Etc. etc. You get the idea. A 60 minute massage will give her a thorough idea of what your Swedish massage might be like, but she'll have no idea what your knowledge is in other areas. That's my $2 worth on that subject. I've seen and heard too many times of people giving 60 minute demo massages and it is just plain obvious that the receiver is in it for the massage.

You could say something like "I know you are busy and I think it's best to make the most efficient use of this 60 minutes, so how about I massage you for 30 minutes and then I will discuss the many other aspects of my massage that I feel it's important for you to know." If she suggests you talk during the massage, you can take that opportunity to point out that it will affect the quality of the massage you are giving to have to interview and massage at the same time, as well as that she will not be receiving in the same way while her brain is processing the information. Ooops! There's another $2 worth.

Please let us know how it goes!

 

[Josselyn]

Maestra, doodab, and Kneaded, thank you so much for your responses!! You each had awesome advice. I did have a little "monkey wrench" thrown my way today, though...

I was in the salon today (teenage son getting haircut) and talked with the owner who I'm massaging/interviewing with next week. She was really excited about having me come in, etc., and I took that opportunity to ask her about what I should bring, etc. (they have all their own linens, and a table much like my own). I then asked her what type of massage she wanted me to do, and got a shock...

She said, "What I don't want is a Swedish massage. I can't stand to lie still for that. I like a good deep pressure massage. I mean, I know SOME people like Swedish, but I don't." So I'm standing there smiling and nodding, but inside I'm going "Oh, s--t! Now what do I do?" Because my typical hour long massage is definitely based on Swedish. Now I guess I need to re-think what I'm going to do next week. I learned some neuromuscular (not that much, though) in school, and some shiatsu, but it's just that I haven't practiced those things as much as I have Swedish. Also, I give a damn good Swedish massage t053 , at least from what I've been told, and it bums me out that she doesn't want to experience that.

I can definitely give a good strong pressure massage, but it's usually more a deep Swedish, with a few neuro moves mixed in, rather than anything else. I guess it's time to review my neuro book, my shiatsu notes, and maybe throw in some Thai moves. Please give me some advice. t100

 

[Alison]

1. See the thread Deep Tissue, not Deep Swedish

2. Try to figure out which she really wants.

3. Buy a Deep Tissue massage for yourself and "study" during it .

If you had more time I would recommend Sean Riehl's Deep Tissue and Neuromuscular Therapy -The Torso video. http://www.deeptissue.com

 

[Becham]

I would be incline to just go deeper than you would normally. A lot of people interpret Sweedish Massage as a "fluff and buff" type of massage. Ask her if she has any issues going on that need to be addressed, incorporate some stretching, and the Shiatsu/Thai mix would be a good idea. You can't do everything you do on her in 60 minutes let alone in 30, tell her there are many other moves that you use beyond just the conventional. If you do well with Shiatsu and Thai, suggest that they be offered as an additional services in addition to Sweedish. To be honest, I am willing to bet you do well with her if you keep the door open to a mix of other modalities along with the norm. You will find that the more you do, the more you will use and go back and review what you have done in school. Go for it!!!!

 

[MetalBitchEngaged!]

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I think you're right, I just need to do what I do and add more pressure and concentrate on the spots she indicates that need more work. I do know a great arm/wrist/hand sequence that is great for carpal tunnel, overuse injury, etc. I'm sure she has some issues with that part of her body!

I know that it will all work out fine no matter which way it goes. I am so pumped up about marketing myself and starting (it's been about 18 months since I started school, and I'm SO ready to start actually working) that even if this turns out to not be the perfect opportunity, I know I'll be able to get clients and get going anyway.

I just knew that this was the place to get GREAT advice and support. I really love this board. I've learned SO much already, and I haven't even begun my career fully yet. I'm so glad I signed on as a student, and got the benefit of this collective wisdom/experience.... OK, now I'm gushing... but, seriously, thank you so much!

 

[I love my love]

I do know a great arm/wrist/hand sequence that is great for carpal tunnel, overuse injury, etc. I'm sure she has some issues with that part of her body!

That's great peacefulharbor... and she'll probably have sore rhomboids... and don't forget to work the neck really well. I've found that many hair stylists have Levator Scapula issues on the side which holds the scissors... What's going on with the posterior scalenes?
Is she the type that is more concerned about fashion than comfort, wearing heels to work? Then there might be lower back pain... this is where observation and a good intake form are pure gold... :

 

[ffrr]

new oppertunity in a great salon....suggestions?

I'll chime in and add.......SLOW DOWN and really feel the specific muscle groups and apply firm pressure to those areas. I agree with dodab...throw in a different modality like shiatsu, or MFR or whatever you learned and WOW her.
When I went for a massage interview/demo, I did all modalities on the person. That meant MFR, Trigger point if necessary, deep tissue, ROM to limbs, shiatsu, lomi lomi and a heated stone to the back. { I just brought a couple in a hot pot. heats up fast and portable, but if you do this, have a bowl of water to cool if necessary and of course, only do what you've done comfortably.}Anyway, I wanted to show them all modalities I could do. I took charge and owned the session and got the job. Dazzle em!

 

[Saza]

I'd say to also throw in some BMT and stretching (like shiatsu/Thia stretches). If you do an intake, and she mentions pain in specific areas (ex. my right shoulder really hurts) you could do some ROM tests before the massage even begins. A lot of people only think 'relaxation' when they think massage, and don't realize it has so many more benefits. She may be impressed that you know to ask the 'right' questions.

If she gets off the table feeling better than she did before she got on, she will probably be happy. Good luck!