question about renting a room

[Carver Descartes]

I just recently moved from a large city in the Tampa Bay area to a much smaller town several hours away. I am thinking of checking into renting a room from someone. However, I have never done this before and don't know where to start. A friend suggested that I offer to pay an "x" amount per massage I do in their facility (salon, gym, Dr's.office) instead of a set monthly rate as I do not have a clientelle as of yet. I thought this was a good idea as I would hate to pay a monthly fee and then not get enough clients to make it worthwhile. Then I thought that if I did happen to gain a significant amount of clients (that would be nice....sighs) I may end up paying more than I would if I paid a monthly fee. I want the arrangement to be beneficial to both parties concerned. Hope I'm not confusing anyone I have so many thoughts running through my mind right now. I would appreciate any advice you have if you've been in this situation. Also, what would be the best way to market myself? Free chair massage, discount for first time clients, coupons or bonus referalls? Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

 

[michelle]

Well, as both a tenant and a landlord, I really understand both sides.

For me as a landlord - I would be happy to help accommodate a new MT or someone new in town *IF* and only *IF* they seemed to be a good fit in my healing center. Some things I might offer would be a tiered rental agreement - such as $150 the first/second month, $200 the third/fourth month and $250 the fifth month. (Just tossing out numbers here).

Another option might be to pay $xxx per day, or pay $xxx per hour up to three hours, then the daily rate.

Still - another option would be to take on a few half days for flexibility in scheduling at $xxx per week.

It never hurts to ask if they have some flexibility in what they need from tenants. Some people are really cool and will work with you.

As for marketing yourself, there are a lot of ways to do it, and it really depends on the demographic you're targeting as well as your local market for massage. Always carry biz cards and brochures, leave them at restaurants, doc offices, gas stations etc. When you meet new people introduce yourself and your work and be sure to ask what they do as well. Join a local networking group. Join a local business association like the Chamber of Commerce or Booster Club.

Hope that helps some. Good luck with your practice!

 

[Ethan Y]

question about renting a room

I would hate to pay a monthly fee and then not get enough clients to make it worthwhile. Then I thought that if I did happen to gain a significant amount of clients (that would be nice....sighs) I may end up paying more than I would if I paid a monthly fee. I want the arrangement to be beneficial to both parties concerned.

It can be scary to start out with no clients when facing a set fee every month, but having a manageable set fee every month (or week) can also push a therapist to make it happen and build up a client base faster.

Figure out what you feel you can manage for a daily, weekly or monthly rent and how many clients you'd need to see in order to meet that rent.

A holistic doctor I know of just called places from the phone book that sounded like they would be a good fit for her services. She was looking for an office space to meet clients a few days a month. If you have an idea of what you are willing to pay while you build clients you can just start calling places to see if they have space and ask how much it would be and then think about negotiating if something sounds promising.

 

[Un Chin C]

empathetic~heart

Thank you for your advice. Your idea about paying a certain amount for a couple months and then progressively more as time goes on was along the same lines as I was thinking. I just saw an ad on Craigslist for a spa in Orlando that was asking for $220.00 a week (almost $900.00 a month). Wow, I would be very scared to commit to something like that just starting out! But I realize Orlando is much bigger than the small town I am in right now.
I am thinking of going to tanning salons or hairstylists in my area, possibly doctors offices as well.
Again, thank you for all your help.

 

[Ray E]

akb

Thank you as well. I didn't see your post until after I responded to empathetic~heart.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I am going to be renting a large room with reception area, use of washer/dryer and a large bathroom at a nearby hair salon soon!

Our space (there will be 3 10x12 tx rms) is actually the next store over from the salon and has its own glass-front and door. I'm really excited about this, and another LMT I know will be renting one of the rooms also.

I've known the hair salon owner and have worked out of a very small room there for years, but very limited hours per week, as I have another job at a spa. Shes actually doing construction to let us have that entire other store.

I've been thinking of ways to market, accept credit cards, all the usual stuff, but the thing that I really dont understand is this:

The other LMT will be renting one of the rooms(we are friends, we both work at the spa together)
Is it better to start out working as seperate therapists, I mean, not partners? Should we form a LLC partnership? Do I need to file a DBA or should I just work under my own name to begin and see how that goes. That situation just makes advertising seem a little difficult.

Sorry this is so long- I appreciate any advice anyone is willing to take the time to give me! :?

 

[hotkagome]

I am going to be renting a large room with reception area, use of washer/dryer and a large bathroom at a nearby hair salon soon!

Our space (there will be 3 10x12 tx rms) is actually the next store over from the salon and has its own glass-front and door. I'm really excited about this, and another LMT I know will be renting one of the rooms also.

I've known the hair salon owner and have worked out of a very small room there for years, but very limited hours per week, as I have another job at a spa. Shes actually doing construction to let us have that entire other store.

I've been thinking of ways to market, accept credit cards, all the usual stuff, but the thing that I really dont understand is this:

The other LMT will be renting one of the rooms(we are friends, we both work at the spa together)
Is it better to start out working as seperate therapists, I mean, not partners? Should we form a LLC partnership? Do I need to file a DBA or should I just work under my own name to begin and see how that goes. That situation just makes advertising seem a little difficult.

Sorry this is so long- I appreciate any advice anyone is willing to take the time to give me! :?

If I were you I'd just work for myself, no partnerships... You could share some expenses like split phone and credit card machine, other utilities...
I rent a room (sole proprietor) in a group setting, as does Anastasia - http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=103683
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11520&highlight=group+setting

LLC, sole proprietor- check out this thread http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12122

 

[Lisa]

Those are great threads. This forum is fantastic, thanks so much.

I was leaning towards both of us being independent, so I'm glad to read that it can be done sucesfully.

I would love to do sp because it is the simplest thing to do, but I'm a little leary because I do own a home. (Not that I plan on being sued *knocks on wood*) :?

 

[CB#32]

Those are great threads. This forum is fantastic, thanks so much.

I was leaning towards both of us being independent, so I'm glad to read that it can be done sucesfully.

I would love to do sp because it is the simplest thing to do, but I'm a little leary because I do own a home. (Not that I plan on being sued *knocks on wood*) :?

I'm a home owner, and a sole proprietor also.
If you have any other specific questions, feel free to pm me

this forum is great, everyone is really really helpful.

 

[bloodangel]

*sorry* I didnt have time to read through all the replies so I may be repeating something thats already been said.

I would not pay per massage - been there done that, surprisingly I built a busy business pretty quickly and ended up getting the shaft and paying about 3 times what I should have...but I was new and didnt know any better. *SIGH* hindsight.....

Since you are new to the area, I would however recommend renting a room in an existing business, Ive been in a few offices and this approach has been very beneficial for me. Now I'm in a womens fitness center, I have been in a tanning salon, then next door (but still in same building) as a florist, I have been on my own too, I like that - but for getting started nothing beat having a built in client list and being right in the sight of lots of people.

Good luck!