Questions about home based massage business

[discount.queen]

Hello all,

I am thinking of working from home when I relocate to TN. I am not massaging at the moment as I am waiting for licensing from my state.

My questions:

If you have pets how do you handle them with your client? I have three cats and an air purifier and I would keep them out of the room but has having animals caused problems for you in your business.

If you live in an apartment with one door how do you set up your place? Do you just keep it very clean with no personals things in the living room when clients arrive? Have you had clients feel odd coming to your house?

I am figuring when I buy a house if I have a big enough lot I would build a seperate bldg for massage but until then an apartment it will be.

I am just trying to get ideas. Do you find it harder to get clients when they realize you are working from your house?

Just some questions.

Thanks,
: t102 :cat:
Chaos

 

[xxkristenlynnxx]

i don't have a home based business but i'll tell you a couple of things. one is that you must tell your clients that you have cats. air purifier or not, many people are allergeric and you should let them know before they get to your home. two is that you've got to be aware of what you cook. people don't want to be smelling your b-fast/lunch/dinner when receiving their massage. if you're trying to build your business, it may take longer building a home practice. some people do just feel funny about coming to someone's home. also, be aware of your neighbors and the fact that they may not like you having a home business. make sure that it is legal to do so in your area. it can be done. just be sure you pay attention to the details. get on your table often and look around as if you were your client. that's important for all of us to do from time to time. good luck!

 

[Rossy]

Hi

These are great questions, and it's smart of you to consider them beforehand. I've worked out of my home for 2.5 years. Having strangers come into your home, and blending workspace with homespace is not for everyone, but I personally wouldn't have it any other way. No commute, no wasted time sitting around, and it's vastly cheaper for you because you don't have to fork over part of the profits to anyone else.

I don't know much about working in an apartment, because I've never done massage out of one. This could very likely be considered running a business, so either make sure your management is OK with that and knows about it, or make sure they don't find out!

I have 2 cats. They're long-haired, but ironically, they're the most hypo-allergenic I've seen. I rarely mention them (maybe this is a mistake on my part), but that's because my family and extended family who are allergic to cats remarked that they've never had a problem with ours.

Terab is right, be careful what you cook (no garlic or hamburger meat!)

It's going to feel strange at first having strangers come into your home. But, for me, this passed as time went on. It also gets easier when some of these ppl become regulars who see you 1-2x/month for a few years--they become sort of like family then.

There is an increased safety issue when working from your house. Some board members don't understand why we go through the screening process we do when feeling out potential new clients, but these people need to read some of the horrific stories in other threads, because then they'll understand. Screen, and screen carefully--mostly the males, and especially those who want to get in ASAP. If you're married or have a roommate, make sure they're home when you schedule new clients. I've only had a couple of instances of inappropriate behavior, and luckily nothing harmful (just queasy) but better safe than sorry.

Make sure that the room you use is dedicated to massage only, and not a spare bedroom. No TV or crafts or anything. It's more professional. It's also good to have a restroom that is separate and just for them. You'll have to keep everything veeery clean. Vacuum every day, and before each client comes over, check your restroom and carpeting.

Yes, some people call and ask if we have a storefront location, commenting that they don't see an address on our website. I inform these people that like most therapists in our area, we work from home by appointment. Working from home does deter some people, because some say thank you and end the call.

I should add that massage from home is probably not legal in my area. I should also add that I have very good reason to believe that someone from the police department has called me posing as a potential client. He wanted a same-day (ASAP) appointment, which I declined, and gave him my next available time which was 2 days away. (He didn't sound sleazy, but I have my policies.) However, usually the police are concerned mainly with what KIND of masage you're doing at home--if you're a legit MT, our cops don't care. If you're running a vice-type of operation, you'll get busted. I've probably had several of these types of calls and no one has cared. I'm pretty sure they know what I'm doing, and if that's the case, they also know what I'm not doing.

Well, hope that helps
Good luck!
Hugs,
~Jyoti

 

[haunted_horse]

Thank you for the response!!

How many clients do you average a month?

I will probalby be doing this Part time to start and working as on ABO Certified Optician as well to make sure those pesky bills are covered.

I appreciate all the advice.


Cleaning every day would not be a huge problem for me and I am planning to get a 3 bedroom 2 bath apartment when I move and this is one of the reasons why.

 

[Fame]

Hey CL - just thought I'd ask, would this be in a complex, or just a small stand-alone building? I ask because it's hard for me to imagine an apartment or even condo complex in my area where a home massage business would be tolerated by the management. Most complexes here even have pretty strict guest parking policies, and absolutely no businesses are allowed, even Tupperware parties (or candle parties, or what have you) are hammered down pretty hard! So I hope that is not the case where you are.

You must be so excited to be starting soon!

 

[wella]

I would probably be in a complex. I have been lucky that most complexes I have lived in are not Parking Nazis.

I will have to see what it is like in TN though.

Besides, who says management has to know anyway? t059 t077

 

[Yarn]

Hi!

I work from home and have cats too.

The advice the others posted, and the pros and cons they stated are very good.

Couple of other things, some people won't come to you because your in a home. They want the ambiance and bells and whistles of a spa, but there are those people that care more about how good you are than anything else, and those people will be your clients.

Screen your people. I only take male clients by personal referral in my home.

Ask them when they call if they are allergic to cats.

One other thing, you will have to be firm with your professional boundaries. For some reason, people think they can hang out talking longer after the massage because they are in your home, in that laid back atmosphere. Also, more tend to be late, probably thinking your home anyway, so it's okay.

 

[due Sept. 13th! :)]

Questions about home based massage business

Hello all,

I am thinking of working from home when I relocate to TN. I am not massaging at the moment as I am waiting for licensing from my state.

Hi Chaos! I practice in TN so I can tell you a little bit more about this. I think you mentioned that you would be working from an apartment complex. I can tell you that most apartment complexes will not allow this. Infact, I'm not sure if any do, but that's some research you'll have to do. I was living in one in 2005 and I looked around a bit trying to find one for myself with no luck.

There are a lot of rules in TN that you will have to comply with. First you have to apply for a Massage Establishment License. THis doesn't cost too much, but you will be asked to comply with quite a few rules - some of which I wonder if you'll be able to do in an apartment. You can check out the codes at http://state.tn.us/sos/rules/0870/0870-01.pdf

Hope this helps some! As far as the other issues, it looks like you're getting wonderful feedback. I wish you the best of luck in your practice!

 

[Bad Karma]

Hey Vita!!!

I will be in Knoxville when I move!! We will be neighbors..sort of hehe.

I am planning to specialize in massage for Vets with PTSD so I doubt they will be looking for a spa atmosphere.

Thanks for the link and I do think I will end up getting an office...that's the gut feeling I am getting. I do not think I will want that energy even if I cleanse my space in my house.

It's going to be awhile before I move but this all gives me more clarification.

 

[The Hand That Feeds]

CL that sounds like a beautiful area to specialize in. But I can see why you'd want a separate space to hold that energy.

 

[Answers]

Welcome to the neighborhood! lol Once you're in TN if there's any way I can be of assistance, please don't hesitate to ask.

I think your area of specialization sounds wonderful and much needed. I wish you the very best!

Hey Vita!!!

I will be in Knoxville when I move!! We will be neighbors..sort of hehe.

I am planning to specialize in massage for Vets with PTSD so I doubt they will be looking for a spa atmosphere.

Thanks for the link and I do think I will end up getting an office...that's the gut feeling I am getting. I do not think I will want that energy even if I cleanse my space in my house.

It's going to be awhile before I move but this all gives me more clarification.

 

[Mercedes]

Couple of other things, some people won't come to you because your in a home.

I've noticed this, too. Mostly within the past year. These days, I seem to get more calls from ppl asking if I have a storefront location or something like that. Using relatively particular wording that tells me they're looking specifically for massage that is not in a MT's home. However, Leener is totally right in that there are also those ppl who understand that massage is very commonly a home-based business and that there is nothing strange or peculiar about it; these ppl don't care where they see you, they just care about the personality and technique of the MT caring for them.

One other thing, you will have to be firm with your professional boundaries. For some reason, people think they can hang out talking longer after the massage because they are in your home, in that laid back atmosphere. Also, more tend to be late, probably thinking your home anyway, so it's okay.

OMG that it so true! I used to allow one client to hang around a full hour and a half after his session got done--sometimes this would become 2.5 hours! Now, he was usually the last (or only) client that night, and we always had fascinating conversation and he's a regular client and all--but I've had to sort of put a stop to that, as I now usually have someone after him (or I need to study, since we started med school). He's real sweet, though.

Lateness, absolutely. Usually it's new clients underestimating how much time they'd need to get here and then not being able to find the place or whatever, and we have had to tighten up our schedule and our boundaries for sure. It has worked, though. If you're friendly but firm, this isn't an issue. Any "problem" (or less than respectful) people will wash out and not stay with you anyway, which is OK by me

Oh, and we average anywhere from 5-8 clients per week at home and 4 more appts at another location on Saturdays (we work Tue-Sat, with max of 3 in any one weekday evening--we're purposefully low-volume ks school is so demanding )


Good luck! You'll do well
Hugs,
~Jyoti

 

[Pompal 09.]

Thanks for all the support and the info!!

I am planning to only do the massage for about 20 hours a week as I know it will be emotionally draining. I have gotten some books on Shamanism and Soul Retrieval as well as planning to learn Cranial Sacral and acupressure. This is the year to get books and courses and learn so when I move I can start working.