Questions

[C-is-for-cookie]

I just moved back to this town from out of state. I need to start my practice but the place I thought would work out to share with an established therapist isn't going to work. She wants 25% I get the place Weds. all day and Sat. after 11 she provides nothing (except her table), I don't like her set up, can't get my groove and the bathroom is access for the florist next door to storage. It is noisy and there is no hot water. No where to store my stuff so I would have to haul it back and forth with me and no where to set up things like Hot stone etc... So I am looking for somewhere else. I have an appt. at a salon in the morning that has space. I will have details on cost etc.. later. I do not want to work everyday because of childcare but would like to fill up a few days a week with clients. I have some already who are just waiting for me to have a place.  How can I make this happen and still make some $$$ The going rate here is 35-40 for an hour. I am licensed in a different state but there is no licensure here. Plus I am certified in NMT do you think I can charge more than that or will I be cutting my throat? I am going to add what spa stuff I can so that will be another avenue of income.

 

[clade]

Questions

where did you move to? what state? I'd check with chiropracters' offices, gyms/rec centers that are close by you to see if they have someone on site yet. If not, that could work out for you.Hope these tips help ya! Be well,Jen

 

[Speedster]

Questions

Thanks Jen, I moved to Mountain Home, Idaho. Our town only has about 10,000 people. There is a Airforce base nearby too. But we don't have alot of the "modern" type gyms etc... you would expect from a bigger place. I do want to get into a med. office one or two days a week to do NMT which I would be billing insurance but for massage I think a different space would be nice.

 

[Aimz]

You know I thought of that. Seems someone just told me they got one out there. But I am going to look into it. I really didn't want to be in a salon but that kind of seems to be the thing around here. I am also disappointed in the low per hour fees that are being charged. They charged more in Boise, 50-60 on average but that is a 45 min. trip and more for rent etc... Plus the weather gets bad here so there would be times I wouldn't be able to make it there. So that is really not an option.  I wonder if I am just stuck with the going charge here?

 

[jdwestbrook86]

The whole rate issue is an interesting one.  My first thought is that it's typically a good idea to charge a rate close to what everyone else is charging around you.  Although when you think about other things, I could definitely see charging more if you can show your clients the value of what YOU offer.  Guess you'd have to check around and see what some others in the area are offering in the way of service, their talent etc...  As far as working in the salon atmosphere...sometimes you've got to start where the biz is.  Whatever you do, definitely make it a space where you feel completely comfortable working.  Add some "touches" that give it a little extra perceived value.  You could charge a little extra (so I'd think anyway).  Or see if you can get the owner/mgr. to only take a small cut.  Sometimes it's nice to be able to work where there is a steady stream of clientele.  Makes advertising a whole lot easier.  Good Luck!  Remember, you don't have to stay at a place forever.  Build your clients at the salon and move when you have a better location...especially if you've got some clients waiting already.  Keep us posted.

 

[Temmah B]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I don't know what the arrangement will be with the salon owner. I am hoping for a flat rent and not a % but we shall see. I have a couple more places to contact tomorrow and of course meet with this lady first thing. My DH suggested I take my school cert. as well as my license and any other pertinant (sp) training I have had. He also suggested I offer the owner a free massage so she can experience my work. What do you all think of those ideas?  

 

[Lee333]

I would definitely do what your husband suggested.  Also keep in mind a flexible plan and discuss different options with her.  If it's a flat rate, see if you can get her to lower the fee until business picks up a bit.  I guess if it's a flat fee per client you wouldn't have to worry about it.  Good luck looking around.  You know not to settle.  Work at a place that's right for you and your clients!

 

[callmejohn]

Questions

what I am thinking with the flat monthly rate is if I know what I am paying each month then I know how many clients I have to have to make that rent. I also don't want to just be sitting in there each day the salon is open. I have two small children and daycare will kill me if I am just sitting around. But say if I am off on Weds. and they get calls for massage they can fill up the next avail. day I am on the books. Ideally I would like to work a couple days a week and fill those days up with clients. If things get busy and I need to be in there more than that I can. But I would like it to be my space and my hours. Does that seem too much to ask?

 

[Brigitte]

Questions

Thanks Carol. I will contact the gym on base. My DH was in the Airforce years ago and they actually have a pretty nice gym/fitness center out there.

 

[krrue]

I have a friend in the military and he says the therapist at the gym there is ALWAYS busy!!!  I don't know exactly what the rate is, but it is definitely lower than on the "outside".  A word about the free massage......I would only offer a 30 minute massage.....that should be PLENTY of time for the person to assess your skills.  When I was going to school I worked in a spa.  The manager was interviewing for new therapists and the ones that she thought might be good candidates were asked to give her a massage.  One day she told me that So-and-So was coming in to give her an interview massage and that she had no intent on hiring him....she just wanted a free massage.  I was astonished!!!  I decided right then and there that I would not be giving one hour massages to potential employers.  I've been offered every job I've ever interviewed for in the massage field, so it certainly didn't hurt my chances for the job.  

 

[Sahara]

Questions

Kneaded-Sometimes we run into those who don't work as ethically as we would wish, eh?Personally, I think bringing in my massage chair and providing them a 15-20 minute massage for free is plenty of opportunity to see if my services are worth paying for/being hired.Another thought I had is to try out apartment complexes. More and more, the managers of upscale ones are wanting to provide services to their tenants that weren't always considered mainstream. I've found this to be the case where I'm located. Maybe try it out at a few of the ones in your area?Be well,Jen

 

[ashlee_mcholland19]

I hope this all works out for you.  One thought I had when I read the posts... I encourage you to keep your own schedule rather than allowing the salon or doctor's office to do it for you.  It doesn't require much on their part other than providing the inquiring client your phone number.  This allows you much more portability and control of both your schedule and your clients.  It also reinforces the idea that you are your own business.I use my cell phone number as my contact number.  This has really helped me manage my schedule around my six year old son.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Questions

Thanks Intuitouch. That is my plan. That is one of the big reasons I want to "just" rent space. So I can set my own hours etc... Thank you for reinforcing what I was already thinking. Also if I have a monthly rent the owner will get her money whether I am busy or not. We can always renegotiate in say 3 months. Etc...

 

[bonzii]

Questions

The meeting went well. I am definitely taking this space. I will have my own room , my own hours etc.. I am subleasing and it is costing me $50 a week. Which is fine. She also told me that there is only one other "good" therapist here in town and she charges $50 for an hour. She said I can definitely charge more than the $35-$40 and get it. I have the lease agreement to read over and I just need to tell her when I want to move in. Some of the stuff in there needs to come out. They used to have a nail tech in that room. She is also going to steam clean the carpets. I am going to ask her if beginning the 22nd is too soon. I have people who are ready to book appointments as soon as I have some space. I am making up my biz cards, I will do flyers and get gift cert. made up too.