Dear Colleagues,
First of all, my heart is warmed آ that so many of you not only took the time to READ my long post, but to offer authentic support and thought-provoking ideas. آ You don't even know me and yet take the time to offer help and this meant a great deal to me.
Sandymolt, your first line was very compassionate and immediately made me feel less alone. آ I agree, taking the reins back on my practice is not even an option anymore, and I feel more empowered to do so after reading many of the suggestions offered here. آ آ I agree, I would feel offended, too, if I were a renter and someone tried to tell me when to be there. آ This is probably because my expectations have not been well-articulated. آ This process has been valuable in getting me to be absolutely clear on what I expect from them and then communicating it. آ I loved your analogy of the massage center being my baby! آ I guess آ even the best moms have to practice tough love for the well-being of both themselves and their younguns! آ آ
Mush, thanks for reminding me that the monster is manageable... That's my mew mantra!
آ Your insights into my blurring the lines between renter and employee were really on target. آ This is probably a result of no formal written agreement between Body Wisdom and the MTs (I know I know I know...huge error! آ That's changing!) آ I have learned that I tend to collapse friend/teacher/mother/business owner into one person creating confusion about my role for everyone involved with me. آ I have heard that this is a common problem for women business owners. آ My classroom is currently used for yoga, thai chi, pilates and aromatherapy classes. آ Nevertheless, it is greatly underused and this is one area I will begin to develop. آ I didn't understand what you meant by آ One of the therapists and I go way back and she's been there for three years. She's the one I am particularly concerned about saving the friendship. The other has been there for 9 months and does very little. I am less concerned but will consider her feelings anyway. That would be the professional way to handle things.Thanks! Liz
Dear Texas-Gal,Yes, after giving it some thought, I've considered easing them into the new, higher rates. The boiled frog theory...
One of the therapists and I go way back and she's been there for three years. She's the one I am particularly concerned about saving the friendship. The other has been there for 9 months and does very little. I am less concerned but will consider her feelings anyway. That would be the professional way to handle things.Thanks! Liz
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 8:45 am
Texas-gal
Post subject:
Re: Really need advice with my rent arrangements!
Glad to see your response Body_Wisdom_Center.It seems you have your heart on managing the beast ASAP.May I just suggest that if you are going to make the jump to $400 on April 15th, and you really like the people who rent from you a lot, that you consider giving them at least a 6 month adjustment period to this instead.I say this because, even though you may financially be able to afford to loose the people, if they have worked for you this long and you have a good relationship with them, why jeopordize loosing the relationship if you can afford to make this a little easier on them.I hope that above sentence makes sense. What I am trying to say is, if they are not as financially stable, and they really want to stay, 6 months may give them the chance to re-work their bills to make the change and stay with you. But, changing the rent from $275/mo. to $400/mo. in the course of another 3 weeks may be a bit rough on a person. Now they are put in a predicament of trying to find a new space if they can't afford to stay and mind you, find it fast.... or they put out the extra money, put themselves in a huge bind and at the same time become resentful of you.Personally, I would like to keep the friendships made if they are good ones, and give a little notice than to put it all on them at once.Just a suggestion as to the "why". I can understand not going up over incrimintally, but I also like to try to think of a way that keeps everyone stable. In a case of people I am close to, I personally would try to "do unto others", I guess -- if they were people I really enjoyed and knew were working hard to put food on their table too.However, maybe your situation dictates that financially you must make the change now. Just wanted to offer the opinion for what it may be worth.
Glad to see your response Body_Wisdom_Center.It seems you have your heart on managing the beast ASAP.May I just suggest that if you are going to make the jump to $400 on April 15th, and you really like the people who rent from you a lot, that you consider giving them at least a 6 month adjustment period to this instead.I say this because, even though you may financially be able to afford to loose the people, if they have worked for you this long and you have a good relationship with them, why jeopordize loosing the relationship if you can afford to make this a little easier on them.I hope that above sentence makes sense. What I am trying to say is, if they are not as financially stable, and they really want to stay, 6 months may give them the chance to re-work their bills to make the change and stay with you. But, changing the rent from $275/mo. to $400/mo. in the course of another 3 weeks may be a bit rough on a person. Now they are put in a predicament of trying to find a new space if they can't afford to stay and mind you, find it fast.... or they put out the extra money, put themselves in a huge bind and at the same time become resentful of you.Personally, I would like to keep the friendships made if they are good ones, and give a little notice than to put it all on them at once.Just a suggestion as to the "why". I can understand not going up over incrimintally, but I also like to try to think of a way that keeps everyone stable. In a case of people I am close to, I personally would try to "do unto others", I guess -- if they were people I really enjoyed and knew were working hard to put food on their table too.However, maybe your situation dictates that financially you must make the change now. Just wanted to offer the opinion for what it may be worth.
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 5:23 am
Body_Wisdom_Center
Post subject:
Re: Really need advice with my rent arrangements!
Dear Colleagues,
First of all, my heart is warmed آ that so many of you not only took the time to READ my long post, but to offer authentic support and thought-provoking ideas. آ You don't even know me and yet take the time to offer help and this meant a great deal to me.
Sandymolt, your first line was very compassionate and immediately made me feel less alone. آ I agree, taking the reins back on my practice is not even an option anymore, and I feel more empowered to do so after reading many of the suggestions offered here. آ آ I agree, I would feel offended, too, if I were a renter and someone tried to tell me when to be there. آ This is probably because my expectations have not been well-articulated. آ This process has been valuable in getting me to be absolutely clear on what I expect from them and then communicating it. آ I loved your analogy of the massage center being my baby! آ I guess آ even the best moms have to practice tough love for the well-being of both themselves and their younguns! آ آ
Mush, thanks for reminding me that the monster is manageable... That's my mew mantra!
آ Your insights into my blurring the lines between renter and employee were really on target. آ This is probably a result of no formal written agreement between Body Wisdom and the MTs (I know I know I know...huge error! آ That's changing!) آ I have learned that I tend to collapse friend/teacher/mother/business owner into one person creating confusion about my role for everyone involved with me. آ I have heard that this is a common problem for women business owners. آ My classroom is currently used for yoga, thai chi, pilates and aromatherapy classes. آ Nevertheless, it is greatly underused and this is one area I will begin to develop. آ I didn't understand what you meant by آ ? آ Can you expand on that please?
Texas-Gal, آ youre right, as long as they don't have to take any initiative they are content and become complacent with working the minimum to make their rent. آ آ Several of you suggested raising the rent a bit at a time but I feel that I've allowed the situation to drag on for too long and would rather establish a new rent policy starting April 15th or May 1st. آ Who wishes to stay will who doesn't want to work can leave. آ I teach in a local massage school and have many bodyworkers in the community asking to work at BW because of the nice environment and reputation of the place. آ
Robyn, (Nybor 7), you hit the nail on the head! آ I did indeed (naively) start out thinking that by being generous and giving them lots of opportunities to earn well, grow and learn, that in return they would automatically work hard individually and as a team, and I would have the satisfaction of creating successful therapists. آ Instead, it has backfired on me and I have allowed it to become a situation in which I am taken advaneforum.xxxe of and doing all the work. آ After 8 years in practice, I have come to realize that most massage practitioners just don't have strong work ethics. آ However, I continue to resist having employees. آ Details are not my strength and I foresee problems with detailed paperwork such as the tax papers, insurance, etc. آ And thank you for the kind words, Robyn. آ Actually, I think I AM great to work for and any therapist who wants to have a successful future is lucky to work with me! آ (where the heck to do live? آ Come to PA!)
JDCan, آ Although a jump will scare the bejeepers out of the current therapists, آ I am going to do it. آ When I examine all the possible combinations, I find I am most comfortable going with a 70/30 split with a $400 minimum for the practitioner with room to herself and $250 minimum for a shared room. آ In working this pay schedule, آ my heavy marketing efforts are rewarded and I will be more likely to help their business grow because I receive a portion of everything they earn. آ And I deserve to earn more than what I currently am. آ What do you think of putting a cap on the 70/30? آ What do other people do? آ
Kneaded Massage, آ The $275 doesn't include linens or oils but I sell those at a discount. آ But yes, everything else is included. آ Dumb, huh? LOL! آ I liked your question آ If they leave, it would put me in the position of starting fresh with new MTs and new rules. آ I have learned to look for a couple of things when hiring. آ One, hire slowly and آ two, check into their background to see what they have done above and beyond work in the past. آ Did they work as kids/teens? آ Did they volunteer in the community? آ What were their responsibilities growing up? How much have they demonstrated work ethics in other areas of life. آ Do they support themselves or have a spouse to fall back on? آ And check work references! آ You said آ These are very validating words. آ Thank you!
To sum up, I'll have a meeting with them, announce the new rate structure of 30/70 split with a minimum depending on their room set up. آ I will create actual contracts and ask for a security deposit. آ
Thanks to each one of your for your input. آ Please email me if I can be of help in return one day! آ
[email protected] آ آ
Liz
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:52 am
KneadedMassage
Post subject:
Re: Really need advice with my rent arrangements!
Wow......$275 and they get everything? Does that include advertising and laundry too? How much do you want to hang onto these particular therapists? If you raise the rent, whether it be to $325 or $400 and they decided to leave, would you be disappointed, or would you welcome it as a chance to get other MT's in there who would pay more and possibly be more hardworking? The way I see it, these two are getting the benefit of your advertising, your hard work in the community and your good name. That is all worth an awful lot. I think it's time to sit down with them and have the meeting, as was suggested. But first, you need to decide what you are comfortable with. If these two therapists end up not being comfortable with that, then it may be time to find other therapists.
Wow......$275 and they get everything? Does that include advertising and laundry too? How much do you want to hang onto these particular therapists? If you raise the rent, whether it be to $325 or $400 and they decided to leave, would you be disappointed, or would you welcome it as a chance to get other MT's in there who would pay more and possibly be more hardworking? The way I see it, these two are getting the benefit of your advertising, your hard work in the community and your good name. That is all worth an awful lot. I think it's time to sit down with them and have the meeting, as was suggested. But first, you need to decide what you are comfortable with. If these two therapists end up not being comfortable with that, then it may be time to find other therapists.
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 5:14 pm
jdcan
Post subject:
Re: Really need advice with my rent arrangements!
I also think that going from $275 to $400 is too far of a jump. As well as raising the rent incrementally, maybe you could suggest that those two therapists share a room, each with their own times or days of use. Then, you could rent the other room for a higher rent. It might take a while to find another person, though.
I also think that going from $275 to $400 is too far of a jump. As well as raising the rent incrementally, maybe you could suggest that those two therapists share a room, each with their own times or days of use. Then, you could rent the other room for a higher rent. It might take a while to find another person, though.
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 3:58 pm
nybor7
Post subject:
Re: Really need advice with my rent arrangements!
I thinnk you started out thinking you could be extremely fair and helpful and everyone else would have the work ethic you do.....It's been my experience(from pizzerias, to real estate agencies to operating rooms to massage therapists)....most don't...ok, some don't not most.Your rent was extrememly GREAT..but it is rent.My leasor has no right to tell me when and where I have to be after a massage....You COULD though make them employees and then could dictate what should be done on down time....You would all be doing community awareness for the company.I thnk in trying to be too nice and fair you have been walked on...although I am sure tha it is not done intentionally.Making them employees...or raising rent and keeping them I/C's is what I would do.Great luck to you...sounds as if you would be GREAt to work with.Robyn
I thinnk you started out thinking you could be extremely fair and helpful and everyone else would have the work ethic you do.....It's been my experience(from pizzerias, to real estate agencies to operating rooms to massage therapists)....most don't...ok, some don't not most.Your rent was extrememly GREAT..but it is rent.My leasor has no right to tell me when and where I have to be after a massage....You COULD though make them employees and then could dictate what should be done on down time....You would all be doing community awareness for the company.I thnk in trying to be too nice and fair you have been walked on...although I am sure tha it is not done intentionally.Making them employees...or raising rent and keeping them I/C's is what I would do.Great luck to you...sounds as if you would be GREAt to work with.Robyn
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 3:26 pm
Texas-gal
Post subject:
Re: Really need advice with my rent arrangements!
Quote:I have two massage therapists who are independent contractors and each pay $275 each for their own roomHi. I may be understanding this wrong, but to me, it already sounds like they are renters that just are happy to do what you ask.If I am wrong, please correct me. If that is the case, then I would think you would be able to keep things "as is" and just go up on the "rent" a bit at a time until you get to where you need to be. I can't imagine them leaving you or wanting to do anything different than has already been done, just because the prices go up, unless there is greener pasture somewhere else. From what it sounds like, you have some fairly content people working with you, since they never have given you a hard time in the past about "renting space for $275 each AND being told how to practice". But, like I say, maybe I am missing something up there in the post. I have read it 3 times, but I do admit to being somewhat dyslexic, so please point it out to me if I am still missing it.If this is the actual case, you could consider a sit down meeting with them to explain the situation of the business and that you will need to be raising the rent over the next two years. You could suggest that in 6 months, the rent is going to be raised to $325 and then in another 6 months it will go up to $375 and then in another 6 months (1 and 1/2 years from the date) it will cap at $400. Then you could leave it like this, until you find it needed to be raised again. You may want to suggest you would not raise the rent again for another two years, post-cap, or some such.Just an idea. But it would steadily raise their portion, give you peace of mind that you were getting to where you need to be and at the same time, give a little breather to the therapists, as well as giving them time to get used to the changes or to bail out. If they bail, then you'd probably have enough warning to find another to fill their shoes.Also, another thing to talk about in the sit down meeting would be to ask if they think they are going to leave, would they try to give you six months notice. Just a thought. Hope it helps!
I have two massage therapists who are independent contractors and each pay $275 each for their own room
Hi. I may be understanding this wrong, but to me, it already sounds like they are renters that just are happy to do what you ask.If I am wrong, please correct me. If that is the case, then I would think you would be able to keep things "as is" and just go up on the "rent" a bit at a time until you get to where you need to be. I can't imagine them leaving you or wanting to do anything different than has already been done, just because the prices go up, unless there is greener pasture somewhere else. From what it sounds like, you have some fairly content people working with you, since they never have given you a hard time in the past about "renting space for $275 each AND being told how to practice". But, like I say, maybe I am missing something up there in the post. I have read it 3 times, but I do admit to being somewhat dyslexic, so please point it out to me if I am still missing it.If this is the actual case, you could consider a sit down meeting with them to explain the situation of the business and that you will need to be raising the rent over the next two years. You could suggest that in 6 months, the rent is going to be raised to $325 and then in another 6 months it will go up to $375 and then in another 6 months (1 and 1/2 years from the date) it will cap at $400. Then you could leave it like this, until you find it needed to be raised again. You may want to suggest you would not raise the rent again for another two years, post-cap, or some such.Just an idea. But it would steadily raise their portion, give you peace of mind that you were getting to where you need to be and at the same time, give a little breather to the therapists, as well as giving them time to get used to the changes or to bail out. If they bail, then you'd probably have enough warning to find another to fill their shoes.Also, another thing to talk about in the sit down meeting would be to ask if they think they are going to leave, would they try to give you six months notice. Just a thought. Hope it helps!
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 12:21 pm
mush
Post subject:
Re: Really need advice with my rent arrangements!
Quote:The suite is 1404 sq ft and is divided into waiting room, two bathrooms, classroom, kitchenette and four treatment rooms.آ I have two massage therapists who are independent contractors and each pay $275 each for their own room and I use a third for my own practice and the fourth room is used as our common office. آ We share آ one appointment book and one phone between the three of us. آ The suite costs me approx $1500/mo to maintain between rent, CAM fee, utilities, taxes, insurance and the million incidentals that every business has. آ I provide EVERYTHING. آ Intake forms, gift certificates, decorations, cleaning, you name it, I do it all and am receiving only $550 in rent. آ آ I need to change the entire business arrangement with my renters. آ But how? آ I have considered raising the flat rate to $400 each for two of the rooms with use of the waiting area, bathroom, kitchenette and treatment room, and opening the space between the main office and my room giving me my own little suite of sorts. آ Also, if I change the strucrture, do they simply consider themselves renters and not use the business name Body Wisdom? آ Would they have their own brochures, sell their own gift certificates, maintain a completely separate identity? آ I want them to be autonomous but need to maintain some kind of control over the standards. آ And if I do keep them totally separate, آ doesn't that make us competitiors under one roof? آ If anyone has been in a similar situation, I would love to hear from you! آ I would love to hear some solutions!Thanks so much, Liz
i think this monster is manageable! ;D ;D
all 4 massage rooms should be in use. but i'll admit that i'm not sure if the 4th room is the 'main office' from your desciption.
rent should be raised, considering you provide everything. the notice you should give to your therapists should coincide with your rental agreement with them. if not otherwise specified, i'd give them 30-60 days notice that the rent will be increasing to amount you are comfortable with. however, going from $275 to $400 will probably be too far of a jump. perhaps $325-50 would be more suited, especially if you want them to stay (personalities, etc.)....
you also could be making money from your classroom space. yoga, reiki, aroma, couples massage instruction, peri-natal.... the possibilities are endless.
one point of contention: i understand your frustration, but you have blended and blurred the lines between an employee and the renter.
this is a more difficult problem.
i think you seriously need to consider whether you want to go from renter/IC to full-blown employees. you would control the entire essence of your business and be able to fulfill you need to mentor and teach and have mt's that are a reflection of what you want.
trying to be real here.... آ
The suite is 1404 sq ft and is divided into waiting room, two bathrooms, classroom, kitchenette and four treatment rooms.آ I have two massage therapists who are independent contractors and each pay $275 each for their own room and I use a third for my own practice and the fourth room is used as our common office. آ We share آ one appointment book and one phone between the three of us. آ The suite costs me approx $1500/mo to maintain between rent, CAM fee, utilities, taxes, insurance and the million incidentals that every business has. آ I provide EVERYTHING. آ Intake forms, gift certificates, decorations, cleaning, you name it, I do it all and am receiving only $550 in rent. آ آ I need to change the entire business arrangement with my renters. آ But how? آ I have considered raising the flat rate to $400 each for two of the rooms with use of the waiting area, bathroom, kitchenette and treatment room, and opening the space between the main office and my room giving me my own little suite of sorts. آ Also, if I change the strucrture, do they simply consider themselves renters and not use the business name Body Wisdom? آ Would they have their own brochures, sell their own gift certificates, maintain a completely separate identity? آ I want them to be autonomous but need to maintain some kind of control over the standards. آ And if I do keep them totally separate, آ doesn't that make us competitiors under one roof? آ If anyone has been in a similar situation, I would love to hear from you! آ I would love to hear some solutions!Thanks so much, Liz
i think this monster is manageable! ;D ;D
all 4 massage rooms should be in use. but i'll admit that i'm not sure if the 4th room is the 'main office' from your desciption.
rent should be raised, considering you provide everything. the notice you should give to your therapists should coincide with your rental agreement with them. if not otherwise specified, i'd give them 30-60 days notice that the rent will be increasing to amount you are comfortable with. however, going from $275 to $400 will probably be too far of a jump. perhaps $325-50 would be more suited, especially if you want them to stay (personalities, etc.)....
you also could be making money from your classroom space. yoga, reiki, aroma, couples massage instruction, peri-natal.... the possibilities are endless.
one point of contention: i understand your frustration, but you have blended and blurred the lines between an employee and the renter.
this is a more difficult problem.
i think you seriously need to consider whether you want to go from renter/IC to full-blown employees. you would control the entire essence of your business and be able to fulfill you need to mentor and teach and have mt's that are a reflection of what you want.
trying to be real here.... آ
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:03 am
Sandyolmt
Post subject:
Re: Really need advice with my rent arrangements!
Liz, I am sorry you are having to go through this. I have kept others from my business to keep things simple, as not to experience frustration like this. But, I think it time to take over the reigns of your business and have a meeting with all of them. It's time for a change and set down the new arragenment. Up the rent, do a split, whatever works best for you. Remember no one is going to care about your business the way you do. Explain that this is a business decision and if it doesn't suit them, you understand if they ned to go elsewhere. They will make that decision to stay or go. Also, if they are simply paying you rent, then they should be able to go and come as they please, unless you have a written agreeement otherwise. If I was paying rent somewhere it would totally offened me if someone was telling me I can't leave after a massage or do whatever I need to do outside of the office. It sounds like this rental situation is not going to work for you. Do whatever it takes to get your business back into your own hands. Your business is just like your baby, protect it way you can.
Liz, I am sorry you are having to go through this. I have kept others from my business to keep things simple, as not to experience frustration like this. But, I think it time to take over the reigns of your business and have a meeting with all of them. It's time for a change and set down the new arragenment. Up the rent, do a split, whatever works best for you. Remember no one is going to care about your business the way you do. Explain that this is a business decision and if it doesn't suit them, you understand if they ned to go elsewhere. They will make that decision to stay or go. Also, if they are simply paying you rent, then they should be able to go and come as they please, unless you have a written agreeement otherwise. If I was paying rent somewhere it would totally offened me if someone was telling me I can't leave after a massage or do whatever I need to do outside of the office. It sounds like this rental situation is not going to work for you. Do whatever it takes to get your business back into your own hands. Your business is just like your baby, protect it way you can.
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 7:32 am
Body_Wisdom_Center
Post subject:
Really need advice with my rent arrangements!
I am at the end of my rope with frustration and have done it to myself and don't know how to change it. آ I have created a terrible business arrangement with the MTs who rent from me and آ am worn down from trying to resolve this on my own. آ If one of you creative, smart and supportive therapists out there can help me, I will be ever so grateful!
I own a massage center called: The Body Wisdom Center for Massage & Well-Being. آ It is آ housed in a beautiful suite on the top floor of a professional building in the middle of a prime business district in our town. آ Someone once called it "cadillac real estate". The suite is 1404 sq ft and is divided into waiting room, two bathrooms, classroom, kitchenette and four treatment rooms. آ We have a high-end clientele who feel safe and comfortable in our space, also because I stress professionalism with my staff. آ I have two massage therapists who are independent contractors and each pay $275 each for their own room and I use a third for my own practice and the fourth room is used as our common office. آ We share آ one appointment book and one phone between the three of us. آ
The suite costs me approx $1500/mo to maintain between rent, CAM fee, utilities, taxes, insurance and the million incidentals that every business has. آ I provide EVERYTHING. آ Intake forms, gift certificates, decorations, cleaning, you name it, I do it all and am receiving only $550 in rent. آ Yes, I know this is an unhealthy arrangement and I realize that I may have had control or mother issues when I set it up. آ Initially I was happy to provide so much because I wanted to mentor, teach and train sueforum.xxx massage therapists. آ The trouble is that no one wants to work! آ They come in, do a massage and leave only to return for their next آ massage in two hours. آ I have been extremely generous with them in every possible way, classes, training, etc, but am now becoming resentful. آ Nevertheless, I take full responsibility for having set it up like this. آ
Bear with me, there's just a tiny bit more. I am very very active in networking in my community. آ Chamber committees, volunteer everywhere, PR committees at hospitals, toastmasters etc. آ I organized a tri-county Massage Therapy Tsunami Relief Fundraiser and have a somewhat high profile in our community. آ The therapists all benefit from this exposure. آ Mind you, I all this community involvement because I love it! آ I am passionate about bodywork and helping others, but I آ have created a monster that is using me up emotionally and financially. آ
I need to change the entire business arrangement with my renters. آ But how? آ I have considered raising the flat rate to $400 each for two of the rooms with use of the waiting area, bathroom, kitchenette and treatment room, and opening the space between the main office and my room giving me my own little suite of sorts. آ (I am busy & did 57 massages last month plus I teach and have my own line of essential oils...I need the space!) I have considered a 30/70 split but that will come back to bite me when they get lazy or take vacation.
Also, if I change the strucrture, do they simply consider themselves renters and not use the business name Body Wisdom? آ Would they have their own brochures, sell their own gift certificates, maintain a completely separate identity? آ I want them to be autonomous but need to maintain some kind of control over the standards. آ And if I do keep them totally separate, آ doesn't that make us competitiors under one roof? آ If anyone has been in a similar situation, I would love to hear from you! آ I would love to hear some solutions!
Thanks so much,
Liz
I am at the end of my rope with frustration and have done it to myself and don't know how to change it. آ I have created a terrible business arrangement with the MTs who rent from me and آ am worn down from trying to resolve this on my own. آ If one of you creative, smart and supportive therapists out there can help me, I will be ever so grateful!
I own a massage center called: The Body Wisdom Center for Massage & Well-Being. آ It is آ housed in a beautiful suite on the top floor of a professional building in the middle of a prime business district in our town. آ Someone once called it "cadillac real estate". The suite is 1404 sq ft and is divided into waiting room, two bathrooms, classroom, kitchenette and four treatment rooms. آ We have a high-end clientele who feel safe and comfortable in our space, also because I stress professionalism with my staff. آ I have two massage therapists who are independent contractors and each pay $275 each for their own room and I use a third for my own practice and the fourth room is used as our common office. آ We share آ one appointment book and one phone between the three of us. آ
The suite costs me approx $1500/mo to maintain between rent, CAM fee, utilities, taxes, insurance and the million incidentals that every business has. آ I provide EVERYTHING. آ Intake forms, gift certificates, decorations, cleaning, you name it, I do it all and am receiving only $550 in rent. آ Yes, I know this is an unhealthy arrangement and I realize that I may have had control or mother issues when I set it up. آ Initially I was happy to provide so much because I wanted to mentor, teach and train sueforum.xxx massage therapists. آ The trouble is that no one wants to work! آ They come in, do a massage and leave only to return for their next آ massage in two hours. آ I have been extremely generous with them in every possible way, classes, training, etc, but am now becoming resentful. آ Nevertheless, I take full responsibility for having set it up like this. آ
Bear with me, there's just a tiny bit more. I am very very active in networking in my community. آ Chamber committees, volunteer everywhere, PR committees at hospitals, toastmasters etc. آ I organized a tri-county Massage Therapy Tsunami Relief Fundraiser and have a somewhat high profile in our community. آ The therapists all benefit from this exposure. آ Mind you, I all this community involvement because I love it! آ I am passionate about bodywork and helping others, but I آ have created a monster that is using me up emotionally and financially. آ
I need to change the entire business arrangement with my renters. آ But how? آ I have considered raising the flat rate to $400 each for two of the rooms with use of the waiting area, bathroom, kitchenette and treatment room, and opening the space between the main office and my room giving me my own little suite of sorts. آ (I am busy & did 57 massages last month plus I teach and have my own line of essential oils...I need the space!) I have considered a 30/70 split but that will come back to bite me when they get lazy or take vacation.
Also, if I change the strucrture, do they simply consider themselves renters and not use the business name Body Wisdom? آ Would they have their own brochures, sell their own gift certificates, maintain a completely separate identity? آ I want them to be autonomous but need to maintain some kind of control over the standards. آ And if I do keep them totally separate, آ doesn't that make us competitiors under one roof? آ If anyone has been in a similar situation, I would love to hear from you! آ I would love to hear some solutions!
Thanks so much,
Liz
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 7:21 am
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