Time for a change?

[bigbossmamma]

???O.K. I'm in a really successful chiro office, busy everyday! We do a 70/30 split, they bill all insurance, I use all office equipment (no extra charge) and we all get along. We refer to each other. Whats wrong you say? Well an ice cream palor is going in next door. I've put up with contruction for a few months now (sounds like there coming through the wall) and I'm really concerned about the noise level when they open. Also sometimes I feel like I could ADD more to my business if I got my own place. I do mostly therapuetic massages and alot of those patients are billed through insurance coverage while recieving chiropractic care, I would one hate to lose them and two feel bad that they didn't recieve a much needed massage because I wasn't there. Any advise would be helpful.Thanks, Pam

 

[kimmywimmy]

First I would say that you can't think about what kind of care those clients would receive when you're gone.  Hopefully the chiro would be smart enough to interview and hire a therapist that offers the same kind of care/treatment that you offered those clients.  You can't make a decision based on those thoughts.  Second, if you've put up with the construction, you've made it through the tough part.  Sure that business isn't going to be as quiet as a book store, but if you've dealt with the construction, an ice-cream shop shouldn't top that noise.  Third, it may seem like the grass could be greener.....but trust me, it isn't always.  In fact, rarely is the grass greener on the other side.  Sounds to me like you have an almost perfect set up!  And I say almost because nothing is perfect.  You get great pay, you have great clients, you're busy, and you get along with the staff.My question is this....Why the hell would you leave all that??    I know other therapists that would die for that kind of position.  I say you'd be crazy to leave.... But that's just my thought  ;D

 

[????? answers]

I'm not sure if I would trade all that to go out on my own either.  I used to work in an ice cream shop when I was in my first year of college.  It's not nearly as noisy as you would think.  Well, it wasn't that noisy at the shop I worked at.  During the day, it is SLOOOOW.  When kids get off school around 3pm, it gets a little busy.  Then it dies down again near dinner time and picks up AFTER dinner.  I'm not saying that it would be the same at the ice cream shop next door to you, but I'm just letting you know what I experienced WORKING at an ice cream shop.  Construction sucks.  I know!  There is a Darque Tan next door to the salon I work at.  Massaging DURING their construction phase wasn't that pleasant.  I thought they were going to drill into my room.  Even with the hammering, sometimes it seemed like all the stuff on my shelves would be knocked over.  Luckily, nothing like that happened.  Just noise.  LOTS of noise.  And, it sounds like the construction is almost over at that ice cream shop?  Don't let it get ya down.  

 

[Hayleigh]

Time for a change?

Your 70/30 split is you get the 70%? It does sound like it's a good working environment you have already, except for the noise (if you get 30% it doesn't sound so good)

I agree with terab that you can't be concerned about what will happen to the clients if you leave - there will probably be another therapist there to treat them, probably not as good as you in some ways, and possibly better in some - we all offer something different.

Once you make a decision, tell your current clients - you may not loose all of them, the insurance billing might not be their main motivation for seeing you (though it may be)  Do you have something like a compete clause which is why you think you have to leave your clients?  You may find you're not meant to go to another chiro rather than setting up your own business.

 

[j-man]

Not to make light of your situation, but I'd be more concerned about how much ice cream I'd end up eating with the place right next door!  Monday, vanilla, Tuesday, chocolate.  Yikes!  

 

[who am i?]

If you really like where you are I would suggest you wait to experience the noise level in the ice cream shop before you decide to move.  If the construction is almost done you are most likely through the roughest part.  I've had two other spaces where next door construction noise was incredible but once the businesses settled in the noise level was fairly normal.  There are ways to help deaden disruptive noise.  Possibly if you take a moment to explain to the management/owners of the ice cream shop their impact on your business they might be willing to work with you.  You might want to go over and request that they not locate any speakers or trashcans on the otherside of the wall your treatment room shares with their shop.  If you catch them before they start placement of these things it is far easier for them to make any changes necessary to accomodate your requests.  If they are unwilling to work with you then enlisting the help of your chiropractor and management company might be helpful.If, in fact, it is time for you to move on to your own practice then now is the time to start looking at your opportunities and comparing them to what you already have.  I agree with Terab and melb about not worrying about the chiro clients their care will work out as it needs to.  You mention adding more to your practice, what would you do differently?  What type of space would you need to accomodate these needs?   I would encourage you to write a business plan to help you know what you want and need.  Answer questions like: Would the cost outweigh the income?  Would you need $$ for deposits and/or equipment?  Where do you want to be located?  How would you market and draw in clients?  The Business Mastery book has a section prepared to help MT's write business plans.  It would be worth perusal.While your current set up sounds good, if you are considering leaving then there is something missing.  Possibly if you can pinpoint what's missing you can add it in to where you are and make a good set up even better.

 

[mew2fling]

Time for a change?

Thank you for your replies! I know it sounds crazy on paper. My split is the 70%. I do girl's night outs and birthday parties at peoples homes also. So I was thinking I could host them in my own facility and expand on that. I also don't have water or a sink in my room, with limited space. So pretty much anything but massage is all I'm equipped to do. A business plan is a great idea! That sure would be realistic. Thanks, Pam

 

[loh m]

Time for a change?

I know other therapists that would die for that kind of position.

I'm one of them.

However, I do understand if you're wanting to branch out on your own for a bigger sense of accomplishment, responsibility, or what-have-you. I dream of one day having my own building, fully thriving practice, and to sell it when I decide to retire.

 

[newvisionjds]

Hi, I have to agree with the the replies up there.  Even the one with "eating" the ice cream!Seriously though, it sounds like you have a good deal.  However, if you plan to move, you may have a wonderful opportunity to mentor someone into your position.  It would help your peace of mind for the clients, the doctor in the office, the clients and another therapist who may be looking for a set up just like you are currently at.Hope this helps.