What is considered good?

[Lux Marmont]

What is considered as a good start in the massage business? I just started at the place I am working at. Been about 3 weeks I guess. I had a good saturday last weekend with 4 massages, 2 this last saturday. Have probably done 14 in the last 3 weeks. While it's not spectacular, I feel pretty good about it for just starting out and already have repeat clients booking appointments. Especially coming into this without any clientele and not being known yet. The shop is really small. Just the owner who does hair, manicures/pedicures/facials and then myself. I really don't have anything to compare to since I don't know many that have started working massage seriously out of my class. 2 that did get a room together ditched it after only 2 months for lack of clients and not being able to cover costs. Also I know some students who graduated before I did got out of it pretty quickly after realizing costs of starting were high and not having clients/money coming in to cover it and just gave up. So for those who have been in the biz, can you tell me if this is a good start or not? My thought is that if clients are already coming in and returning after this short of a time then it will definitely bloom. I may be wrong. The owner and I just sent out postcards with our new special for Mother's day and will run specials probably every couple of months. I am excited but don't want to get high expectations only to have them burst on me.

 

[qwerqwer]

That is excellent, Twylight!

The reason some people go under and give up so fast is because they bite off more than they can chew, to start with. I started with outcalls, so that I wouldn't have a huge rent to cover. (Rent around here *is* huge!) I needed to earn money, and I wasn't willing to take out a small business loan. I'm doing this debt free and turned a profit the first year.

You sound like you declined the huge risk factors, and you are seeing quite a few clients in very short order. Just don't jump into expenses you aren't sure you can recover quickly, and you'll do really, really good. You've averaged almost 5 clients a week in your first 3 week!!!!!! That, I believe, is well above average.

 

[I pity duh Tardlings]

I agree with Sharon, I think you're doing pretty well!

 

[enveem]

Thanks guys for the support. I really feel so too. Course all the money I've made so far has all went back into supplies and printing costs. I figure that's fine since it will pay off in the long run. I'll be all set (or almost) with supplies for when the specials hit (fingers crossed) and wedding season gets going since she runs bridal packages. Looking forward to it and to having fun with it.

 

[2 days left !]

I agree with the others. Seems that you are starting off well.
It takes time and as long as you can get up to the clientel you need, that is really all that matters (IMO).
Return clients are a great sign.
95% of my business are regular returning clients - I like the stability.

Keep up the good work!

 

[ashcowgirl]

very simple formula-
enjoying work + turning profit = good business
sounds lie you are there to me! good work!

 

[Sohan]

It sounds like you're on the right track! Congratulations on your start in the business When I graduated, I bounced around from job to job, finally settled in at a spa and still do some work on occassion, but in that time, I managed to get a few clients of my own on the side, and then in July 2004 I left the spa (except for a very rare fill in) and was doing housecalls for a while, but in October 2004 I opened my own office and I love it. Things are still kind of slow, but seeing where I am now compared to a year ago, I'm on the right track.

The key is to be patient. Things (usually) don't happen overnight, and I think that's why a lot of people get frustrated and throw in the towel. They're not seeing themselves busy and making lots of money and having tons of clients right away, and generally, you won't. Things take time. I've been flying solo for a year and a half now and I feel I'm right on track with where I need to be.

Keep doing what you're doing, it sounds like you're doing great already!