WHAT WORKS for YOU!

[x.ILoveLeeS.x]

I'd like to start this thread in hopes that the info shared can give us all, and those who are not sure where to start when looking for a job in massage,  an idea  of what works for others.  Example:What area or industry pertaining to massage/bodywork do you most prefer to work in and what are your pros & cons.  What do you like best, what do you like least.SpaGymSports settingChiroWellness CenterOut CallsSpa PartiesHospitalThus far I have worked for Chiro & Spa, while working on establishing my own clients.Pros & ConsChiro   -  Pro :  Great experience in understanding the anatomy, muscles as it relates to injuries etc.  Con : pay isn't that great.Spa - Pro - Nice atmosphere, I learned how to do certain spa treatments - variety of clientelle, more pay than Chiro.     Con : must split pay.

 

[Billy G]

I have done outcalls, worked in gyms and my own office.Outcalls:  Pros:  Low overhead.  Cons:  lugging the table, clients don't respect your time, lots of STUFF to lug, pets jumping on you and the table, unshoveled walkways in the winter, lugging up/down steps, time to drive to and from, plus set-up time, and "chat" time......all in all not a lot of $$$ for the time.  Gym:  Pros:  no overhead.  don't have to worry too much about getting the clients in the door.  don't have to collect the $$, order supplies, etc.  Cons:  At the mercy of others to schedule appointments and get it right.  At the mercy of others to drum up business (not entirely).  Split the pay.  My own office:  Pros:  Make up my own schedule.  Make all the decisions from location of office, color of sheets, type of music, brand of lotion/oil, ability to add/subtract treatments as you feel fits the needs of clients.  Option to take more time with a client at no additional charge if you like.  Ability to decide how much time to allow between clients.  Freedom to market to the type of client you prefer.  Once the expenses are met, you make 100%!  The list is endless!Cons:  It's a financial responsibility.  Cost of EVERYTHING is yours!  Working alone can be lonely.  You must be advertiser, bookkeeper, supply orderer, laundry person, receptionist, etc.  Of course everything has its pros and cons.  In the end, we must all do what we're comfortable with and what helps us meet our financial obligations and personal career goals.  It is nice to share each other's experiences though and appreciate each other's differences.

 

[Trust Me]

WHAT WORKS for YOU!

I have done beach massage, spa and now have my own place...Beach Massage Pros: clients come to you, no laundryBeach Massage Cons: Sweaty clients, trying not to sweat ON your clients, massaging to the tunes of Jimmy Buffett, over and over, low perceneforum.xxxe, sandy feet, wet bathing suitsSpa Pros: clients come to you, no laundrySpa Cons: too numerous to mention at the particular spa I worked at... in general, no control over quality and professionalismOwn Place Pros: Freedom! free to design the room, the treatments, the prices, the hours and offer the highest quality without having anyone complain about the costOwn Place Cons: Down time, marketing, responsibilityThat said, I would always recommend to a new MT that they explore working for someone else before starting their own place, if only to learn what you don't want.

 

[Pompal 09.]

WHAT WORKS for YOU!

I think we are going to notice a real trend here...of course everyone is different and what might be a pro to someone is going to be a con to someone else and vice-versa... I will come back to answer but this is a great topic.

 

[YanksFan]

I have only had my own business...fresh out of school!Pros: Control over everything! Can't beat that. I love it. Designing my room, bookkeeping, laundry (yep, still like to do my sheets), making appointments (ok, not a whole lot so far, but's its growing), marketing...Cons: Marketing (it's in both places), paying my rent (first month I made enough to pay it by myself!!!) Biggest Pro: My husband  ;D for giving me the oppurtunity to have a career I really wanted to do and supporting me emotionally and financially as I build my practice. I am truely blessed.

 

[ShaneTalbert.com]

Interesting thread!Out Calls-Pros:  I get to keep the profit and work around my schedule.Cons:  Three flights of stairs, lack of parking, and that room that was supposed to be big enough for the table apparently didn't include the rest of the furniture in it.I work for a chiro office located in a gym, so...Gym-Pros:  Abundant clientele, clients that have more drive to get better than to whine about their circumstances, laundry service, receptionist, the "Kid's Club" parents get cheap babysitting while they receive their massage.Cons:  "You guys don't mind if I'm a little bit sweaty, right?", low pay.Chiro-Pros:  It's awesome to be able to teach clients about their bodies and watch them improve on a regular basis, insurance allows for people who normally couldn't afford to come in as often as they need to do so, laundry service, working with a positive team focused on helping people live better, learning something new every day, receptionist, getting paid to market myself with chair massage, laundry service.Cons:  Dingbat receptionists with high turnover that mess up scheduling and say the wrong things, low pay, the focus is all about chiro and massage is secondary,  scheduling massages back to back and always ending up running behind.I think eventually I'd like to have my own place.  While my son is still little it's nice to have my scheduling and marketing done for me, and the back to back scheduling means I'm home by 2pm so I can spend more time at the park!  Katykangaroo

 

[c-dra]

WHAT WORKS for YOU!

Hotel Outcallsros:No laundry, can charge higher rates, parking often comped, large tips, someone from the hotel always knows you are there.Cons:Have to be available at a moment's notice, some hotels require that you pay out a % to the concierge, can't make personal plans for fear of missing work.Sole Proprietorros:Schedule own hours, spend extra time with clients when neccessary, choose own decor and products, can be selective of clients, all profit is yours.Cons:All bills are your responsibility, downtime, laundry, bookkeeping.

 

[Laura _*_ xO]

Outcalls (I do just conventions, shows in town on short schedules)Pros:  Meet some neat people, forces you to adapt to a new environment.Cons: Sometimes safety is an issue, people not as time conscious, setting is out of your control mostly.SpaPros:  Nice environment, clientele ready to be pampered and relaxed, having a receptionist. Cons:  $ sharing (although if you get a good deal out there it may be worth it), scheduling snafus by front desk, lack of control sometimes.Spa PartiesPros:  It's fun to party!  eat, drink, be pampered.  Provides variety.  Can make excellent money.Cons:  A lot of work to set up and perform, mine have no set $ guarantee per party, feel sales-y sometimes, people don't RSVP.