Anniversary! I'm 3 month in business :-)

[wonny435]

I thought I share some of my experiences with you, after renting a room at a hair salon for 3 month.

I seriously would not have thought that this is a heaven for no-shows, late arrivals and clients who are looking for the other kind of service. One of my ads is on craigs list. I don't post my phone number, but a link to my website for contact information. My website does not leave the slightest doubt that I'm a serious professional, not that other kind of body worker. Yet, I still have guys calling me, asking if this is an 'asian' massage and all the other little questions that reveal their real needs.

I have also found that getting little or no tip does not necessary reflect on the quality of massage you give. It is rather dependent on how much money they have to spare, and the assumption that this is sort of a medical treatment. On the other hand, if you get a tip over $20 it always means that they were really happy. Recently I have posted a little hint on my website regarding tips and it seems I get at least $5 now. Yay :roll: . I had to control myself the other day not to hug that one client and sob 'thank you', 'thank you' when he gave me a $35 tip.

I had my first client with an erection the other day, too. He apologized as soon as I turned him supine, before I even noticed it. I did not think he was a creep, so I assured him that it is quiete normal and can happen due to the deep relaxation and I told him to think about his mother. He said 'ewww', but it worked.

Craigslist has produced only male clients so far. But none of them were creeps. I also realized that I can not see a potential creep in every guy coming thru the door, and that looks can be quiete deceiving. So far all of them are just the nicest people.

What else...? Oh, not taking credit card payments did not ever keep a client from making an appointment.

Carpet and a doulbe layer of heavy curtain on the inside of a massage room door, along a cheap fan (noisy) for white noise will seriously help toning out the chatter from the stylists and their clients. I have positioned that little fan under the table, close to and pointing paralell towards the head rest. It seems that ever since I placed that fan there, clients harldy ever get a stuffy nose. Could plain air circulation really make a difference?

I registered a business name with my county in January, and a few weeks later got a letter from a tax assesor. How about that. They want to know the value of the inventory I'm using, so they can tax me on that. Furtunately I don't have much, but please - give me a break. I already paid taxes when I bought that stuff. They tax you to death here. Oh, btw, if you get a letter like that, don't ignore it. I almost did. My accountant advised me that they will charge you the minimum amount if you ignore them. With only a few items, my chances are I don't have to pay anything at all.

I also realized that you have to believe in yourself more than ever when starting that business. I'm not an outgoing person, very shy and privat. The thought of having my own business really paralized me at times, just out of fear of being so out in the public, and having to deal with so many strangers. My advise to those who also feel like that, just do it. Just start, start small, one step at a time. I'm already a different person than I was 3 month ago. I'm lucky enough not to have the pressure of making a certain amount, and I'm growing into it, slowly but surely. It's just as fulfilling to me as I thought it would be.

 

[ElleZ]

I had my first client with an erection the other day, too. He apologized as soon as I turned him supine, before I even noticed it. I did not think he was a creep, so I assured him that it is quiete normal and can happen due to the deep relaxation and I told him to think about his mother. He said 'ewww', but it worked.

I never thought of the mother trick - GREAT idea!

well, congrats on your first 3 months, sounds like you've learned alot. I am coming up on my 4 yr anniversary, and I too agree that owning a business has made me a different person... hopefully it's for the better! :

 

[USS Mikey D]

Sounds like you're doing pretty well for such a new start Ms.Simon, but it looks like you are doing good so far!

Thanks for sharing your tips and experiences here so that other people just starting can benefit from your advice too!

 

[justin b]

How neat to read about your first few months of experience! Thanks for sharing it all and I hope all continues to go smoothly!

:woohoo:

 

[momofosho420]

Congrats on your successes! Sounds like there has been a lot of personal growth in this time!!! Continued success to you. I am concerned about the craigslist thing though and would encourage you to reconsider this form of advertising. You say that the only calls for people looking to satisfy "other needs" have come from this listing. Also, you have only gotten male clients from this form of advertising. Even though they may not all have revealed themselves as creeps.....that could be yet to come. Certainly, it's possible that it may not happen at all. I would NEVER advertise massage on craigslist in my area because the majority of the "massage" being advertised is not massage, if you know what I mean. I would not want to be among that company and leave myself open to having "clients" confuse my legitimate massage with their other questionable activities. So....just a word of caution and perhaps something to consider.

Congratulations once again on all you have learned and all of your growth. Isn't it wonderful that you learn things that you never anticipated???

 

[AZMI]

Sounds like you're doing very well and know it takes time. I've seen several therapists quit after only 2 months and go get a "real" job.
I was also wondering about Craigslist, so I actually just went and looked. I'm kind of ashamed to admit I'm not sure which are legit :shocked:
It does sound like you found a better way to advertise with the link to the obvious legit site. Hmm, maybe see how many of them come back. If they didn't get what they were looking for...

Anyway, welcome and good luck/much success.