Building clientele

[hippie6irl10]

I am being really screwed over by the current company that I am working for (wild guesses, anyone?) and I am looking to find a new place to work.
The problem is the only option available to me right now isn't normal employment, it's rental spaces. I have a pretty steady clientele where I am now, but I had to sign a legal document promising that if I left the company I wouldn't take any of my clients with me, so if I were to tell them where I went, more than likely these owners would chase after me with a lawyer for all I'm worth. I really want to get out of the place I'm stuck in, but not at the risk of being out of a job.
Bottom line; I need to know how to build up my own clientele, and I am grateful for any and all ideas! Please help!

 

[HangingChad]

Building clientele

I am being really screwed over by the current company that I am working for (wild guesses, anyone?) and I am looking to find a new place to work.
The problem is the only option available to me right now isn't normal employment, it's rental spaces. I have a pretty steady clientele where I am now, but I had to sign a legal document promising that if I left the company I wouldn't take any of my clients with me, so if I were to tell them where I went, more than likely these owners would chase after me with a lawyer for all I'm worth. I really want to get out of the place I'm stuck in, but not at the risk of being out of a job.
Bottom line; I need to know how to build up my own clientele, and I am grateful for any and all ideas! Please help!

Sounds to me that you won't be able to build a client base until you are out of there.

If I were in that position, I would consider taking on any job (even if it wasn't massage) or part-time something else, while looking for massage work and networking - building my base. I would think you would need and want a decent client base before renting a place on your own, unless you feel that by advertising you could get enough clients to pay your bills quickly.

Good luck. I think you know it is overdue for you to leave that place where you are. I think you will blossom once unfettered by all that crap there!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Building clientele

Thanks, dragonfly. I did think about just taking another job, if anything just to get out of there.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Building clientele

I agree with dragonfly, you will need to advertise a lot if you are going to be building your clientele for your own practice. Also think about where the company you currently work for advertises... where do your clients see their advertising? Just thought you might want to be thinking about where your advertising dollars would do the most good once you separate yourself from the current employer and strike out on your own.

Please keep us posted!

 

[jeffinerg123]

Building clientele

Most non-compete clause contracts simply state that you will not actively solicit their clients when you leave- ie - steal a mailing list and contact them or tell them you are leaving and suggest they see you thenand give them your contact info.

They can't really control if the client "finds" you on their own. Check out the wording if you signed something and just stay within those guidelines.

If a rental situation is a good deal for you, you might want to take a leap of faith that they WILL find you somehow.

That is why you will see ads in your local paper when stylists go to a new salon - they usually run a picture of the new stylist aalong with a big welcome banner.
This is done in the hopes that the stylists old clients will see it and come to the new location.

'Course some stylists and MT's (not me) do give out their personal business cards to clients on the sly "just in case the client needs to reach them with any questions".

 

[Bon Bon]

Building clientele

Sorry, but you are not getting screwed over by anyone. You are an adult, you have choices.

Secondly, I don't see any of these rental opportunities advertising for you or providing you with a stream of clientele you could hope to one day tell you moved somewhere else. Why aren't these landlords screwing you over but your employer is?

This is America -- the land of opportunity. Risk = Reward -- or at least it might for another few years. You have no risk working for your employer, and you seem to resent not getting much reward. YOu are getting the rewards afforded under their business model.

Yet taking the risk of going your own, renting a place and advertising seems frightening because it might not pay off. But that is how it works...can't have it both ways.

 

[Tyler N]

Building clientele

So I did get a call back from someone about renting a space, and it all sounds great so far. I can start a few days a week, maybe 2 or 3 and go from there, so I can make sure I have a good base before quitting altogether. I am going to see the place in a few days and talk face to face with the persons who already work there about some of the knitty gritty details.

Squash, I did look over my paperwork and the details said that anyone that was already a client of mine when I started could be "taken" with me when I left, but that anyone who came in recruited by the company, like a walk in, belongs to them. As far as my clients looking for me goes, I am just going to let some other therapists know where I will be when I go, then refer my clients to them when I leave. That way if they want to stick with my treatments they know where to go and wouldn't technically be me telling them where I went.

I also checked the website that my state's massage board hosts and my employer is listed as my address, so I can e-mail them to update that, and add my name on to the AMTA's find a therapist section. The place I am going for doesn't advertise, but I do have the freedom to make my own connections and put myself out there how I want to, so I am already searching for Chiropractor's, Physical Therapists and Personal Trainers so I can try to start some referrals going, which is a good win-win.

So that's it so far. Thanks everyone!

 

[roger_in_oly]

Building clientele

Can you put an add in your local paper saying you use to be an MT at X Co. and you have moved to a new place?

 

[jusme]

Building clientele

If you start advertising, include your picture in the ad. Former clients will recognize you and may choose to come see you at the new location. I've seen this work GREAT for several MTs in my area.