For those that work from home

[Boo Boo Kitty]

I completed school a couple of years ago however I've not yet worked in my field, instead continued on working as an admin because the money was good. One of the reasons I went to school besides the fact that I always wanted to do this was because it offered me the potential to finally work for myself. Now recently I've been layed off so while I draw unemployment, I thought this was the best time ever to try and start my own business. Obviously I'm still looking for another admin position and if the right one comes along with the right amount of money, I will most likey take it but in this economy I'm not getting any offers. This leads to me ask others that run a home business is financially worth it? I'd need atleast 8 clients per week to maintain what I make now drawing unemployment which is enough to survive wihout much left. What is the average number of massages that you perform in a week, a month? Are they mostly clients that come to your home? How long did it take you to build the clientele that you have? Any additonal advice that you can offer?

I own my home and I have a small studio that I've had set up for the past couple of years. I've already researched what I need to do to have a home business and have all my applications in for a home occupation permit and residential business license. I've remodeled the guest bath and I'm doing landscaping and outside painting to upgrade the outside and make it presentable and welcoming to clients. So I'm on my way. My benefits run out in August and I should have my permit by then atleast. I just worry if I will be able to survive on the income. Forutnately I have a live in boyfriend who is backing me 100% on this and willing to help financially as much as he can.

Thanks in advance for your feedback and I look forward to your replies!

 

[joliee]

For those that work from home

It took me years to build my practice, but I did not have any real financial backing. I see an average of about 15-18/week, with some weeks being in the 24 mark and some being around 14. I have an office, don't own a home and don't work out of my apt. I have a lot of debt. I encourage you to make a go of it while you have time and a second income to help you out. Everyone's practice is different, but I am pretty sure that I was stuck on an average of 7/week for a year or more... I'd have to look to give you accurate numbers and don't have time to do that right now, but I'll try to remember this thread and come back to it when I get time to do that.

Best of luck on your new venture.

 

[vlost1]

For those that work from home

I have a room set up in my home right now. I have been practicing for 2 1/2 years. I can tell you that last year I did 9 massages for the month. No it isn't a lot. But i do live in a smaller town that is hurting for money (we were all over the news, 20/20, people magazine, jay elno, rachel ray, etc wilmington ohio.) I do advertise but again being a small town that is hard too. No body reads the newspaper, so you have to find other ways. I do a lot of free chair massage events to get my name out there. I'm still trying to build up more clients, and this year is better so far than last year. It takes work, i'm not gonna lie. Getting your name out there is almost a second job. Perks of working at home, you can write off part of your mortgage/rent, utilities, home improvements, cell phone, internet, all that stuff. So that is a nice little perk. I enjoy it and don't have any plans to change. I just hope i will eventually have more clients.But please don't let my situation discourage you.

 

[Arwen]

For those that work from home

I started out at a wellness center right out of school. I was afraid to quit my day job, but I did it anyway and took the plunge. I would sit in the office 40 hours a week waiting for the phone to ring. I stayed late, came in early and did whatever it took to get people on my table. I had a pretty steady following of 20-30 clients a week after the first year and a half to two years. I was getting 50% commission at that time and was on a payroll.

After 4 1/2 years total at the wellness center I had hit the ceiling. The owner would not raise my prices, or my commission and she wouldn't allow me to make better use of my downtime by booking clients into blocks of time permitting me to leave earlier or come in later, so my only option was to go out on my own. I had a steady client base and I was immediately seeing 10-20 clients from home and making at least the same amount or twice as much money as I had as an employee.

3 years ago I relocated to a rural community and lost a lot of my clients now that I'm 25 miles further away. I've been distracted by a lot of new responsibilities and would like to get back into the swing of things and build a new practice from my home. I currently see approximately 5 clients a week at my home and that is just really part time for me. I'd like to increase to about 10-15 again.