Going full-time (hopefully)!

[michele_cat_cyprus]

Hi All- It's been a while since I last posted! I missed you guys! I hope everyone is well. Unfortunately and fortunately I was laid off 2 weeks ago from my fullt-time job and now have the ability I've wanted for a long time to do what I love (massage) as a career. I must admit, as much as I want this, I'm scared. I'm in the process of buying my first home and need for my passion to translate into financial fulfillment (and some health/dental benefits) as well. I'm focusing on hotel spas and hospitals as my target areas. Any experiences in these industries? Any experience with escaping the daily bump-n-grind for career autonomy? I know you all are always good for encouragment when it's needed (like now). Thanks as always.

 

[drip]

I left a 40 hour per week, regular salary paycheck to do what I love. I have never been happier. I used to dread going to work and now I love working. I work at a spa and do some independent work. The spa I work at opened about a year ago and is part of a salon that has been around for several years. It was a slow start, but things have picked up. If you are looking at hospitals most in my area require National Cert. If the spa has been around long enough they should be able to tell you what current therapists are making. It can be scary sometimes especially when I have a slow week, but in the end the happiness I have doing what I love is worth it. Good luck!

 

[Woooolfff]

Thanks much!!

 

[comander bioch]

Whoo Hoo! Good for you!

It's scary making the leep, but hopefully if you are getting any unemployment or severance it will help you during that trasition of finding a massage job.

Keep us posted, Hotep!

 

[Joe in texas]

Most therapists fail to make a business plan und thus end up not knowing what they need to make to sustain themselves. This is key to any success. Even if its just a rudimentary one you will want to establish a realistic number of session you need (and can) do per week and what you need to charge, then focus on manifesting them. Even if you work for a spa, you still need to know what you have to make. Most spas cannot afford to pay you what you can earn independently because their overhead is so much greater. You probably would do well establishing your own clientele as well.

Finding the right clientele is really important. Often you will find that you attract a certain demographic of client. That might be because of who you are or who you can empathize with. Find our who you can relate to. On the other hand it's really hard to do everything for everyone and it will dilute your communication attempts.

I have found that putting myself in client's shoes and addressing the problems they might have directly is more effective than emphasizing my skills. Speaking their language and communicating with them in through the channels they use is the best way.

Finding one or more niches and focusing on providing them with the service they need is a way to make yourself the number one resource for that particular group. Let's say you have a lot of seniors in your area and can focus on their needs (probably not deep tissue) or it's a young families (pregnancy massage) or there are many traveling business people etc. (they might need a massage in the evening or early morning or be dealing with jetlag.

Every group tends to get their information from different sources. Try to establish the source that seems to be the main go-to point for a particular group. For example to get the traveling business people, you should become friends with the hotel front desk and concierge. The seniors might appreciate a referral from their doctor. The pregnant moms with be at prenatal yoga and other classes.

Also consider providing or sourcing services that cater to individual needs. (Babysitting for moms, transportation for seniors, couples massage for couples...).

Referral is your number one resource. Try joining some lead or networking groups. Develop a short presentation of what problems you solve and for whom. Try lunch-and-learn presentations at any corporate businesses and show up for a regualar chair massage event sponsored by the Human Resources department.

The emphasis on having a live person available by phone for taking appointments is really important. If you can't organize it yourself, consider hiring a telephone service. They are quite cheap and many charge by call volume.

And finally try to add additional revenue streams to your massage practice such as product retail, spa treatments and specialized services.

Good Luck!