Help! Just starting out

[shari_louise84]

I am starting out looking for a space to set up my massage practice.  I don't have alot of money to rent a space. I'm just returning to massage after a 3 year absence. I worked at a spa which I am now on call as needed. But I want something more steady and wouldn't mind putting the money in my pocket.   I don't have a  big client base. I have contacted a salon owner who said she would be interested in adding massage to her menu of services. And she does have a  room for massage.  I have accumulated most of my supplies such as oils, paraffin unit, hot towel cabby, onsite chair (this xmas)I would like to offer spa services since that is what I found I really enjoy.I don't want to frighten the salon owner but I wanted to know What you think of this idea.I would offer the Salon owner a perceneforum.xxxe of the service fee's. This way I would be able to offer more then just massage and not be restricted to any one service.  I have the equipment and the supplies. So all the owner has to do is book appointments. Would 25% or 30% be a fair for the salon owner?  Thanks for you feedbackLynda :-/

 

[Courtney]

Since you supply your own materials for those services you are talking about, I would say that a 25% cut for the owner would be sufficient.  I would not want to give up more unless they are going to pay for your supplies

 

[Mickey K]

Try to have a big picture for her (owner) to digest. For instance, If you paid $500 a month for the room, at "x" number of massages per week, you would be paying her more in perceneforum.xxxe, etc. That will probably make you step back and think too:  maybe the rent risk is worth it. At a Salon, all the business flows to you. Whereas at your own office, you have to 'go fishin' (as my friend Deb says) for the business. If you make yourself reasonably available, I don't see why you can't double your smaller clientele very quickly. Using your chair in the reception lobby for inexpensive "stress buster massages" will surely draw people to your appointment book for full body work.Perhaps try to work out an arrangement where for a certain length of time (3-6 months) you pay your rent as a perceneforum.xxxe. After that time, you could opt to go 'rental'. Establishing that rent amount upfront might protect you (in more ways than one). I do understand the reluctance at first to do a perceneforum.xxxe deal, but I have to tell you that in my experience, rent has always been a good risk. I thought of it this way:  my initial goal was to see 2 clients a day, five days a week. That is an average of $600 (plus any gratuities). My commission perceneforum.xxxe (the norm here) would be 50%. I figured how much or little that figured to me personally. Would I be making less/same/more if I paid the rent agreed upon? If you really do well, and your business grows quickly, will you be satisfied to still give up that hefty perceneforum.xxxe? It's like taking a calculated risk in the stock market or something. I prefer to take the rental risk & always have a clause in the contract to get out with fair notice if the situation isn't mutually acceptable.Good luck and lots of success to you!Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[George P]

Jill is absolutely right.  Take the risk that you're most comfortable with and make sure you decide and document your agreement.  If your business really takes off the owner may not want to switch over to something that will net him/her less cash.  Protect yourself at all cost and if they want to leave it at a handshake, leave it!  Good luck Joe E

 

[loki]

I also agree wholeheartedly with Jill.  You also may want to try to locate another therapist who is willing to share office space.  That way your rent is cut in half, and you can negotiate who uses it when.I'm fortunate enough to have gotten in on the ground floor of a wellness center that was conceived of by a holistic chiropractor and a holistic psychologist--so totally up my ally!  The chiro is renting the suite next to hers, and splitting it in half.  She'll use the back section for a second treatment room and I'll get the front for my practice!  I'm getting an awsome rate for rent in an extremely trendy downtown area.  What a dream come true!  Now, time to build the clientele!Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities like that, and network, network, network!Namaste', Carole

 

[YourNightmaer37]

A lot of times you can put a limit on your  % . For example ...  Iwill give you 25% not to exced $500 per month. This is the type of agreement I have in my office.Just a thought good luck.        Jessica Tranquil Touch

 

[BritneyHill]

I also have my own business and it is really hard!  I can't seem to come up with enough ways to market myself.  I live in a very small town with people who don't except new things very well.  It seems like nothing works!  My clientel has dropped since summer rolled in.  Does anyone else notice this problem?  Almost every client I see says they will be back and are very complimentary of my work, but don't seem to return.  Is there something else I could be doing?  Another thing is I am only 21 and alot of the "business world" doesn't seem to take me seriously.  HELP!  Any and all suggestions welcomed!

 

[richard m]

Help! Just starting out

I also have my own business and it is really hard!  I can't seem to come up with enough ways to market myself.  I live in a very small town with people who don't except new things very well.  It seems like nothing works!  My clientel has dropped since summer rolled in.  Does anyone else notice this problem?  Almost every client I see says they will be back and are very complimentary of my work, but don't seem to return.  Is there something else I could be doing?  Another thing is I am only 21 and alot of the "business world" doesn't seem to take me seriously.  HELP!  Any and all suggestions welcomed!

Sorry. I should've started a new topic.  I didn't mean to interfere on this one.