Home business. Am I crazy?

[zaza]

I'm leaving the only place I've worked/rented since becoming a MT and am hoping to get something started in my home.   Problem:  It's a 20 min. drive away from town to my house.  I live on an inland lake.  I only have a small 3 bd.rm house, which one room (upstairs) could be used, but isn't ideal.  There is another MT who lives on the other side of the lake working out of her house....she's closer to town, has a great set-up.  And the area that I live is flooded with MT's.  How in the world do I make this work? Do I charge much less for the drive out?What is the best way to make a bedroom look professional and yet still be functional for guests?  We will definitely take the bed out, but do I remove dresser, desk....those would be useable work space.

 

[Bigz]

As far as pricing goes, I would check out what the other MT's in the area are charging and stay competitive with that.  As far as the furnishing goes, I would definitely take out anything that makes the room resemble a bedroom.  People are looking for a professional space.  They may already feel a little uncomfortable invading your home so you want to make sure that once they walk in the door of the massage room that they feel the same way they do when they are in a rented professional space.  They will think of you more professionally that way too.  Good Luck.

 

[skmathew67]

I understand time constraints and transitions (I read your other post about what has happened plus I have been in a similar situation myself) and it may seem that working from your home is the best or only option at this time.  Even so, I would encourage you to keep looking in town or just outside of town for another space to rent.Unless you have a private entrance/place separate from the living area of your home to devote to your business I would recommend you find another space in town if at all possible.Have you checked out any of the local fitness centers, dentist offices, doctors offices, other salons or office parks in the area?  Some businesses rent space larger than they need and will possibly have space they can sublease.  I would think you could present yourself to any of these people as a viable/reliable source of rental income.  If the previous salon owner and you are on good terms with each other you might ask him to provide you a letter stating you pay your rent on time and that he's not had any complaints with you as a renter.  I would get that reference asap if possible.

 

[Acquiescent]

Have you thought about having an outcall business where you go right to their home or lake cabin? آ You wouldnt need an office. آ  You could cater to seasonal visitors or residents living in the lake area or you could still keep your clients in town with housecalls right to their home. آ  A classmate of mine lived on lake property and was very successful catering to vacationers and residents آ - also in a very MT populated area.As for the GCs that you have in circulation, you could still redeem the certificates as housecalls.  Just let them know your new contact information and that your office situation has changed but the certificates are still valid.....maybe give them an incentive to redeem soon, so you can get as many taken care of as possible with the time you are still in your office.Did you sign a lease?  Can he change the circumstances that you agreed upon within the lease timeline?  Good luck with everything!Dori  

 

[carly123houleis]

I have thought of taking my table to a customer's home/cabin etc.  In fact, several MT's and I are trying to get an in-home spa day thing going.  We did one and it was not only lucrative but fun.The entrance to my home is directly next to the staircase people would ascend to the "massg. room",  so people will not go thru my home.  I'm hoping that will help with it seeming more "professional".   Ideally, I'd love to build a business at home.  I am also considering chair massg. but would like to use my body cushion system to avoid the added cost of a chair.  If any of you are familiar with using it for that and have some pointers, I'd be appreciative.  

 

[ANON123456]

I work from my home and I love it. The front door of the house is right next to the massage room.  I have made sure that the room looks professional and is only for massage.  Clients do have to walk through part of the house to use the bathroom, but it doesn't seem to be an issue.  Everyone seems comfortable with my setup.  If the stairs to the massage room you have are there right as they enter, I wouldn't be too concerned with the feel of being in a house.  But what if the person has trouble getting up the stairs?  This is an issue at an office I IC at.  There is a flight of stairs and some clients have difficulty getting up and down them.  I stay close by so if they have a problem I am there.  You might want to decide if the stairs will be a problem for you.As for prices, I agree with Kneaded, be competitive with the other MT's.  There are plenty of people that need massage.  Just try to be creative with your marketing.Good Luck!