How do I jump back in?

[hepmom]

Hi all. I posted a while back, outlying my plans to get back into massage. Truth is, I never was able to take it anywhere when I got out of college. Now, it is my main goal. 

I am facing financial hurdles right now. I can afford to get the license, insurance, and national certification when I'm ready, but here's the deal: how do I make time for massage? I work 9-5 M-F right now, but will be switching to an evenings job, Wed-Sat (all day Sat). It seems to me those days would be the most popular for people to get massage done. 

Once I have my license and insurance, I'll be applying to every salon/spa I can find that doesn't require me to lease their space. 

I'm the only one working in my family that includes myself, my wife, and one-month old daughter. Our bills total $1,200/mo and we don't even have rent. >.< I know, I know. Stupid. 

Anyways, I need to be able to work and practice massage. I hope some of you can provide tips, words of wisdom, or any encouragement. Thanks so much!

 

[Mohit]

How do I jump back in?

honestly, you'd probably be better off sticking with the day job (unless the pay is significantly different) so that you you'd have a couple evenings and weekends available for appointments. JMO

 

[sweetlilbrat26]

How do I jump back in?

Opinions are what I'm looking for.

My ultimate goal, of course, is to move into this full time. Which I'm not sure if it is viable to do so here in Boise, but I hope so.

 

[Pompal 09.]

How do I jump back in?

Don't worry about your schedule. Clientele molds to your schedule. Sunday is a fine day of the week to do massage though. And retirees can get massage any time of the day they want

Employers though will either have shifts that work for you or they won't.

Do you have any space at home or elsewhere to see private clients? An interesting strategy I saw was to advertise massage for the price a spa would pay you... so if average spa pay in your area is $35/hr, set your initial price at that. People will jump at inexpensive massage. When you're busy with repeat clientele, up your price by $10/hr. Lather, rinse, repeat.

 

[Shimmering]

How do I jump back in?

Do you have any space at home or elsewhere to see private clients? An interesting strategy I saw was to advertise massage for the price a spa would pay you... so if average spa pay in your area is $35/hr, set your initial price at that. People will jump at inexpensive massage. When you're busy with repeat clientele, up your price by $10/hr. Lather, rinse, repeat.

On the other hand, it's been said often on this board that when your prices are significantly cheaper than others in your area, people tend to take advaneforum.xxxe of that offer... but may very well not stay with you when you raise your rates. (They're only in it for the cheap deal.)

Raising Rates and offering a package discount:
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=16290&p=139080

 

[Casey B]

How do I jump back in?

Unfortunately, I am living in my parents' upstairs with my wife and child. So, there's really no room to accommodate an in-home business. And I think starting at a spa or what-have-you would be a great way to grab clients.

 

[Jon R]

How do I jump back in?

I think I'd recommend finding a place to be employed to start out with. It can be exhausting focusing on a day job AND getting clients. Just be aware and decide how you might deal with any non-compete agreements you sign if you decide to either leave and start a private practice or start doing both. Doing massage full-time in Boise IS possible- I mostly did out-call for patients of the chiropractor I worked for.

 

[Randell]

How do I jump back in?

That was me when I first started out and I did out calls because I had too. I couldn't work when the spas needed me.

There are plenty of places now that contract out call therapist now

http://ifmytablecouldtalk.com/2010/11/18/where-can-i-find-a-job/

Here is a blog post I wrote to get you started

 

[~*~Oblivion Helper~*~]

How do I jump back in?

Financial struggles can take a huge toll on an MT. You should realistically set a goal for how much time you are willing to spend away from your family. However, being that you, your wife and your 1 month old child are all living in your parents house --- I would think that you could use some extra time out of the house, unless they have a huge home. Two families in one home can be a a tad stressful as well.

It took me years, and I do mean years to get my practice going (unfortunately, too many people think that building a business is a piece of cake). I worked multiple part-time jobs (enough to equal about a job and a quarter, I would surmise) and set up a practice where I worked in the evenings (I rented a multiple room office). As I was able, I would drop one of the part-time jobs to be in my office a few more hours a week. After about 10 or so years, I got down to my private practice plus one part-time job (just in case). Some people are able to make a go of it a lot quicker, but much of it depends on your own circumstance and financial load. I also worked late nights for a concierge at a number of hotels in my area. So, some nights I would not get home until 2am and have to be ready to get back to work the next morning early.

I don't know if you have the flexibility to do anything similar, but that's my experience for what it is worth. Plan on being in it for the long haul and don't expect miracles in a three years or less.

Consider doing outcalls and charging a pretty penny. I stress this, because you need to maximize your time, especially since you don't have much to start with. After all, you don't have anything right now, so why not take the time to build a clientele that can pay well for less hands-on effort (unless you hate to drive) instead of many clients for less money and more hands on effort. A few reasons not to do this: You have to get money quickly, and you don't have clients in your area/region who can afford to pay premium rates.


Consider setting up a website stating your outcall services, in order to get you on the move.

Feel free to ask me questions, if I can help I will.

Sundays are a great day to build a massage clientele on. Currently I work Sundays.




03/23/11 - typo edit

 

[Vampurr Kitteh]

How do I jump back in?

Thank you, pueppi.

I don't mind driving at all. Just gotta get a second vehicle when I can. Ours had its head gasket blow, so I'm currently using the car I got my wife. "/

I'm sure I couldn't have chosen a harder time to do this, but I am very set on being able to practice my dream.

 

[Andrew Tegeler]

How do I jump back in?

uRabbit, I just wanted to encourage you in your endeavors to break into the field of massage. My husband started out going to equine massage school, we had to move to a totally different state in order for him to actually work in that. With little money and 8 children, that was no easy task. We did what we could, floating around Texas trying to figure out where we could set down some new roots and start our new life. After 8 months in an RV (yes, all ten of us), we finally found a place to settle down. He spent ALL his time traveling to different farms/ranches in the area trying to drum up business.

After a few more months, his clients began asking for massages themselves, so he went to school to get his "people massage license". He spent well over a year doing outcalls to peoples' homes (and barns). Then we decided that a) I would go to massage school myself, and b) we'd rent a room somewhere for him to "settle in" and let folks come to him, instead of spending half his working time traveling instead of massaging.

Long story short (you can probably find it in some of my posts here if you really want to read more): now, almost 6 years after deciding to go to equine massage school, we now have our own place (we're actually in the process of moving to a brand-new office, and I do mean BRAND new! ). He's had to go back to outcalls for select clients during the past month because of our move. Ahhh, the memories of old times, LOL!

Anyway, I just wanted to encourage you that it *can* work. We started out with just him, doing just outcalls, and now it's the both of us (me part-time and he full-time), and our own place. You can do this! Good luck, and please let us know how things go for you, and when/if you have any questions. We love to help around here!

 

[cam can help]

How do I jump back in?

The safest and most productive option would be to keep your day job (this is the slowest time for MT's,) then work evening at a clinic that has several providers like chiro and physio, sure you make a bit less per hour, butttt you will build up way faster! in ontario the provincial avarage for number of pt's a chiro will see is about 20 per day or 100 per week, when i started i worked for a chiro that would do up to 90 a day! yeh they dont get better very fast but this pushed them to see me. the next chiro i rented from would do up to 60 a day!, again this helped insure i was very busy. you may be able to finish your day job a bit earlyer ie 2:30 then you could work massage 3:30 to 8pm, and saturdays as well. When i started i would work one clinic 8:00am to 1 at one clinic, then drive 30min away and work 2pm to 8pm at the other clinic.
Once your pt flow builds up you can decrease your regular day job hours, but dont get rid of it till you are full!

You also need to have a strong marketing plan developed, you must have a good quality website made for your self, it must be ranked high, and be producing clients before you switch to this job full time to be safe.

Dont rent for your first year, you dont need that expense,take some extra courses when you can that will provide added value to your patients, and make you stand out as the goto guy.

Just some ides, i hope this helps.

 

[Cristal]

How do I jump back in?

Thank you all for the encouragement. I've been rummaging thru my old school books and have been practicing with my family. Once I get this military discharge stuff over, I will - hopefully - be able to start working more hours here at work so that I may pursue my license and insurance, and sooner than later, my national certification.

My wife and I are very excited about it.

 

[Lor 2009]

How do I jump back in?

Once I get this military discharge stuff over...

Thank you for your service, you are appreciated.

 

[BDS]

How do I jump back in?

Well, thank you for that.

 

[LaTeRaLuS]

How do I jump back in?

Hi all. Me again.

Was wondering, since I have no work experience and have been inactive for four years, is my certification still valid? I cannot remember; is continuing education required for certification or -just- for national certification?

Thanks so much!

P.S. Further tips are much appreciated.

 

[Pompal 09.]

How do I jump back in?

Hi all. Me again.

Was wondering, since I have no work experience and have been inactive for four years, is my certification still valid? I cannot remember; is continuing education required for certification or -just- for national certification?

Thanks so much!

P.S. Further tips are much appreciated.

It depends on what state you're in, Boise doesn't require any CE if I remember right. I don't know how long it stays active though, you might have to apply (and pay, I'm sure) to get it renewed. If you still have the original copy, I'm sure it will give you information on whether there's an expiration date and if so, when it is.

Once you get your national certification, if you go through NCBTMB you have a 4-year certification period during which you need to get 48 CEUs before you can renew it.