I am currently a subcontractor- How to have own business?

[lisaraeneal]

I am currently a subcontractor, I work at a spa. I have young children whom I homeschool. I would like to eventually open up my own place. For those who have suceeded on having a thriving practice, how long did it take you to get there? How did you start? - Did you work for someone else first? Start on your own right away? Pros/cons of those two ways? Obstacles you found to be a huge pain in the rear? Trying to develope a goal /plan sheet on what I'm looking for, how to accomplish, goals, etc.

 

[Fred]

Hi Louise--

I got a pros/cons question from a reader, who was a sub-contractor sharing a room with two other therapists, and did an entry about it. One of my MT's wrote a GREAT, helpful comment at the end of it.

Also, there is an interview I did with Jen Hathaway of Back in Balance Therapeutic Massage that may be of help to you. The first portion of the interview deals with why and how she started her own business. Jen is a real dynamo and a great lady.

Since I cannot post links yet (still new) I'll have to describe how to find them. Sorry.

Entry: search for Natural Touch Marketing. Down, down on the right is a blog link (with my picture ), get in to the blog, in the menu on the left, click on "Ask Eileen", it's the third article down: "A Room of One's Own." Be sure you read Terra J's letter at the end.

Interview: on Natural Touch Marketing home page, go down the menu on the left to Free Resources, click on "Real Stories." Jen's is the first one. Jen is really big on pre-planning, too.

Search for Julie Onofrio's blog. She has a lot of good advice and I like her a lot.

You can find TONS of free, business building/planning forms on Cherie Sohnen-Moe's Business Mastery site. Seach for "sohnen-moe" and on the left-hand menu, click on Free Forms.

Depending where you are, you may be able to get a lot of help through U.S. Small Business Association (again, you'll have to search; I can't post links yet). The SBA gives a lot of free classes at community colleges and such and they are so worth it.

My sister also likes MeetUp but I think its helpfulness really depends on where you live.

And, of course, there are a gazillion and twelve articles out there on the web.

Speaking personally, my biggest obstacle was keeping myself motivated and moving towards my goal. I found it was easier if I broke things down into tiny series of tasks and goals. Otherwise I got way overwhelmed and paralyzed myself.

There was a time when I was really stuck and ended up hiring a life coach out of desperation. I think that was the smartest thing I ever did. Yes, it cost big, but I got where I wanted to go a lot faster and was better prepared.

So, Louise, that's what I've got tonight. Hopefully there is something to help you get going.

All my best,
Eileen

 

[Puffy]

Consider first what your long-term goal is. What benefits do you want to get from owning your own practice? What is your motivation? Use that to fuel your preparations.

Researching and planning it out are the hardest part. It will mean many hours of educating yourself on all the applicable laws, tax codes, business structures, financing options, and how to reach your intended target market(s). This could take months, and it is truly thankless work. Worse, for most MTs it means building a whole new base of knowledge from scratch, and most of us simply are not business-oriented to begin with.

But it's worth it.

"Plan hard, fight easy." - Sun Tzu, The Art of War

If you put in the effort to really understand what you intend to undertake and crunch the numbers until they make sense, reflect realistic assumptions, and stay in the black... you have a good chance of succeeding. Running your own business takes many more hours of work in addition to the time you spend doing massage. If you're going to put in that time, better make sure it's going to pay off for you.

"Given four hours to cut down a tree, spend three hours sharpening the axe." - Russian proverb

You can build a foundation now, promoting yourself as a therapist, and letting people know they can find you at the spa. Get your name out there, and try to earn a good rep. Privately, learn the ABCs of business ownership and get some help putting a plan together. Some of the resources listed above are helpful, and I also found SCORE to be a very helpful resource.

On the other hand, you could just wing it and hope for the best... but that's usually a quick and painful path back to working for other people. If you're going to do it, plan your success thoroughly.

Good luck!

 

[sarahsardine]

No I've winged things before in life some work out some did not. This is something major, and I really want it to work so I am in the process of just trying to figure things out on paper, educating myself in the different areas that a business person needs to know etc. I would love to just jump in but with how the economy is I'm playing it safe for now. Although it drives my absoultely nuts how I'm treated sometimes, and how I get down talked to. Plus all the drama. I hate drama. Thanks for the responses so far

 

[nykkibabyyy]

I have had my own business for two years, and it was the business training that I received in school that gave me the confidence to do that. Our text was Business Mastery by Cherie Sohnen-Moe, who's website was referenced above. I highly recommend having the book if you want to have your own business ~ it is an invaluable resource!

How long did it take to get there? lol, still working on "thriving". I am happy with the returns vs. what I've been able to put into it.

How did you start? On the first day of business class the teacher asked, "Who is planning to have their own business?" I was one of very few that did not raise my hand. After being events coordinator for the class, and doing numerous chair events, I discovered my niche and decided I could do it. I started by word of mouth, and spoke at women's and civic groups.

Did you work for someone else first? only in the co-op that we did the second year. We tried continuing the agreement afterwards, but we didn't put things in writing and it quickly dissolved.

Pros/cons of those two ways?
If you are self-motivated and willing to sell yourself, working for yourself allows you freedom to schedule around your life. It is more work than working for someone else, imo. I also thought that I'd make a lot more money being in business for myself than being an employee, but it is just not true. No one makes $60 an hour ~ that is a fee that is charged. Listen in business class when you're told that 1/3 goes to taxes, 1/3 to rent, etc, that you shouldn't take a pay draft for at least the first year (put any profits back into your business) and you will see quickly that $25 an hour at the spa looks pretty darn good.

Obstacles you found to be a huge pain in the rear? My biggest obstacle has been myself ~ facing my own fears. Fear of failure or fear of success, I'm not sure which. It is only when I let go (and let God, yes) and believe I am on the path I'm supposed to be that things happen.

I hope this helps

 

[Pompal 09.]

If there is a SCORE chapter in your area, contact them for free counseling. It will be invaluable!

 

[NeedASurgery]

well the first thing that stands out to me is that you have young children and that you home school. i can tell you that it is very difficult running your own business with kids. but add in that you home school ~ yikes!

seriously, running your own business isn't necessarily the greatest choice you can make. i'm not telling you not to but i'm not telling you to go for it either. think about what you're willing to give up. sometimes the benefits outweigh the drawbacks and sometimes, well......not so much.

i'm not sure if i could go back to work for someone else but i sure do think about it every now and then. there is something to be said about showing up to work, doing your job, clocking out and then going home. your own business is 24/7. i know you know that but you can't truly understand it until you're in it. seriously. i'm not talking about what it takes to build the business. i'm talking about when you have a busy practice. building a business is nothing compared to sustaining it. you will lose valuable time with your family. you will.


so to answer some of the questions you asked...

For those who have suceeded on having a thriving practice, how long did it take you to get there? well, i've been in business for over 4 years now. i guess you'd have to define "thriving". i have been making money since opening my doors. i've had a full schedule for probably 2 years or so.


How did you start? i was tired of not being appreciated at the spa i worked at so i quit. (i had no plans of quitting. i loved where i worked. amazing facility, poor management and company to work for) didn't give it too much thought. actually i didn't give it any thought. one afternoon my boss ticked me off so i told him "you don't deserve me to work for you any more" then gave my 2 week notice. i didn't plan anything. no business plan, no marketing, no number crunching. i knew that i was really good at what i did and that people liked me (and they still do!). seriously, i quit my job at the end of june and had my own office/first client on my table 2 weeks later. it was crazy and i love it! sometimes i want to crawl under a rock for a day or two but otherwise really enjoy it.

Did you work for someone else first? yes. a little over 2 years.

Pros/cons~ as far as i'm concerned, everyone should work for someone else before they work for themselves. it pays to learn from someone else's mistakes. working somewhere first allows you the luxury of learning what clients want, what they don't want, what to do, what not to do, who to be, who not to be etc.... you can learn this so much faster when working at an already established business. and you don't have to pay the price for making a mistake.

Obstacles you found to be a huge pain in the rear? balancing work and home life. still an obstacle and probably always will be.

 

[Abbie]

I am currently a subcontractor- How to have own business

I am currently a subcontractor, I work at a spa. I have young children whom I homeschool. I would like to eventually open up my own place. For those who have suceeded on having a thriving practice, how long did it take you to get there? How did you start? - Did you work for someone else first? Start on your own right away? Pros/cons of those two ways? Obstacles you found to be a huge pain in the rear? Trying to develope a goal /plan sheet on what I'm looking for, how to accomplish, goals, etc.

It took 6 mos to go from having 30 clients a month (half of those free) because word of mouth is our best friend, to 60 a month. 2 years later I am holding at that and more. I pay rent and show up for work without all the hassles that come from 'running' your own business. Marketing, word of mouth, and treating a client well by listening to them and making them feel special (because they are), was the 3 key elements that helped me the most. Everywhere I went, I had business cards and I wasn't afraid to approach someone and hand them out. I also rent a booth at our local fair where I offer chair massage and gain lots of exposure from that. For Christmas last year I made flyers with our Christmas specials and walked door to door to almost every business and introduced myself as I asked if I could leave some on their counter. Some ppl must have picked them up before they threw them out at the end of the day because I sold lots of Gift Certificates from that. I have no regrets from going straight from school into working for myself.

But I also was 'available' for my clients while I became established too. My boys were grown at that point and it didn't matter if I stayed late at the shop. It's not so easy when you have little ones, and availability is very important in building a clientele. You can still do it though, it just may take longer to build because of that. Let us know if you decide to go for it.

 

[Hawaiian Bruddah]

I am also a homeschooler with young children, and I am also planning to have my own business. However, I am trying to be realistic, and since I have a toddler in the house, I know I don't really have the mental space for it yet. Instead, I work for a chiropractor, working on my technique, my communication, and learning as much as I can while I put in my time there. I figure that being an employee is a whole lot simpler (although I may do some IC work in the nearer future) than running a business, and there is time for that when my toddler is a bit older.

Good luck to you with whatever path you choose. Remember that you don't have to hurry, though. Sometimes it is good to wait until the right season.

 

[gribbs100]

I'm am not planning on doing it right now as of the next few mths or anything as I have a 2, 3,and 5 yr old and I defiently have my hands full but I am just trying to get all my ducks in a row and really figure out what I want and how to get there.

Thankyou for all your replies and suggestions

 

[Brianna]

I always worked for myself right from the start and rented a room in a health club and built up my clients. I didn't have many expenses to start up so made enough to live on from the very beginning.

You just have to jump in with both feet and work on your limiting beliefs about yourself and even the one that says that it takes awhile to build up a practice enough to live on. It is only a belief.

I do have tons of info on my websites and blog as someone above mentioned (Thanks!)

Julie