Is it a good opportunity??

[lenzo l]

I just got out of school at the end of Jan. I have just been offered rental space for $100 a week at a well established salon. The basic massage is 60/hr. I can add my own modalities in with that. I have no clients in this area yet. Nothing is included with this (linens, oils etc.). they will, however book appts for me. They did mention I could start off w/ 2 days a week and they will work with me on the rent until I build up a good client base. I have just started out and this is my first Massage opportunity. Do I do it or look for an hourly-rate position first????HELP................ ???

 

[peking]

Is it a good opportunity??

I would also like to add that I will be the only LMT in the establishment...

 

[k_runner4]

Congrats on your first offer!  Thats very exciting!THe cost depends on where you are located, around here that is too much - but in your area I am sure it is different.    Ask around to other massage therapists or salons in the area - see what the going rate for good space is.  You will know then if you are getting a good deal or if its too steep, then you can negotiate beacuse you have done your homework.   ITs awesome that this is an established salon - you will have access to their established clientele as well - see if they will do a mail out or something for you!Its great that they are willing to work with you for rent- when I started right out of school at a tanning salon I paid a % of what was made at the end of the month - this gave the tanning salon owners a bit of an incentive throw some of their clients my way and I was always sure Id make enough to pay them.    By the end of that situation I was paying way more than what I should have for the space so be careful of that - maybe set a cap at 6 mos. to the first year.  Or cap the % to a certain amount.  I paid 20% of total months profit untill $1000, then 10% anything over that.  I had them take my appiontments for me as well - NEVER AGAIN  I can be a bit of a control freak though - so thats just me!  They messed up a few times, they decided when I had a break, etc.   Some here will say to get a massage job to get your feet wet first - thats a great way to do it - but I was one of those jump right in graduates that opened up on my own right after school - you learn as you go, its that simple.   GOOD LUCK if you feel thats a good place for you!   I had the MOST FUN starting my business, it was a total thrill!Dori

 

[Beverly (Bea)]

Is it a good opportunity??

It does sound like a good opportunity, especially since they are willing to work with you on the rent while you are just starting out.My only reservation would be the lack of control. I prefer to rent a room and set my own prices and hours. I like not having to answer to anyone. But that's just me. Some people are much more comfortable with less control and more support.I would not recommend an hourly position. In most cases, they will work you back to back appointments and pay you next to nothing. And when you leave, they will want to keep your clients.-Melody

 

[MelanieT]

You need to know what the rents are in your area to determine whether $100/week is fair or not.  Don't forget to figure in that appointment making is included in that $100/week.  That can sometimes be a help, but could also be a hindrance, depending on the capabilities of the staff.   I agree that I would try to get it on a monthly basis, rather than weekly.  Save yourself some money.  I wouldn't present it that way......I would just say "So, the rent will be $400 per month and you will make appointments and I will supply everything else, blah, blah, blah".  MAKE SURE TO GET YOUR AGREEMENT IN WRITING!!!!!!!!If you cannot afford the full month's rent to start, then see if you can work on a perceneforum.xxxe or a certain $ amount per massage up to a certain cap.  Agree on that for a short period, at which time it will revert to a monthly rent.  Sounds like they are willing to work with that.MAKE SURE TO GET YOUR AGREEMENT IN WRITING!!!!!As a renter, it should be your responsibility to set your own hours, make your own prices, etc.  I would make that clear.  If you are fine with the $60 per hour, then let her know that you agree with that, but that you reserve the right to raise rates when it is warranted.  If you are paying rent and she is getting it, then she has no need to see you raise the rent.  If the going rate in your area raises and/or the cost of supplies rise significantly and SHE is in control of the rates, she might just say "Hey.....I'm getting my rent regardless of what the rate is.  I'm going to keep it at $60 and be known as the "good deal" in town." MAKE SURE TO GET YOUR AGREEMENT IN WRITING!!!!!!!It does sound like you have a potentially nice opportunity.  With an established salon that already has a clientele to draw from.  Was there an MT in there before?  If there was, it might be important to find out what sort of reputation he/she had so you know if you are going to be fighting an uphill battle to start with if he/she was not so good or was unprofessional.  Also, you might want to try to find out why they left.  If it was disagreements with the owner, that might be a sign to you that you need to be careful.Have a I mentioned yet that you shouldMAKE SURE TO GET YOUR AGREEMENT IN WRITING!!!!!!!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Is it a good opportunity??

Thank you all so much :-*These are all things I needed to hear. I shall start my reseach today........

 

[Pompal 09.]

GOOD LUCK!   ;D

 

[God eats babies]

What incredible advice everyone has offered.  I agree it is important to research the going rate.  While $100/week sounds like a great deal I think $400/month is pretty steep for two days/week.Ask about advertising.  Specifically if you will be responsible for doing the larger amount of advertising, all of it or if the salon will include you in anything they put out.  I would encourage you to book your own appts and keep control of your schedule.  It isn't difficult as long as you set it up from the beginning.  Have them give potential clients your cell phone number so you can talk with the client and answer any questions they have, get their phone number and explain your cancellation policy.  All they have to do then at the desk is say, "Oh yes, we have a wonderful massage therapist, her name is Jackie.  She handles all her own bookings. Give her a call at _________ and she will get you scheduled."I also agree with getting it in writing!!!  That is crucial to your long term mental health.Congrats and I hope it works out well for you.

 

[WTFYW?LDG!]

Intuitouch, I believe they said they would work with the poster on the rent since s/he would only be there for 2 days starting out each week. So they won't be starting out charging $400/ month just for 2 days a week. I just set up shop in a chiropractor's office this past weekend. The chiropractor himself is very quiet/conservative/straight-up-and-down/no-nonsense kind of guy. He doesn't want to book appointments for me, he doesn't want to have anything to do with my practice and likes us to be completely separate in our businesses.  So I'm responsible 100% for everything and I can't assume that his clients would be interested in booking appointments with me, so I must market aggressively to draw clientele into his office. Some folks would say this is a great set-up, some would say it's not so great. I'm okay with it as I see the pro's and con's of dealing with someone like him and we are on a month-to-month contract so either of us can end it at anytime should one of us be unsatisfied with our working situation.Be well,Jen

 

[Chewyrite]

Is it a good opportunity??

JenI like the month to month thing. Your right 2 days a week would not be $100 a week, thats the part they would eork with me on.I could work 6 days a week for $100/ week. I think that sounds pretty reasonable.

 

[Jinstar]

Check if you will be able to have a set of keys and/or access to the office outside of business hours.   Evenings are my busiest time - if you want to work evenings that is.When I was in my first office, a tanning salon, I had my own keys - I waited up front for my client then locked the door while we were in session.  Sometimes the salon was closed holidays that i was open or I could take evenings or sunday appointments if I wanted.  Just something to think about.  Maybe as your relationship with these people grows you can work your way up to having your own set of keys - I guess I am from a small town - they were just like "ok - here are the keys!" (I heart small towns!)Glad you found a good deal - good luck with future endevours!dori

 

[Ejr]

Sounds pretty fair to me.I agree on the "key" issue.  When you become full time, you need to have a set of keys.  If it means getting the office re-keyed (which can be expensive, but worth it) so that you only have access to the front door, and your own area, then so be it, but it is a very wise idea.Please let us know what happens!  

 

[x Fireheart<3 Mackenzie C]

Is it a good opportunity??

I don't know if it has been mentioned yet, but consider working a deal out with the salon to pay per day for 2-3 days a week. $400/month for limited access is a lot, but $25/day is not. You could negotiate the room price to $300 per month (how nice is the room? where is it in the salon? can you raise your prices when needed? what are their expectations?) Bring the monthly rate down (should be able to pay monthly) then offer to pay the full price during the first 3 months. During that time, they should send out a mailing to all of their clients, AND ask each client when coming or going, "would you be interested in trying our massage service?" If it's a service to their clients as they say, they will want to market you. But, negotiate that they market you during those months, being it part of the negotiation.Think about specials to offer first time clients, demos to give while people are waiting for their appointment in the salon, walk around and hand out your card and offer some hand reflexology... market!After the 3 months, ask another mailing to go out with a reminder to try the massage service. Then, change the rental to $25/day. If they did their job right, and you did yours, you'll have a some clientelle by then to pay for the room at LEAST 2 times a week, and the rent you pay from then on will coincide with your earnings.

 

[kirst is back!!]

I should add that while I'm only renting part-time from him (access to office is only from 4 p.m. on during the week and on Saturdays), he has given me a key to the front door and my own key to my massage office in his suite.  I pay $200 per month for part-time and my goal is to become full-time in August and pay $400 per month. At that time, I will have unlimited access to my massage office and can book clients anytime day/night.I have started marketing myself aggressively lately, spending my Saturdays at either salons providing chair massage and passing out coupons, at sporting/athletic events providing post-event sports massage and passing out a flyer on my sports massage package special, or preparing to rent booths at upcoming festivals/shows around town to help spread the word on my new office. This week on my lunch hour, I'm trying to spread the word to coporations about secretary's day. Mother's day is coming up too and I need to find time to market about that. I hope to get a web site up and running sometime this summer too, once I have the internet at home. It takes time/money to book clients. Hard to find both or even one or the other at times but it's all well worth it in the end if I can support myself helping people rather than stuck at a 9 to 5 desk job.Be well,Jen