Life path decision HELP

[ahhao]

Jessica here I have two places to choose from I need some opponions.One would be my very own office very very low rent.With this I would do some advertizing and hope for the best .I am already set up here with a few clients.....OR......A atheletic store just a block away. They advertize great location I ll find out the details money wise tomarrow. They have a client base and want it to grow. Probley more money now... but should I stick it out for my own practice???                 Confused and need of some experence                        Jessica Tranquil Touch

 

[SERROD]

Life path decision HELP

which way do you feel like your heart is being pulled? I think you already know the answer but are maybe a bit scared to make the choice? Is there any way you could do both?

 

[Ruben Pimentel]

Jessica,I'm known for my directness. Please take it as a sincere wish to help with your decision and for what it's worth to you.I don't know your background, age or level of experience, and can only guess that you're quite young and inexperienced in the world of commerce. Your spelling, quite frankly, is horrible and would indicate to me a lack of formal education. Although I'm not the greatest fan of a formal education, I do recognize its benefit as it relates to training thought processes that would prove beneficial in operating your own practice.Success as a massage entrepreneur, in my opinion, is directly related to how effectively you market yourself and your practice. That means coming up with a clear plan and executing it consistently. Flyers, brochures, mailings, on-site events, phone call solicitations, public speaking, e-mail newsletters, building a referral network - these are all things you'll need to plan on doing if you want to attract more clients to your table... Are you ready to do all this in addition to your massage? Do you know how? If you're unsure, then I strongly suggest either working somewhere that offers you a steady stream of clientele or starting your own practice on the side part-time until you have the opportunity to learn how to effectively market your business and can transition to full time.FYI - Massage Warehouse.com sells the "Massage Garden" Marketing kit which is a great resource for many of the letters, forms and brochures you'll need.  I found that and the "Business Mastery" book to be valuable resources.Good Luck!

 

[nodumgys]

Life path decision HELP

ABMP, my insurance company, sent out a great booklet of information when I signed up. That could also be a priceless resource. They had examples of press release letters, client letters, forms, documents, brochures, flyers, etc. They also had good ideas on marketing and the like. Starting your own business is not always the easy way to go but it can be the most rewarding and you'll learn a lot of the necessary items along the way.I would recommend you get the book Massage: A Career at Your Fingertips. It goes through different start-up options along with different legal issues to consider. My personal opinion...if you've got help (financially and otherwise) and can deal with a slow start, jump into your own business. If you need some experience and want steady business, work for someone. I started at a spa and really enjoyed it. I usually had a steady flow of clients and didn't have to do much more than show up. It was great because I had very little responsibility. Eventually, I was handed more responsibility and too much work so I left and started my own place. Things are super slow but I knew I could deal with that for a while. It takes 2 to 3 years to create a solid massage buisness--are you willing to put in that much time?

 

[motherofgradn04]

Here I am Back from the athletic store. They provide every thing cards, advertising, linnens,40/60 split .The room is small but nice.To me sounds like they are in to helping building a good massage pracitce.Breakaway athletics is well known in Memphis(another + ).Sounds good maby with a 30/70 split or somthing like that.      O yea by the way its not my fault this forum dosent have spell check.Spelling has nothing to do with my  ability to do massage or to run a buisness.I do how ever agree some one with some buisness classes may have it more togeather on paper but that is not what massage is about.Just so every one knows I cant type worth a squat eather!!      Back to me I have ben doing massage for 2 years.I currently work at Bonne Terre Country Inn They dont keep me buisy enough. I do have a massage room set up in a law office building. The owner does not charge me rent yet. When my buisness picks up it will be a very small %. So here you see I am torn both are great but the bills have to get paid.My head is saying one thing my heart says another . What do you guies think.                   TT Jessica

 

[supasta]

Life path decision HELP

Follow your heart and hang on for the ride *grin*

 

[tkp]

Thanks Sadie       I think Ill just do it all! I have some other therapist that work with me in case someone books at the same time.I am in need of a good system to keep up with every thing. I write every thing down and I ve been told that is a great start what comes next in the book keeping department.I have pondered massage office softwear.I use quicken some but its just not exactly what I want.  I would love to hear any feed back> ;D ;D

 

[Asher Ruth]

Okay, don't sweat the 40/60 split.  I'm assuming, they will be giving you the 60 in this split.  Think of it this way, if they are providing linens, advertising, appointment setting, etc., think about how much that would cost you on your own.  It's probably more than the 10% difference in split.  Working for someone else and getting to make all those mistakes on their dime is worth a ton of money.  The key is to not get complacent and never branch out on your own when you're ready.  I learned so much about running a spa by working at a spa.  Also, if you do choose to start out on your own, remember there is a good chance that you won't make much money for some time - probably for the first year.  With this in mind, I would start out slowly with your investment in the place.  Make it look nice, have the proper massage equipment but I wouldn't go crazy buying software when a pen and appointment book will work just as well to start.  I bought a fancy program years ago and dumped it soon after.  Some of these programs are not meant for small business owners and don't do what we really need.  To this day I still use my appointment book, Excel and Outlook with success.  I don't mean to sound jaded but I wouldn't take any advice from anyone (especially on the web and this site) when they are pushing products.  I tend to think that these sites are the perfect breeding ground for people who have vested interest in the product or the store.  Evaluate it on your own, regardless of who says it's the "best".  The one thing I have to disagree with you on is, it does matter how good your massage skills are but you still need to be a good business person as well.  Massage is a business and you do it to make a living and hopefully just happen to love it in the process.  Good luck in whatever you decide.  It's your decision.  Joe E.

 

[Ryde-On]

Whatever, and for the record, you do sound pedantic.  She was just looking for some advice, not a lecture.  I hope this communication is completely understood as this is a written forum.  And by the way, a written forum can only use words so to say a "written word forum" is simply repetitive.  bye bye.  

 

[theGR8shazam]

Life path decision HELP

It has been entertaining to read this thread! My two cents on spelling, grammar and the likes....I use this site as a place to gain knowledge and to share insights and ideas. I don't I always proofread what I type before I hit the post button. I DO check my writing when I'm going to be sharing it with clients. I imagine everyone on this site realizes the importance of professionalism in writing--especially after this thread.As far as spell check on the computer versus doing it yourself....schools are becoming highly technical and current students are learning to rely on spell check. It is a lot faster to type at a steady pace and spell check later than it is fix them as you type. Finally, would everyone take a deep breath and relax!? I am pretty sure this site was created to help people and I'm also fairly confident that some of the messages were not written from a helpful standpoint. SO! Jessica, you decided to do it all? How is it working out? What will you do when business picks up and one or more of the places?I don't use any massage office software. I prefer the pen and ink approach. For me, it is more cost effective. If you do get a program you like, let us know. Keep us posted on how things are working out.

 

[borderbethie]

Life path decision HELP

I agree with sadiedawn!!!! since when do i need to spell check? i just want advice from you all that have been there. for us newbeees. its nice to chat and get good advice. not worry about how its spelled if u understand it .... it works.

 

[decentg]

What has our world come to.  We cant spell.  We dont know our phonics.  We are not all editors.  Oh my!!I hope everyone on this forum uses their sense of touch as their primary form of communication.  My 8 years of college haven't given me the ability to profread anything.  Do I care, NO!!!  Do my clients?  No way!!Evereyone here does a great job of getting their point across.  Besides who can type after doing massage all day?  I BOW TO YOU OH GREAT ONE ;D

 

[smallvoice85]

You guys are great!!!!! Thanks to all who take up for all us gramer challenged folks. Any way I decided if Im going to promote any one it should be me. The position really was not the path I want to take. Thank you all so much. Tranquil Touch will live on. I think things are going well. I f one door shuts in your face dosent that mean two open. I sure hope so. I was replaced at the bed and breakfeast for a bigger day spa. They offer more services big woop! The fire has ben lit under my butt to get my buisness up and running. Wish me LUCK!                       Jessica

 

[rabcnesbit]

Life path decision HELP

GOOD LUCK JESSICA! ;D ;D ;D