Making reentry to business & a touchy situation

[Natalie L]

Some years ago I talked my way into a position as the first therapist at the local YMCA ladies fitness center. Now, I'm wanting to go back into business and possibly acquire the same position as before with some upgrades. Here's the rub. They now have a sports masseur who offers members 20 min. massage for $20 and a full  hour massage for $35. with non members being slightly more. Even when I was there before, I charged $50 for an hours massage, and this was ten years ago. What I want to do is go upscale in the ladies fitness center, which is separate from the area where he works. I would like to offer hot stone massage as well as aroma therapy, and offer cosmetics, oils and essenses, etc. to augment my income there. I would plan on redecorating the room where I worked before since previously it has a rather hospital like atmosphere, and what I envision would be a more luxurious ambiance. The way I plan to approach the YMCA people with these ideas is to explain this would upscale the ladies fitness center, giving it more of a spa atmosphere and drawing in more clients. My biggest challenge is how to deal with the present sports massage therapist offering reduced prices without making an enemy. Should I also reduce my prices to match his, or how should I handle this? Any ideas? ???

 

[Msean]

Making reentry to business & a touchy situatio

Maybe you should set up a meeting with him to discuss pricing. He may not know his prices are too low.  He could be new to the area or is not sure what is the norm.  Enlighten him politely.Mel

 

[g_guess_who]

Making reentry to business & a touchy situatio

Well, I think you are right about meeting with him to discuss prices. But from what I know, he has been entrenched there for a number of years, and may feel he has territorial rights. Another possibility your response brought to mind is talking it over with the Y officials themselves. Still another angle might be to offer upscale services that he doesn't, including body wraps.

 

[Danielle K]

Making reentry to business & a touchy situatio

$8 an hour is not fair at all. I worked at a Spa and received 50% of the fee per service. And I was just out of school at the time and didn't know alot about the spa services. I learned on the job.Pass on this one.  And keep looking.Best of LuckLynda

 

[That guy]

Making reentry to business & a touchy situatio

Thanks Lynda, I agree. I don't want to "cut-rate" my services. I'm a good therapist, and don't believe that would enhance my professional image. Besides, Massage is hard physical work, and one needs to provide care for one's own body to keep it in shape. This care may even include having to provide your own insurance.BTW, I saw a job ad on the Internet last night for a combination massage therapist and locker room attendant. I certainly hope no one responds to it, since there again, I feel it demeans the service and profession. Take care....Tirzah

 

[dogwoodgm]

Making reentry to business & a touchy situatio

Tirzah,How about offering the 'premium' services first, like the hot stone, etc. Come up with some others (I have a Dry Brush detox massage that has gone over extremely well... it's explained on my web page: exfoliate the body with boar bristle brush, hot aromatic compresses, a cooling aloe body mask to close the pores again & an enlivening citrus lotion massage:  75 minutes, $75, and the client takes the brush home with them to incorporate dry brushing into their health/beauty regime). When you get the clients there, you can tell them that you do indeed also offer therapeutic massage. They will have already seen & experienced your quality work, and they'll see the value of the price you apply to it. If you speak with the other therapist, maybe he'll do a rate increase by a certain agreed-upon date & then you can offer 'frequent visit' discounts or something that doesn't offend your sensibilities & the value you set on your work. Perhaps the two of you will end up taking on very distince specialties in your work; he doing sports massage & PNF, etc; you doing the wraps, hot stone, etc, and both offering 1 hour massages at an agreeable rate.Just thought of a corny plug:Y (why)M (massage)C (can)A (alleviate)stress.go ahead & laugh. It might unravel a thread to a great advertising slogan though.Good luck T!Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Pompal 09.]

Making reentry to business & a touchy situatio

Thanks for your response ST, I've been reading your other posts and have found them to be most informative and helpful.

The 'premium' services idea first, sounds like a great idea. It would be only if I were to come in undercutting this masseur's prices that he would be inclined to object much. By offering different, and unrelated premium services and to ladies only, this may tend to defuse any competitive clash that might possibly occur.

Also, the Dry Brush detox massage you offer your clients sounds like a winner! You mention aloe body mask and citrus lotion. What are the specific products you use? I have been out of touch in recent years and haven't keep up on the latest products, so your input on this and other product lines would be most helpful and I would be most grateful.  

Also, I thought this idea of your's was absolutely ingenious!

Just thought of a corny plug:
Y (why)
M (massage)
C (can)
A (alleviate)
stress.

go ahead & laugh. It might unravel a thread to a great advertising slogan though.

Good luck T!

~~~~

OKay! I think I will, it was really cute! ;D

Thanks!
Tirzah

 

[PFC Ramirez]

Making reentry to business & a touchy situatio

Tirzah,I make my own oil blends (100% food grade coconut oil with aromatherapy blends added), and I also prepare/mix/whatever my aloe body mask & citrus lotion. The aloe is super simple. I buy the purest aloe gel I can find & add a fresh sprig of wild rosemary (it grows like weeds here in Arizona) plus rosemary, cypress, black pepper and a very little peppermint to the aloe in a squeeze top container. I keep it in the little fridge at work. When I do the Dry Brush Detox massage, I put it into a pitcher of ice to keep it chilled over the course of the massage. The thought is that this particular treatment is a true sensory journey:  the stimulating exfoliation, the beautifully aromatic hot compresses (mix lemon, eucalyptus, juniper berry and patchouli in the steamer water), the bracing aloe gel, and the citrus massage. I use Lotus Touch massage lotion with grapefruit, sweet orange and geranium for the lotion. I know there are many great product lines out there, but I have always (since my first class in school) mixed my own oils & lotions. I enjoy the alchemy. I pour over books for standard blends & properties of various essentials & then I just experiment & let my nose be the judge. One friend/colleague uses & admires Olbas oil. The only thing I don't mix or mess with is my linaments for analgesic purposes. I use BioFreeze and an Arbonne product for heating. It's called Herbal Muscle Massage (with cayenne, arnica & St. John's wort).Tell us how you do with the proposal to the Y, and if you and the other MT reach a friendly cooperative effort.Cheers.Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Tejinder]

Making reentry to business & a touchy situatio

Jill,You are awsome!  Thank you for your wonderful posts, and your "sage" advice!Carole

 

[xx.loveme]

Making reentry to business & a touchy situatio

Hello everyone, I am new to this as well and enjoy the posts that I've read thus far.  It's nice to communicate with others outside of your own "massage world".Quick comment:  Jill, I like what you said about adding the premium services first.  I believe that would take out or help difuse the "territorial" edge at the Y.  Although my set up in the gym I work with is a bit different in that I am the only Therapist there, I don't have this dilema.  Best of luck in your future at the Y!Serenity4u