Massages at home to earn money - please help!

[AlexComarinoso]

Hi everyone

I though this to be the best place to ask this question. I am currently a full time student (with children)and need to earn some money. I was thinking of using my skill as a Massage Therapist to earn a little each week. The only trouble is I don't have the use of a car and so would have to carry out the massages at home - but I live on a main road so it's hardly nice and peaceful, add to this the fact that I would have to do the massaging in my front room. Do you think people wouldbe bothered about the main road/front room situation? What about if I offered it at a resonable price, would this make up for it?

I couldn't rent out a room as the amount I would want to earn wouldn't be enough to cover the rent - I can only do about 3 massages a week otherwise I'm just way to busy. What does everyone think?

Thanks in advance.

D

 

[ohgftmmi]

Hi, in my opinion I dont think its a good idea. Working from a converted room is a better option, but actually working from your front room could lead to health & safety issues, and also doesnt look too professional.

Have you tried local therapy centres that offer fully equipped rooms by the hour? Or even space in salon or clinics, that again, would offer rooms per client? There does seem to be lots of these places available, and I think it gives a more professional look to your enterprise.

Good luck with it!

 

[Prowler]

Hi Deedee

I agree with 'sportstherapy': most clients would prefer to be massaged in a relaxing atmosphere, and noisy traffic might be a distraction. Also, some clients may be uncomfortable if there was a possibility of passers-by looking through the front window and seeing the massage taking place.
Finally, I'm not surewhether you only intend massaging people whom you know as friends, but I would be very cautious about advertising yourself as a massage therapist if you work from home. There were at least three posts on this forum last year from female therapists who worked from home, and received unwelcome attention from male clients who were expecting something more than a straightforward massage. It is probably worth reading the earlier threads on 'attracting new clients' and 'getting rid of unwanted clients'.

Regards

Alan

 

[wcarolinew]

What you would aslo need to be aware of is the fact that you will need to take out insurance to cover you for massage, plus you would need to notify your household insurers that you are working from home, as I know a lot won't allow you to as they will void your policy or charge a hefty additional amount to do it which would probably cancel out any profit you might make.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Deedee

 

[nid help]

Oh well, better try and think of something else then. Thanks for your help guys.

D

 

[MooDevooae]

At present I am in a full time job, but am building up my massage practice from home. The front room of the house primarily acts as my practice, blinds are always drawn so no-one can see in or knows what is going on.

As for house insurance, you can get an excellent package from Balens which we found to be cheaper then our existing insurance and covered me for the practice along with my professional, public liability etc.

As for clients, I have not had a single comment or complaint from any clients - they have all been perfectly happy to visit me. When a booking is made I explain that it is a house they are looking for, nobody has ever commented on this.

I have had several phone calls from clients wanting sexual services, this has nothing to do with the fact i work from home ... i don't advertise it as a home practice. This is just people who thing that because you advertise massage you also offer sex. Unfortunately as much as we hate it, it does come with the job to a certain extent and it is something we need to continue to battle against.

I had a client last night who actually commented on how good the room was, how welcoming and relaxing it was.

If there are others in the house the one recommendation I would make is to put a lock on the room you are going to use as a practice. But make sure any lock can be opened from both sides of the door, and ensure the client is aware that you lock the door to ensure you aren't disturbed.

I know many practitioners around the country who work from home like this, and they are all building successful practices. Just make sure you present yourself and your therapy room professionaly and appropriately.

Good luck
Mat xxx

 

[Mac M]

I've deliberately delayed responding to Fozzyo's post, because I didn't want to deter Deedee from setting up in practice, and I hope she is doing well.

Nevertheless, I think that Fozzyo is possibly understating the danger to female therapists who work from home, and I think it is worth re-emphasising that a therapist's personal safety should be paramount. Fozzyo has correctly made the point that



I would agree that as long as a potential client makes it clear during his initial phone call that he is looking for sexual services, it is easy to tell him where to go. But the problem really comes when such a client doesn't reveal his intentions until he is actually at the therapist's home. There was an example of this on the earlier thread 'sexual discrimination in massage therapy', where a female therapist reported



And one of the therapists on the current 'mobile massage' thread has also reported male clients asking her for 'extras'.
Personally I stand by what I wrote on the earlier thread 'Attracting new clients':



And I agree with one of the comments which 'Barbarellaboy' made on the same thread:

"I personally feel more comfortable and sa