My age...

[Duey]

Hey guys! I need your opinion/advice. I'm 22 and own Pure Tranquility Massage in Cedar Falls, Iowa. I think I have done a great job so far at getting new business in the door and keeping regular clients. My problem though, is I'm young. Worst, I'm 22 but look 17-18. With new clients they sometime look at me and think I can't even be out of high school yet. Are there any other young business owners on here that can feel my pain?! I make sure i always keep a professional personality so they realize I'm not as young as I look.

Sorry I just needed to vent!

 

[2pac]

Here's a thread on the same topic. You're not alone:

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15218

 

[Pompal 09.]

Thanks for the quick reply! One other thought that has been bugging me is that I want a professional picture of myself on my website. But am afraid it will push people away. Thoughts?

 

[Bear]

For the picture, If you go to a professional, with some make-up and proper clothing it can add a look of maturity to your youth.

I feel you pain. I have a baby face, despite the grey hair creeping in, I look quite young.

For our rock and gem business my partner and I started it in our early 20s. In an industry dominated by older men, it was a tough start for us, female and young. The assumption was we couldn't tell concrete from a crystal. (Not quite that bad, but you get the idea).

Hang in there, it will get better. Set an image of professionalism and you age won't matter.

 

[jnmedrano2004]

My age...

Such an interesting thread!

Are there any other young business owners on here that can feel my pain?!

I started my Reflexology business at 23 but rarely encountered problems with my age. Now that I look back I wonder if I ever lost clients because I was young. I still look young but I don't think it is hurting business. In fact, I get hired more by my fellow Gen-Y'ers as a birth doula because of the peer-to-peer experience than someone who is old enough to be a big sister or a mom.

Though I do think I have more Gen-X clients than any other age group.

 

[Akash]

Hang in there. You'll reach milestones (5, 10, 15, 20 years in practice) at a younger age than those of us who started later... your hard work now will pay off amazingly later.

 

[Zorro]

your doing great. not everyone is fortunate to have a practice that young an age. especially in massage field or any healing field.

As for pictures on your website, got for it!! wear a suit though. they will be amaze at how young an entrepeneur you are. however that is spelled.

 

[karla]

I was 19 or 20 when I graduated. It never occured to me to be ashamed of my age because I was good at what I was going and knew I could benefit my clients.

I did attract an entire subset of clients from the college in part I think because of my age. I had TONS of student athletes when I first graduated.

Angela