Some advice from other MTs...

[terry t]

Hi...I just found this forum, so I'm not quite sure where this would fall in terms of categories but I would love some advice.

I am on the verge of closing my massage shop. My dilemma is: is this the right decision or am I jumping the gun and should wait it out.

Here's the story:
My shop is 45 mins away from home. I am near burn out because of the drive. Business has slowed down for many reasons. Mainly, I quite marketing and the passion to work so far away from home is no longer there. Work has become stressful and not rewarding like it has been.

I have a 4 year old son who's in daycare and my husband's work schedule is crazy. I never know when he's working. I end my days at 5pm, because I have to rush from my shop to drive to my son's daycare and it's traffic hour so it takes over an hour to pick him up. I have to get him by 6:30pm.

I quit attending business meetings near work to build relationships because I am not part of the community and the drive is insane. I do not live there, know the neighbors etc.

I started building my practice from home. Right now I have only one client but I'm sure I can develop more in a short amount of time.

Financially, the business pays for itself, but the profits are slim. During the gas hike last summer, I took a good hit. and At the moment I am finally without a car. My husband's truck broke down on us and he is driving my car.

So I'm stuck at home, and I can only go to the shop when he comes home which is after 4pm or during the weekends. I like what I do but I see the need to be closer to my son as he grows older.

I can rebuild the practice but it will take a lot of work and time, which I am no longer interested in doing.

I do not lack the passion for massage, I lack the passion to drive over an hour to massage.

I still have clients who have purchased gift certificates. Many of them will be used throughout March but I might have a few left over if I decide that March is my last month. What should I do with the remaining gift certificate holders?

Am I doing the right thing by closing it? What's your thoughts?

Channary - GA

 

[Spot]

IF you can contact those with certificates, try to get them scheduled. I am not sure about laws but I would personally find another MT in the area who might take them OR refund them.

As for the decision to close, that is something only you and your family can decide. (Not much help, sorry!)

 

[Maggie W.]

Mainly, I quite marketing and the passion to work so far away from home is no longer there. Work has become stressful and not rewarding like it has been.

That says it all for me. It is time to leave.

You can do the GC's outcall, or see if there is a therapist in the area that will let you honor them at his/her shop - barter with a massage for the "host/ess."

As you are not making much of a profit, there is not much of a point having a child in daycare while you are a 45 minute drive away at work. It's just too much stress. Personally? I would stay home with him until he starts Kindergarten, then get back to work nearby or in/out of your home if possible. Since you can only work now when hubby is at home, you could do that time on outcall near home.

 

[joeben7]

HI welcome to this awesome site!

I agree with the above about the GCs. You will have to get them used up, or purchase Gcs from another therapist to take them over. That part is relatively simple.

I hear a lot of things going on in your post. :S Are you very conflicted about this choice? It sounds like you have made up your mind, but have you sat down and really looked at your options?

Business has slowed down for many reasons. Mainly, I quite marketing

You realize you will have to market yourself wherever you go? Moving your shop closer to home, or even in your home will still require marketing endevours. You may have a second wind and appreciation for it, but take a good hard look at what exactly you are burned out on before making any moves.

quit attending business meetings near work to build relationships because I am not part of the community

ummmm yea, having a business in the area means that yes, you are a part of the community. That is a poor attitude to have if you plan on staying in business, near home or at your current place.


Are you thinking in home office or is there office space closer to your home? Will your child stay in daycare if you have a home office? Is there space with professional potential in your home? How about out-call in your specific area? Have you thought about these things?

What are the reasons you want to be closer to home? Is it JUST to avoid the drive? Where I am its a 30 minute drive just to the grocery store from just about wherever I am, so my perception of a 45 minute drive isn't a huge deal. But - that is my perception. Maybe you just want to be home more with your child? A schedule adjustment and good time management skills while you are 45 minutes away may be all you need.

It sounds like you need to sit down with a pad and paper and REALLY think out your motives and options, you always have options and sometimes we done recognize our true motives for what we think we want. We can't answer any of this for you, this is your responsibility, and our answers, without knowing you or the intimate details of your life, are really just a moot point.

Good luck - and keep us posted!!

 

[Hi MOM!]

Actuallly - scratch all of that - I agree with what cicerone posted as I was replying.

Staying at home with your child might just be what everyone needs. You get a break and kiddo gets their mommy - there is nothing more important then that.

Start over refreshed in a couple years. That is what I would do.

 

[Nancy U]

I have to agree with everyone else, though I'd like to add it sounds as though you've been so busy running around & putting everyone else's needs first - to the exclusion of your own needs.

So, while you're considering how you'll be making all the necessary changes, don't forget to put yourself on the list of priorities.

It seems the universe has a way of slowing us down - even though we don't always recognize it when it happens: You were already getting burned out - then the vehicle issue cropped up to force your hand into staying home. (see what I'm saying?)

Perhaps it's time to encourage your husband to get his truck fixed or replaced, so you get your wheels back & go take a short visit with a friend or family for a couple of days away from home.

At the very least if you have someone who you can trade a session with - get yourself a massage! Good luck & don't forget to do some other things in the meantime to take care of yourself - even if it's just putting your son to bed, & putting on some soft music, & lighting a candle in the bathroom, while you soak in a nice bath! t056

 

[LADii T]

Thank you

Thanks for all the reply. I have somewhat made up my mind but I have developed good relationships with many of my clients and I didn't add this but those who hold the GCs have already told me they will not see someone else.

I am conflicted but I needed some common sense talking to me as my brain and heart were fighting each other.

I am still doing massage (as it is something that I love and am good at it). I have picked up a new client at my home and I will be doing some marketing but knowing the security that if something happens to my son, I can be there at a moment's notice. My son will stay with my sis in law during sessions but she lives near by. This new client that I have also has given me a sense of what I was missing when I did massage. That sense of helping someone, but being calm and collective and relaxed, so I can help her with the best of my abilities. It didn't feel the same way when I was working at my shop.

The community where I live, I know plenty of people and know many good people who have already started word-of-mouth marketing long before I decided to leave. I have no problem marketing or running the business, it was the passion and desire to so far away from home. The community where my office is seems distant to me. The last few new male clients I have picked up were horrendous and creeps. *disgusted*

The car was "God's" sign to me to slow down. My hubby's car will get fixed as soon as we find the part lol.

Again thank you for taking the time to reply.

 

[runescape person]

Ahh I do know what you mean when you say an area has become 'distant'! I went through that a few years ago when I decided to close one of my offices (was operating out of three towns), its usually hard to describe why exactly but sometimes you just loose connection with a place and absolutely everything feels like an uphill battle.

And I also agree that the car thing was a sign from the universe gotta love it.

Glad you have found your Peace with this!!

 

[Rastafari]

Massaging again

I have to mention that the very first client that I saw at home was the most peaceful massage I've done in a long time. I felt so happy to be doing what I was doing, and she did too (so did the baby). She's pregnant. And there has been so much progress. This is why I love what I do.

After the massage was over, I mentioned to my husband how great it was to not have to rush and start the day fresh and energize and ready for the massage instead of tired and exhausted like I have been. My environment was nice, with music and candles and so peaceful outside. My shop is in a gym so it can get loud and noisy at times.

That massage reminded me why I got into massage. That's what I was missing and I need that positive energy around me again.

 

[kaaye]

I know the traffic in and around Atlanta is absolutely insane plus I understand your desire to move your practice closer to home. Is it possible to change your appointment time hours at the gym so the time you are driving doesn't coincide with rush hour? Also, does the gym have a daycare facility that could watch your son during an evening session?

These changes would allow you to continue to see the people at the gym while you are building your practice closer to home while eliminating some of the stress regarding the driving time.

 

[[email protected]]

Is it possible to change your appointment time hours at the gym so the time you are driving doesn't coincide with rush hour?

My daily drive is 45 mins. each way to and from the office. 32 miles from where I live. The interesting thing is that if I go at peak traffic times, it generally takes about 1 hour and 10 mins. to get there.

Personally I love to drive, but I can't stand (!!!) stop and go freeway traffic. So, I changed the times I work to help with that.

Zoe makes a good point that you might want to just look at changing your appointment times. You've got a family and a child, but you still may be able to change things so that it works better for you. I work 11am - 8pm. Maybe not the best of office hours for you, but it gives you something to think about.

I too have been in Atlanta, and agree that the traffic can be a nightmare, so if you could change even some, you may skip a lot of that traffic.

It sounds to me like you want to persue the home office, but feel torn about leaving the clients you love at your away-from-home office, and it's true that only you know what is really right for your situation.

May I suggest if you do decide to keep your away-from-home office, you consider finding another therapist to sub-lease certain days and you work the others. This may give you the best of both worlds during the transition and also give you a little peace of mind to test the waters without jumping in cold.

Welcome to our forums!!!