starting out!!

[offilla]

Oh my! I graduated 10 days ago, don't even have my license yet and have found an opportunity to rent a space. It's so exciting, but its also hard to make decisions. the place is a choice of 2 rooms in a chiropractors office.

One room is smaller, but sufficient, has a back door to a bathroom in the back hall that I have yet to see. This room has no window to the outside world and is in a corner of the office, right next to the chiro's office. seems like it could get a bit crowded feeling right at the entrance to the massage space. this room is $400 which is reasonable for the area.

The second room is twice the size, has its own bathroom, has nice light coming in from outside and is $750. I'm really interested in the room with some natural light. I could share the space although i don't have anyone really in mind. I'd have to search for someone.

some questions... just starting out how much can a person expect to work? No one can really answer that for someone else, can they? I'm challenged by marketing, but am excited to meet the challenge and think I can do a decent job of it but I don't know that I could get more than 2 massages the first couple of weeks... I really would have to jump right in with the marketing.

secondly, if i do share the space with someone, I'll have them sign a lease. I was thinking I would just split the cost with the person. My husband thinks that I should charge the other person higher than I pay, at least the 400$, since the room is better than the smaller room... any thoughts on that?

and lastly, if anyone can point me in the direction of some threads discussing starting issues I'd love to read more about what people have come up against and the advice given.

thanks

 

[Terry Z]

Here are a few random thoughts...
if you share the room with another MT, will you split by days, or morning/afternoon? I just passed my one year anniversary in my own place and I still take any client almost any time. So if you limit the days you can use the room, you are limiting how many clients you can take.

Carefully craft an ad for your local Craigslist/therapeutic section. It's free, and I've gained many good clients from it. But be aware, you need to develop you phone screening skills to weed out the creeps.

Join a networking group.

And use every situation as a networking opportunity. For instance, I noticed a new bike shop opened in my town (I'm a bike geek) so I went in and asked all sorts of questions. The owner asked if I wanted to be on their email list and I said sure, here's my card with all my info on it. We talked about teaming up to offer classes/seminars, etc. to the cycling community. Next week I'll go back and visit again. It's all about relationships.

You're on a great journey--enjoy it!

 

[joanne342]

Wow Ella, has it been that long? Congrats to you!
And to you Eyesofblue for graduating!

Starting your own business is a scary, and costly thing (IME). No one can really say how busy YOU will be when you first start. I started my own business about 10 months ago (nipping at your heels ella!) and I am now working on my own, in two different chrio offices pt, and on call for a few local hotel chains just to make enough to pay my bills.
Everyone's experience is different.
I have been somewhat lucky in the fact that I am working with my mother (a barber who has been established in the area for 3 years with a good clientel) Without that, I don't think I could stand on my own 2 feet at this point.
I have been told that it can take a good 5 years to build a "good" clientel base and that many private practitioners fail prior to that 5 year mark.
So have reasonable expectations, and be willing to compromise when necissary. (that was the hardest thing for me! I don't want to work 4 jobs!!)

Back to the topic of you~

Will the chrio be refering clients to you? if so, that helps a lot! Discuss that with him/her.

good luck to you in your decision making process!

 

[lola1234]

If you have the means to support the $750/month room, that would be the better choice in my opinion. Natural light, less crowded feeling, etc. As others have mentioned, networking, talking to the chiro about referring clients to you, etc. would all go a long way to helping you get a good running start.

Are you planning on having massage practice income as your only source of income during your startup? Are you working a "regular" job that would give you additional income to help with some of the costs you will incur getting started? What is your sense of how the chiro office runs? Is it super professional? Comfy cozy? What is your "style" as a person - would those things mesh in that office situation? How well do you share things with others? Do you want someone else to be able to use your things? Do you want your things left alone entirely? Are you gregarious? Shy? All of those things will factor into how you do as you begin your journey as a massage therapist and in how well you will do with sharing space, being in an existing practice, etc.

...just a few things to add to your thought process

 

[Vishwas]

I say keep your costs low. Go for the lower rent. Remember no matter what the rent stays the same keeps coming and needs to be fed. So feeding it less is better, unless its totally unacceptable location ect.


Jason

 

[Pompal 09.]

Unless you have a nestegg that you can tap into to pay for expenses, I'd go with Jason's suggestion and opt for the smaller of the two. That way, if it does longer to build a practice (especially if the chiro does not refer to you), you'll have to book fewer clients to make the rent and other expenses.

I've been working fulltime (5 days a week at a massage clinic) and have just started to rent a small space (sharing it with 2 other therapists). My main day is Monday, but I'm also able to see clients on Tuesday/Friday mornings and Sunday evenings. It's been very slow going. I know that it will take time, but I'm in it for the long haul. Your efforts and results may be different; but who knows.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Marissalynn]

do you have some funds set aside to support your business the first year or so? I would start out small. You can always upgrade. It depends on your personality but for me I like things where I like em and where I left em. I would sacrifice space for my own flexibility. Also like someone already stated, its hard at the start to confine yourself to certain days and hours. Not that you have to work 24/7 but its nice to be able to schedule a client when you want to. BTW I was lucky enough to have a sales and marketing background and have been paying my rent since day one for almost 18 months now (I worked for someone else for the first 6 months and still fill in on ocassion at several places) and making a profit. But, I still have weeks that are scary. Remember there is more to it then just paying your rent. Make sure you have enough capital to buy all the supplies (lotions, EO;s, sheets, stamps, misc. office supplies, phone, heaters etc etc.) and do some advertising etc. The list of stuff can get crazy long fast! You can do it. Just be realistic about your expectations. Its alot of hard work but fun and rewarding to watch it grow. Best of luck

 

[Zephyr - That Skate Kid]

I also would vote for going with the smaller, less expensive, space. Things generally start out VERRRRRY slow, so even IF you do have funds to supplement your massage earnings, they will quickly be eaten up by expenses if you're not careful.

In the beginning, I was so anxious/excited to rent an office ... I'm so glad my husband put the brakes on me and suggested starting out small in my home office -- I now realize that I would go nuts if I were in the same treatment room day in and day out all day long, so I do a few massages at my home office, and the rest are at various senior living communities in my area.

I would say it's better [and very exciting!] to UPGRADE down the road when/if demand for your services calls for it, rather than to bite off too much in the beginning and have to DOWNGRADE later.

Good luck, whatever you decide, and keep us posted and continue to research and ask questions!

 

[Naomi C]

I'd suggest you look around and see what places you can rent for the same $750 / month. You might be able to go to your own office space for that amount. Hard to say. Look into something like Executive Suites, where a receptionist works for each person on that floor of suites, for example. Or, talk to a commercial real estate agent about your needs.

I think $750 / month is high for a room (even if it is large). When I rented out my extra room I charged $350 / month at its highest rate (for years it was $250 and then $300) for a room that is about 16 ' x 12'. That included private keys to a very clean environment with use of the waiting area, reception desk, fridge and fax.

Granted, times have changed and the last time I rented was back in 2002, but I think $750 is high.

Personal opinion, of course.

If this is your only chance to get a space, then unless you have unlimited funds, I'd suggest starting out small and working up. You never know how your relationship with your renter will be (unless you already know them). What happens if you hate renting there at all and want to move in a few months, not having built up any clientele yet? Can you foot a few months of minimal work? Can you afford to leave once you get in, if it doesn't work out?

If you can, and all is well, then go for it. But, it does take time to build clientele. I'd expect at least a few years before you are paying all of the bills.

 

[Jolly Rancher <3]

Darn it! I just somehow deleted my whole post, so I have to start over - sigh

Anyway, Thank you to all for your thought provoking questions and input on this important decision. It's so hard to hold back since I want to just jump right in!! I don't want to lose this opportunity. But I have to think things through and look into more options before I move on anything.

First, the $750 really, in this area (MA), is reasonable for that space. Secondly, although I don't have a nest egg, disposable income nor unlimited funds, this will be a second income for our family. We have been on one income for 10 years now, so my earnings will be extra and I can afford to build my practice slowly. (although it doesn't mean I can make stupid mistakes!) I don't expect to work "full time" since my children also are young, so sharing the space makes good sense in my particular situation.

AnastasiaB you have some great questions that help a lot with my thinking! In a nut shell, I do feel like the office fits my personality... everyone there that I have spoken with seems excited to have me be in the office - of course that could be because they just want the space filled - lol, but it does feel genuine.

oh, yeah, I have since spoken to the MT who leased the space until now and got her honest feedback about the location and space. She said the smaller space was just right for her and was plenty big enough. She left because she isn't local and not so connected with the community so I think she had trouble marketing. She did say that the referral situation, from the chiro, was "weak" which I also had sensed from previous discussion with her. That could be something I speak with the chiro about and maybe she could make a concerted effort if she really wants someone to fill the space long term.

I will look at other spaces and see if there is something else I can find. I did also interview at a fitness place where I could work as a subcontractor with a 40/60 split (I get the 60%, he provides the space) The referrals through him would be good, but currently he has 1 MT and is hiring another so I would be #3. I like the place, he is good at marketing and is quite successful so I am likely to do this or I might combine... I have to look at my available times.

It's like a big puzzle and I'm moving the pieces all around trying to find where and how they best fit!

 

[Peaches]

First, the $750 really, in this area (MA), is reasonable for that space. Secondly, although I don't have a nest egg, disposable income nor unlimited funds, this will be a second income for our family. We have been on one income for 10 years now, so my earnings will be extra and I can afford to build my practice slowly. (although it doesn't mean I can make stupid mistakes!) I don't expect to work "full time" since my children also are young, so sharing the space makes good sense in my particular situation.

So if you limit the days you can use the room, you are limiting how many clients you can take.

I just want to point out that the reason people like Ella are suggesting it is better to have a place "full time" all to yourself is NOT so that you can work full time. It's not like "I'm only working three days so I can only take three days worth of clients" You will get clients who can only come Friday afternoons, or Tuesday mornings, or whatever. And if you only have the space on certain days of the week you will have to turn away those clients who can't come on those days. Also, there will be people wanting last minute appointments, maybe on the day or days you don't use the space and you will lose those clients. During a 7 day period, you may only do 5 massages, but they will most likely be spread out all over the place and if you don't have wide availability in your schedule, you are likely to lose many of them.

Also, while your earnings will be extra, you will also have extra bills, not only whatever rent you pay, but also all your supplies, marketing, etc, which can really add up. And your earnings at first will not cover those, unless you already have some clientele established.

Sounds like you are really thinking things through and I know you'll make the best decision for you in the end. Good luck!

 

[ek 5]

First, the $750 really, in this area (MA), is reasonable for that space. Secondly, although I don't have a nest egg, disposable income nor unlimited funds, this will be a second income for our family. We have been on one income for 10 years now, so my earnings will be extra and I can afford to build my practice slowly. (although it doesn't mean I can make stupid mistakes!) I don't expect to work "full time" since my children also are young, so sharing the space makes good sense in my particular situation.

So if you limit the days you can use the room, you are limiting how many clients you can take.

I just want to point out that the reason people like Ella are suggesting it is better to have a place "full time" all to yourself is NOT so that you can work full time. It's not like "I'm only working three days so I can only take three days worth of clients" You will get clients who can only come Friday afternoons, or Tuesday mornings, or whatever. And if you only have the space on certain days of the week you will have to turn away those clients who can't come on those days. Also, there will be people wanting last minute appointments, maybe on the day or days you don't use the space and you will lose those clients. During a 7 day period, you may only do 5 massages, but they will most likely be spread out all over the place and if you don't have wide availability in your schedule, you are likely to lose many of them.

Oh, I understood that. my comment wasn't really in specific response to what anyone was saying... you know? but I just realistically cannot have myself be available every day. I know that will limit me but I can't really change that and need to accept it. I hope my tone wasn't all "know it all" I wasn't trying to be. I'm very appreciative of all the advice and thoughts of everyone on here.

Also, while your earnings will be extra, you will also have extra bills, not only whatever rent you pay, but also all your supplies, marketing, etc, which can really add up. And your earnings at first will not cover those, unless you already have some clientele established.

and again, I understand this too and am working on my budget and cost analysis and all of that so I can know what I think I can do...

Sounds like you are really thinking things through and I know you'll make the best decision for you in the end. Good luck!

And thanks for the good luck wishes.[/quote]