Working outside of massage

[Luveena]

I am curious. How many of you have a second job outside of massage? I know we have discussed before the expectations that school kind of gives you while there,  and it can be a shocker for some of us. What was/is your experience in trying to start you own business/ finding a job in massage? I would especially like to hear from those of you who have been in massage for a while, at least two years. Did you jump right in cold turkey or did it take time for you to get the wheels turning? Did you work someplace else before starting your own practice? What did you do to get things to really heat up for you in massage?

 

[the chubbster]

Working outside of massage

I was in massage school when I was 19-20 (1996).  The youngest member of my class. I was working as the office manager for a chiropractor and would go to class in the evening.  Once I graduated from school, I continued to work for the chiropractor and did a few massages at his office.Massage was still pretty new to the area and there were not many places to work at regarding doing massage.  I can't remember how long it was before I left the chiropractor (not too long after school), but I then started working full-time doing massage.I have worked for my school, 2 spa's, and a chiropractor.Once I left the first spa, I slowly started to work for myself more.  Just a few clients that followed me from the spa and one chair massage job.The majority of my work was done while at the chiropractor's office.  That has been getting increasingly worse as a work environment.About 5 months ago, I decided that what I truly wanted and was happy with was working for myself, I cut back my hours at the chiropractor's and I am now in the never-ending process of getting things going for myself.  In all the places that I have worked, I have never been happy with the way things were run.  Inconsistancies, frequent turn-over of employees, inethical practices.  I would constantly clash with owners that were only out for the money or people who ran businesses that they had no idea about.I have been thinking about getting a part-time job outside of massage, just so I can get out of the chiropractor's office.  But, things are growing quickly and I think with a little more patience, I will be able to leave without another job.  It has taken a lot of patience, learning from others, and support to get me here.  I can thank this board for teaching me a lot.I am at the beginning of something new and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes from here.   ;D

 

[ahtub]

I work full time an in office (workers' comp).  I got licensed and found a part-time massage position.  I would love to be done with the office job and do massage full time, but I've only been lic since 7/04 and I'm not ready to give up all the benefits the full time job offers.  When I can build a regular clientele to help my feel financially secure, then I would like to make the transition.  I'm impatient, but I've been told several times it will take awhile.  

 

[FiFi]

Working outside of massage

Most of my professional (non-massage) life, I've been a temp doing admin positions. I'm in school right now and will be graduating in December. Although I'd love to work immediately for myself, this may be feasible. I'll probably have to get at least a part time in the industry. But at least I can stop typing and filing for a living.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Well, I do not have a second job outside of massage (besides being a mommy).  After school I waited a while to find the right job.  I think so many recent grads go out looking for work and are just thankful to find a job...any job.  That isn't good enough for me and it shouldn't be for anyone else either.  I think that each person fresh out of school really needs to think about what it is they want in a massage career.  There are so many different types of massage jobs and so many different places to work.  Of course you may change your outlook once you see what a place is like or get some experience under your belt,  but I truly believe if you really sit and think for a while what it is your looking to do with massage, you'll find the right place for yourself without burning bridges quitting every job shortly after starting.  Doing things THAT way will really make your massage therapy career short-lived.  I started in a spa located in a corporate health facility.  I worked there almost 2 years before I decided to start my own business.  Actually, I got ticked off one day and gave my 2 week notice after getting PO'd for the last time.  I took an afternoon to think about where I would go and work from there.  I realized that at this point, every place was going to be the same, just different faces....so I opened my own place.  It all went very quickly after that.  Within 2 weeks I had found an office space, signed the lease, moved in and decorated and took my first client.  It has been awesome.  No idiots screwing up my schedule, no boss being unappreciative of my  work and time, no drama from other staff and most importantly...pride.  As I've stated before, I really do encourage everyone out of school to work somewhere first.  Of course there are people who make it on their own right out of school, but those are few and far between.  It is just a good idea to see what it's like somewhere else.  See how things run.  See how other businesses function, or don't function.  See how to take care of people.  Decide the things you want for yourself and your clients.  Develop your business and people skills where there is a constant flow of clientele.  There are so many more things I could mention but won't.  I have had my practice open now for about 7 months and things are going great.  I could not have done it without the clients that followed me from my last job.  Well, I could have but it would have been MUCH more difficult.  I have been fortunate enough to be pretty busy right off the bat.  I haven't had to do any advertising as I have built mainly from referrals.  I constantly trying to add new and unique touches to me and my business and I always try to make sure that my clients know how much I appreciate their business.  I think the most important thing is to love what you do.  If you do that, you'll find a way to make it work.Ok, sorry this turned out to be sooooooo long.   : ;D  There is just so much to say on this topic!

 

[trehugr4life]

I agree with you Tera, I worked at just about every type of massage establishment there is before opening up my own place and well, while I'm not as busy as I'd like to be, I am SO much happier!  In addition to massage though, I do some temp work occassionally, it fits my schedule and I can do it when I want.   I am thinking of taking a job in the clinic over at my old massage school (not massaging but as a supervisor)...something kind of steady I can do 2 days a week or so until business picks up.  I've also gotten involved with a nutrition company, Shaklee, trying to promote that part to give me a secondary income that will complement my massage practice.

 

[Seg]

Working outside of massage

There is a great thread somewhere in the Business Forum about opening your business.  I will try to search it out and post the link here.  It may have some useful info for you.  

Found it.  

Starting a New Business
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1017

 

[murry43]

I went straight from school to my own business. I had a good ten years experience in small business management and startups so I just dove right in. This was last May ('04) and I've made my rent every month. I work part-time as a temp, my husband's job has the insurance coverage we need so my income is supplemental. I have a small client base with multiple regulars. I had heard so many horror stories about working for people and spas that I didn't want to chance that. To each his/her own though I guess.One thing that really worked to get clients in the door was to offer some giant discounts. I got most of my regulars hooked on 50% and 40% discounts last summer, now they're fine with paying full price. Americans are insane about discounts, we hate paying retail and we love a bargain!  ;D

 

[rythm of infinty]

I went right into private practice out of school.  I started by doing hotel outcalls, then my ex-boyfriend bought an ad for me and let me use his massage office to get started.  Eventually, I moved into my own office and went from there.I still do occasionally work in my pre-massage profession:  I do contract work at parties and conventions, reading palms, tarot cards, or sometimes crystal ball.  I have been doing this for nearly 20 years.  Part of why I still like doing it is because I get to dress up and feel pretty.   The last event I did was night before last; last year, I didn't work at all.