Would like opinions-First interview (LONG)

[Pompal 09.]

Hi all, my question is this: what are your thoughts on taking an IC position as your first gig fresh out of school?

I contacted the owner of a wellness center (as well as owners of several others places I was interested in) asking if she was hiring and if I could get more info. She responded the same day (this was via email) that she was currently interviewing for an LMT and that I could send her my resume. She also mentioned that that arangement is as an independant contractor who pays a percent, and is responsible for their own advertising (though some clients will be through her business' advertisments). She is an LMT and has owned and operated the center for over 10 years.

I sent her my resume and we set up my interview for this coming Tuesday afternoon. She sounded very nice on the phone and plans on setting up a second appt. for the hands on interview if things go well at the first.

The reason I'd like your thoughts on this may be obvious; I have no experience in the "real world" yet, and am somewhat less than confident in my skills and ability to market myself enough to gain the clients I'll need to earn enough money at this point. Also I don't have the supplies (sheets, oils, etc.) I'd need to start working for myself right now

I had been hopeing for an "employee" position to ease me into the swing of things. I focused on the eastern modalities while in school which I feel are harder to market, hence my concern of being able to attract clients.

** This is the part where I wine about all my troubles t022 **
Besides what I've already mentioned, I am in something of a scattered state of mind right now. In January I graduated, took the state board and moved in with my folks. In February my grandmother died a week before my birthday, and the day after my birthday I was struck by a kidney stone. Four agonizing days and one trip to ER later has left me with medical bills exceeding $4000.00 and I'm still waiting to get rid of the kidney stone. I've had to apply for Medicaid as my money has gone to pay my school loans and I am broke. Oh yeah, I also got a jury summons for this Monday. When I called to get a postponement I was too late (they didn't give the time limit on the summons :banghead: ) I am hopeing that they will dismiss me on grounds of a medical condition (I have to drink at least a gallon of H2O a day and have to run to the bathroom every 20 minutes or so). Not to mention I may have to postpone my interview. t102

I need somesort of income at this point and since none of the other places I contacted had openings, I feel like the IC position may be my only chance. I'm very good at managing my finances when I do have money, I'm just not confident that I can do the whole "getting clients and providing all the needed supplies myself" thing right now.

Argh! I need a massage! t108

 

[Margarete]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I hope everything clears up for you soon.

About wanting to be an employee rather than an IC....

Being an employee doesnt guarantee you will be paid no matter what. A lot of employees are only paid when they work, similar to when you are an IC, but different.

I started off on my own right after school and did fine. If you are confident in your skills and good with your hands you will go no where but up in this field, whether or not you work for someone else or for yourself. The more bodies you get your hands on the better you will become.

I think being an IC and only paying a percent is a great way to start. If you dont work, you dont get paid, just like a lot of people who are employees. The only difference is as an IC you can make your own hours and set your own rates.

 

[DelightfulDevilishDreams]

First of all, hugs to you! t056 That's a lot to go through.

There are two schools of thought on working right out of massage school. One is to get a part-time job with guaranteed pay & hours (not necessarily massage-related) to help pay the bills as you build your massage practice. The other is to put 100% of your efforts into building your practice, using any time between clients to market yourself. Which idea appeals best to you? I did option 1, and it helped with the money stress. I was even lucky enough to find a part-time job with benefits. Simultaneously, I worked part-time as a massage therapist, and as I gained more clients, I was soon able to resign from the non-massage job. So you might consider expanding your job search to look for something like that.

If you'd prefer to work 100% in massage therapy, then go for it! You can definitely succeed! Read all the threads here on marketing. There's lots of great information. Set a goal for yourself to implement 3 marketing ideas every week as you build your clientele. A lot of the best ideas cost little or no money at all. As for your concern about not being able to afford sheets & oil. Remember, you don't have to buy a lot to start out, as long as you're willing to do laundry every night. Don't let this small expense stop you. Who knows? Maybe this LMT could be your mentor, in addition to providing you with a place to build your practice. It could be a great opportunity!

As for your focus on Eastern Medicine, that can work to your benefit. Where I live, there are many massage therapists, but very few who practice eastern modalities. The one therapist who does Shiatsu built her practice faster than anyone else, because she offered something unique. Don't downplay your eastern skills; promote them!

Good luck! Things will get better from here!

 

[man demon]

As for sheets:

- if you are doing shiatsu, you only need a sheet to cover your table, and tell them to dress in sweats or yoga attire.

- look at the threads on sheets, I have bought sheets at either a wholesaler, irregulars or Ikea cheap!!! You don't need expensive sheets to get the job done, you just need something that is clean!

 

[baby face]

I agree,Ikea rocks,and has wonderfully inexpensive sheets-buy about 7 sets to start, irregulars,clearance sales,seasonal sales-that way you have one set to use each day. Hit the whole foods market for some unscented cream or oils,such as grapeseed,almond or jojoba to work with,and off you go.Did you buy a table for school? If not,see if you can borrow one to use use until you can buy one or check the massage table manufacturer websites, like Earthlite,Golden Ratio or Oakworks-they sometime have demo tables or "scratch and dents" for sale,with minimal damage that are not too expensive.Hope all goes great with your interview-be 100% in your skills,trust those hands and you'll be OK!! Relax and breathe! Having a mentor can help alot-in fact I still trade with mine once a month.Marketing is a breeze-hit up Vistaprint for some free biz cards, go to the comp and design some nice looking flyers and start the word of mouth advertising-the rest will fall into place in its own time-stay upbeat during the first few weeks after you get started cause they can be rough with low clientele,but hang in there,and they will find you. A good friend told me this mantra to keep me going in my early building seforum.xxxes-- "Make one client smile and they will tell two"--the rest will follow.

Namaste'
Johnny

 

[Willy]

As Gratelakes says, I've been an IC... and am now an Employee at the spa I currently work at. Either way I only get paid for "hands on" time...

Regarding sheets:

Watch the end caps/clearance at Target. I know my sister picked up a set of twin jersey ones for her granddaughter there a couple days ago for $5.
They sometimes have pretty good deals on their other sheets too, but you have to keep an eye on it.

When I get new sheets I have a tendency to "donate" the old ones to other MTs I know who don't have enough sets. I've done this a couple times already... Makes you feel really good when you go to trade with them and they tell you they've gotten lots of compliments on the sheets you gave them! :

Regarding table:

Some MTs may have replaced their table and might have an older one to loan or available for sale or rent. My Earthlite Avalon is 10 years old but really hasn't had a lot of hard use, I do outcalls in addition to working in a spa, and it was getting hard to lug the the heavy table around.
In January I bought a nice but lightweight massage table at Sam's Club, and I've been pretty happy with it. Cost was about $240.

Read the threads here in Marketing and stuff, ask questions, there's lots of people here pulling for you!

 

[Pompal 09.]

I think a practical way of doing it is getting a part time job doing something, not necessarily massage. Then spend the rest of the time developing your own clientel whether at a SPA or your own practice. Eventually your practice will grow and you can quit your part time job.

Jason

 

[Deena Lockers]

Thank you!

You guys are just wonderful t007 Thank you so much for your advice, and encouragement! I feel much more confident about my interview tomorrow and the idea of finding clients. No matter how the interview turns out I feel more positive about things now. :whew:

Blisss, you reminded me that my alumni advisor also mentioned the idea of a niche market regarding Shiatsu t023

I have to be grateful as even though money is tight my folks are being very patient in letting me stay with them so my expenses are much less then if I was still on my own. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for bargains on sheets now.

I did have the foresight when I started school to get my own table. It's not perfect but it is very lightweight and does the job. And my B-day present was a massage chair :biggringift:

Anyhoo, again thanks to everybody for your responses. I'll be sure to let you know how my interview goes. Oh, and my jury summons got postponed for at least a couple of weeks; I'm not sure when I'll get called again but I'm sure I'll be in a better position to serve then. :jiggy:

-Lauren*^_^*

 

[Sami. K]

Lauren, please keep us posted! It's always great to see how one's practice progresses over time. And you never know what encouragement you might be able to provide for others!
We're cheering for you! :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

 

[Dr Fegg]

update

So I had my interview Tuesday and I think it went very well. I got a lot of information and will be doing the hands on part next Tuesday. t026 Things look very good for me being able to take this position; she was especially intrigued by my being able to offer Sotai (aka: "Japanese chiropractics") as well as Shiatsu and later on Thai, which is not something any of the others MT's offer currently, so this may be the niche I need! t063

Right now it all seems a bit overwhelming and I know things will be slow for a while as I will have a long commute to start with, and I am still trying to find time and money to pick up needed supplies (like a shiatsu mat! t005 ), but my family is really supportive so I'm optimistic. I'm not going into this looking to make a lot of money, and I know I won't; mostly I just want the hands on experience it'll provide (though it'd be nice if I can pay my loans each month ). Not to mention the community and mentoring the owner/other therapists are willing to offer should really help.

Anyhoo, I'm staying positive and shall post another update here after my other interview. t024

 

[Welcome to the end]

Just wanted to let you know about this thread for mats:

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1223

it has a list of sites that offer mats....

Also I purchased flannel fabric to make into flat sheets and it only cost about $6 per sheet, but it's sized for a massage table not a thai mat. And of course I've got to hem them myself.

Best wishes.

 

[Mom]

Just wanted to let you know about this thread for mats:

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1223

it has a list of sites that offer mats....

Also I purchased flannel fabric to make into flat sheets and it only cost about $6 per sheet, but it's sized for a massage table not a thai mat. And of course I've got to hem them myself.

Best wishes.

akb, thanks for the link and great idea!