Working for myself first

[GoodMassage]

Is it better to start working at a gym or with a spa to gain some experience first. Or would it be OK just to start out on my own. Anyone done the same? I am thinking that the money is better when working for myself although I guess it would be hard to get clients at first. What would be a good length of time to work at a Spa before going out on my own and could I bring those clients with me when I left?

- Richard

[darkredbot]

I'm just starting out in this myself, but as far as I can tell there seems to be a bit of a catch-22 involved in this question. I've been looking for a job at a spa and a lot of them want you to be an independent contractor with your own business license and clientele. sometimes they'll just rent you the room. In my opinion the spas aren't really offering much. self-employment offers more autonomy and more money, but it takes patience and persistence...go for it!

[polar LMT]

i say do what you feel is right im fresh out of shcool and i found a nice size space a place to call my own though i still have a second job because i know it will take awhile to get clientel i do chair massage at my local curve health club and the money i make there pays for my office rent

[dawn_lyn]

Yes, you can take clients with you if you work at a Spa etc. and eventually leave. The hardest thing about working for yourself is bringing in the clients. I have been practicing massage therapy for almost three years part-time on my own. My client base is forever a work in progress. You will live and die by your weekly regulars ... people with at ton of money and the time to commit and athletes in competition. Your one offs are nice but they don't really pay the bills. Get out there and network; go to places where you will meet potential clients for that reason alone. Where a t-shirt identifying yourself as an MT and they will seek you out. Good Luck!

[flashcrimson]

I've been an LMT for 10 years, currently self-employed and owner of an office that has 6 therapists. I've never worked in a spa, but I have worked in other offices owned by other therapists.

The pros to working in someone else's setting are: (1) you don't have to worry about overhead and upkeep. You just pay your rent or your percentage and let someone else handle the headaches. (2) if it's an established locale, you will have access to a better client base and the chance to distinguish yourself to them. (3) the business generally handles all the advertising, although you may be asked to chip in. (4) there's generally someone there to answer the phone if you're in session (5) others are around to talk shop.

Cons are that (1) you have to pay rent or a percentage of your fee to the owner. (2) they generally frown on your taking clients with you if you leave....after all, they're the business' clients, not just yours. (3) you don't get a lot of say in the decorations or the way the business operates. (4) you may not get to set your own hours.

Pros to being on your own are: (1) you get to set your own rates and keep all your income. (2) you get to be in charge of every little detail of your office. (3) you set your own policies and your own hours

Cons to being on your own include: (1) slower to build up clientele, (2) you're responsible for all the overhead, and it can be tremendous, (3) no receptionist to take care of phone calls while you're working, (4) you have to do all the marketing yourself (5) there's no one around to bounce ideas off of, (6) you might not be able to get as nice a place

The best way to proceed depends greatly on the type of person you are. Would you rather just do your therapy and your SOAP notes and let someone else handle the details of running an office, or do you relish being able to design and build your own business from the ground up? There are expenses either way that eat into your income. Plus, what sort of setting would you ideally like to work in? If you're most at home in a fitness center or a full-blown spa, it's hard to create and run one of those on your own. But if a private office is more your style, that's very do-able. Also, many medical, sports, or beauty-oriented settings would be willing to simply rent a room, which gives you exposure and control.

Expect to have to supply your own massage license and liability insurance and sometimes your linens and oils regardless of your setting.

In my case, I knew I enjoyed the details of running an office and being able to create my own environment. I first worked in other offices so I could observe how others did things. When I set out on my own in a new town, I first worked out of my home, holding another job to make ends meet. Then I rented a room within another business, and eventually rented my own building. I built slowly, making sure I had enough income to afford the overhead of the next step. It was slow going, but i'm very glad I did it that way rather than amassing lots of debt.

[Julia]

I am fresh out of school and decided to open my own office! Yikes, a little scarey, but I like the idea of running my own show. I owned my own hair salon business for 20 years , spent 2 years in the "corporate" world and decided to do massage therapy. Luckily I have a very supporting (emotionally and financially) husband! That helps a ton. I have spent about $4,000.00 total for initial rent, furnishings, laptop, Massage manager software program, sheets, towels, etc. The office is ready to roll, now comes marketing! Hopefully clients soon too. :D