Are you okay with coming to my home for your appointment?

[AffessyAdjurf]

I will be graduating from myomassology school in four months (Feb 2006) and I am currently seeking out the best place to house my business (I plan on practicing independently). I am entertaining several ideas, including operating from my home, exclusively making outcalls, and renting private office space. I am particularly drawn to operating from my home, because I would like to specialize in relaxation therapy and will also provide some spa services, and would therefore like to create a warm, comforting, "homey" environment. But I am concerned that my clients may feel wary about coming to get a massage at someone's home, especially since I plan on targeting pregnant women and geriatric clients.

What do you think? Would you feel comfortable, as Joe Schmo client, coming to your therapist's home for relaxation massage/spa services? I would love to hear everyone's feedback.

 

[Caroline]

In my area it is illegal to work out of your home. I personally wouldn't do it because I like to separate my work from my home life.

I did strictly outcall for a year and loved it.

 

[Joe Schmo]

Congratulations on graduating!! And welcome to the board! I'm finished with mt school in February. What an exciting time!

I'm not out practicing yet, but I agree in concept with Balance. I do practice sessions at my house, and am quite aware of some of the short-comings.

When I'm working on someone, it's quite difficult for my wife to be here. The house is small and noise carries easily.

There's only one bathroom and it's clear across the house next to the bedroom.

Because people need to walk through the house to get to my work space, the place has to be clean and orderly all the time (it's an incentive to keep the house clean, but I'm not sure I want to be beholden to that always)

I have a nice, separate work space in the basement which is quite cozy. But still, having run a business of my own out of the house before, and Lynette having her business out of the house for a few years, I know first hand that when it's around, it's hard not to be drawn to it beyond "closing time". If it's in a separate space, it's much easier to set limits about when and how you conduct business.

I'll probably keep doing a limited number of sessions at my home, assuming the people I have been practicing with become clients, and that I'll be picking up new ones as I go. But I think that at a point where I have more than 3-4 a week, I'll definitely be looking for an office space; either shared or independent.

Best of luck to you, BlueHairedFairie

 

[RAO M.K.]

welcome! t006

from a financial standpoint, mobile services have the cheapest overhead. followed by a home office and, obviously the rented office is most expensive.

you can perform almost any spa service if there is a shower available~ this includes hotel rooms, homes, and even some offices. also there are plenty of services that do not require a shower.


i would consider whether you are comfortable having people you don't know in your home. do you have pets that would possibly be an allergent to the clients? if i recall, the therapists on this board that have previously talked about their home based businesses, said they worked almost exclusively from referrals from existing clients so they would be more safe. they realize that limits the growth of their business.

obviously, i prefer mobile. i would not care for clients in my home. i actually enjoy new environments for every call.
good luck

 

[rYokucHa]

Are you okay with coming to my home for your appointment

But I am concerned that my clients may feel wary about coming to get a massage at someone's home, especially since I plan on targeting pregnant women and geriatric clients.

Not to discourage you from your idea but I wanted to point out that if your target range is people who have a hard time moving around, you may need to be handicap accessible. This may or may not apply to your pregnant clients but definately to your geriatric clients.

The clinic I work in is on the ground floor and because the halls & doorways are wide enough for wheelchairs and walkers we get a lot more people that need a little assistance getting around. A lot spas and massage offices aren't handicap accessible and I think this may affect how they are able to reach the elder population and the more infirm. Just something to think about.

 

[Thong]

I currently have a home office and it is working well for me. Eventually I would like to have a seperate location, but I am working towards that goal and working from home is helping to make that easier.

Here are some past discussions that you might find helpful:

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3011

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1535&highlight=business

 

[morbidlybeautiful]

I have had a home based buisness and I LOVE IT!!!! I work mostly by referals and yes, that does limit my clientele but I also have a 3 yo so it works out ok to be home. My take, I have done it all, the health clubs the Chiros office and the Spas. They were all ok but never exactly what I wanted in a space! I love having this space, my bathroom is right next door and my room is very cozy! My clients LOVE IT!!!! I can't stress that enough, it is quiet, warm and really relaxing! They always say how they love it so much more than else where cause of the homeyness of it! About the cleaning and other stuff, I keep the house clean, just do a little every day, I also have a dog and a place to put her when cliets come and she is NEVER in the treatment room!! Other than that I guess I would say go for it!! I love being able to be here and get my room ready and wash the dishes while I wait for the next client! One note, if it is a male I haven't seen before, my husband or male friend are ALWAYS here, I am not stupid!! Hope this helps!! Oh and WELCOME!!!

 

[sweetheart]

Thank you all for the replies received so far.

I guess the PRO's of working from my home would be that I live alone, I don't have any pets, I could provide a personalized, homey environment, and the overhead would be MUCH cheaper. The CON's would be that I'd have to be EXTREMELY selective about the clientele I would cater to, and I want to someday share my home with pets (and a husband, and possibly children). :shock:

What if I find a place to rent for a few years, build my clientele up, and THEN bring people to my home? My dream is to own enough land so that I can have my home and a separate unit for my massage area, like a converted garage or something, but complete with temperature controls, a bath/shower area and a sunroom. This property will also, of course, boast a breathtaking view of something. Me and my wild dreams, right?

 

[Pompal 09.]

I don't think that sounds wild at all!! It sounds PERFECT to me and I would love your space I think!! Just a consideration, do you plan to stay in the town you are in now, or move to another!! That was a big thing for me and my family when I started, I would hate to have taken such time and effort in building a thriving pratice and then turna nd move some where and have to do it all over again!! Just a thought to consider!!

 

[Lady P]

Sounds great to me! I am 27 but I have a 3 YO so I don't travel anymore, But I would say, DO IT NOW while you still can it is a blast!! Have fun!!

 

[Jan S]

What if I find a place to rent for a few years, build my clientele up, and THEN bring people to my home? My dream is to own enough land so that I can have my home and a separate unit for my massage area, like a converted garage or something, but complete with temperature controls, a bath/shower area and a sunroom. This property will also, of course, boast a breathtaking view of something. Me and my wild dreams, right?

keep your passion. it will propel you through your career. it's a great thing. t023

as to you original question~ can you start one way and then move into another? absolutely. it's your canvas and you should paint it any way you want.

cheers

 

[babunirbaba]

does anyone ever had a problem with retaining clientele when moving to a different location? I understand that a practioner may lose a few clients under those circumstances, but has anyone had a DEVISTATING loss of clients due to a move?

 

[?hum H]

does anyone ever had a problem with retaining clientele when moving to a different location? I understand that a practioner may lose a few clients under those circumstances, but has anyone had a DEVISTATING loss of clients due to a move?

I moved about a mile from another location a number of years ago, and had to practice out of a "temporary" office before the new one was finished, for about 1 month. I lost enough people in the transition to make it "rough". Then about 6 months into the new space, I got hit with a flood and was in renovations for quite some time. Since I was re-bounding from the initial move and "rough" spot, it pretty much took two years to get back to somewhat normal again.

Just to give you one persons journey.

Devastating, no, not to me. But, I am pretty sure someone else would have called it just that, and quit. All depends on how you look at things, I think.

 

[pickin5strings]

Devastating, no, not to me. But, I am pretty sure someone else would have called it just that, and quit. All depends on how you look at things, I think.

*Great* attitude, Texas-gal! I admire that.

 

[Crimson]

Are you okay with coming to my home for your appointment

What do you think? Would you feel comfortable, as Joe Schmo client, coming to your therapist's home for relaxation massage/spa services? I would love to hear everyone's feedback.

Initially I would have no problem going to a practitioner's home. I would probably google or mapquest the address to see where it is located first. Then, if that is agreeable to me, once I got there I would make another assessment...how the environement feels energetically (breathtaking views sound wonderful), do I feel safe. Lastly, once inside I would make other personal assessments, and these will be different for each person (whether they are a therapist, or not).

I went to a practitioner's home once, and all I could smell was what the family had for supper. The room was separate and downstairs, although same front entrance. As I came in the house that was all I could smell. I would not go back if there were many disturbances like this. But like I said, initially I would not have problem at all...in other words, the thought of going to someone's home for treatment is not a negative in my perspective.

Congrats on your upcoming graduation, and Cheers to your dreams!!

 

[vballchicka204]

hey there! i'm in mi. too! you know, i was just talking to one of my clients about this very subject earlier today. she said there is a woman that she knows who is a massage therapist but she won't go to her because she doesn't want to go to her house to get the massage. she also said that she knows a lot of other people that won't see her for that very same reason. everybody is different. unless you are totally set in working from your home, look around at different office space that is available for lease. i think you'd be surprised at how inexpensive some places are. i have my own office and i love it. i never have a problem making the rent and making money for myself and my rent is not as cheap as it could be (i have a space that is a little too big for just one person). and i personally think that outcalls stink! they're ok once in a while but think about trekking your stuff in and out of homes all day when it's 10 degrees outside and there's 3 feet of snow on the ground - does it sound worth the little bit of money you'd save not paying rent?

ps... let me know when you've got to finish some of your professionals ~ i could REALLY use a massage! :wink:

 

[Mallory]

Sure, terab, we can keep in touch.

I BOUGHT MY MASSAGE TABLE YESTERDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so flippin' happy!!!!! Look at all the exclamation points!!!!!!

It's an Earthlite Table. Originally I wanted to get an Oakworks table, but I caught a REALLY good sale on the Earthlite and I couldn't pass it up!!!

Well, I need to look for another place to stay. I live in an apt. complex, and practicing a business on the grounds is a violation of the rental agreement, and I don't want to get into another blowout with my landlady. Fists will fly, I'm telling you...http://essaysbyblu.blogspot.com/2005/08/oh-no-this-Female Dog-didnt.html

 

[armouror2000]

congrts Blu!!! t041

 

[Metallica]

home office

I just moved my practice into my home after 9 years of having it in various types of office spaces. I purchased a large (4200+ sq ft) victorian home right on the historic drive here in my town and have the massage room in the main part of the house. My clients love it, they enjoy the homey feeling and have enjoyed reading and hearing about all of the remodeling we have been doing.
And yes, you do have to keep the house clean and smelling fresh and must keep the pets out of the client areas, but that isn't really hard to do if you keep after the cleaning. The clients come in my front door, through the foyer and living room into the massage room, and there is a bathroom attached to the massage room so that is very convenient for them too.
I am loving working from home, love the freedom it gives me to do other things when I have time between clients. I won't ever go back to an outside office unless something drastic happens.

Healingtouch

 

[ms.prissy]

Congratulations!

I'm *so* happy for you! Congratulations and good luck! Keep us posted as to how things work out!