Rented Room at Chiro's Office -- Discouraged

[Relheok]

Hello everyone...I thought I'd wait until I've been there over a month to post this. Starting in mid-April, I began renting an office (part-time from 4-8 p.m. from Mon-Saturday) at a chiropractor's office. Other than the clients I go out and scrounge for and book appointments there for (which aren't many just yet), absolutely none of his clients seem to want to book a massage with me. I asked him about a week ago how many clients does he have come in every week. He stated that he has about 35 clients/week. It's amazing that with 140 clients per month, not one of them has tried to book an appointment with a massage therapist there on site. Now, granted, I'm only there from 4-8 p.m. everyday but surely a few folks would be interested in after-work times. I have placed business cards up, coupons for $10 off up, and I've even placed a binder out there on the counter with my rates on the front of it and calendar pages for them to schedule their own appointment date/time so all they have to do is take a few minutes to put their name in the book or they could call me to schedule. None of the above seem to be working. I am really at a loss as to why no one's scheduling. The chiropractor made it clear to me when I began renting from him that he was in no way responsible for helping me get clients so unless he's trying to turn his clients completely off from getting a massage (from me), which I wouldn't understand why he would since he's renting office space to an MT for some reason.I'm a little frustrated and I don't think they will allow me to put up a "MASSAGE ON SITE" sign as they are VERY conservative and his wife (who is the secretary there) is extremely *Royal* and territorial --almost borderline. I've tried to just ignore her attitude but she definitely would never consider helping anyone try to book a massage there. I'm probably not expressing the problems I'm having at that office very well but the point is I'm considering giving them (2 weeks) notice at the end of this month and saying that after a couple of months at their place w/o at least one of their chiro clients interested in massage, it is not (financially) in my best interest to continue renting from them/at that location and will seek another chiro's office to rent space from -- someone a little more laid back, easy-going and who genuinely feels massage is ideal for their clients complete recovery.So does everyone agree with me on the time-table I'm giving it? Any/all thoughts on the matter are of course appreciated and considered thoroughly. Be well,Jen

 

[blak diamond]

Jen,I had a similar situation when I rented my first space in a chiro office.  Unless the chiropractor is actively talking up massage as a useful adjunct to chiropractic, the patients tend to turn a blind eye to the option even if the MT is standing right in front of them.  It may also be possible that his patients are confused by the fact that massage is available but that the doctor isn't recommending you.  Couple that with any hint of negativity from the reception desk and you have a slew of uninterested patients. If you can revisit the possibility of cross-referrals with the chiro, reminding him that helping your business to thrive will in turn help his business, then it may be worthwhile to stick it out a little longer.  Perhaps you could organize an open house in which to showcase your skills and meet some of the patients when they have more time available to talk to you and learn about the benefits of massage.If neither of these ideas is an option then I'd say cut bait. You are clearly unhappy with the situation and the current energetics of the office sound lousy.  JD

 

[bay232323]

 I have my own business, but I work for a chiro very PT during the week (I do mostly rehab services, no regular massage, some MFR & TPT). I do know that he does not tell his pts all the bennies of massage ( I do, however, sing the bennies of chiropractic!). I have had several of his pts tell me that they get more relief from pain with the work I do on them than with what he does. They have also said this to him, and lemme tell you, he dont like it. The chiros are ALSO very territorial. Alot of them  put more stock in what they do, and think of us more as a way to get more $ from insurance. Now, my business is next door to a different chiro, who sends me people all the time. Go figure. I would look into finding a chiro that values the service you provide, and side with one you get GOOD vibes from.

 

[Blonde Vegetarian]

I think the chiro would want to encourage clients to see you but if he doesn't and you're not being slighted by the front desk, I'd give it more time.  You've only been there a little over a month and a new venture is going to take much more time to build.  Of course, if the wife/receptionist is downselling/discouraging your services, you have an issue.  Perhaps the reason he's renting the room is simply to collect rent and not have to be part of building someone else's business.  It's your room, go for it. Hang on and make it work.  Promote yourself like mad and give it time.  This is always an interesting kind of post.  We long for that great rental space that is ours to succeed in without being an employee yet we still want someone to bring us clientele.  Unfortunately, we rarely get the best of both worlds. Good luck, Joe E.  Please let us know what you decide.  

 

[Shandi]

I worked in a Chiro/MD office for 14 years in California.  The practice was mainly insurance driven and I left last year after cutting back from 3 days/week to 1 afternoon/week.  Here are some observations that might help;The patients love massage but only if it's free-paid by insurance.  The chiro may not want to refer because he thinks he'll loose the patient-they are very territorial.  Many chiros where I live don't have masage in house because of this.  Most,but not all, chiros and MDs that I havae worked for or with are GREEDY, they are in it for the $.  Maybe this is why he just wants the room rent.  The healing touch is not a priority.  Remember, the chiro is a medical person with huge overhead and student loans to pay-starting out from school-$1600.00 per month in loan debts.  So they're selfish and self-centered.  Finally, I found many people wanted to get massage in a quiet, healing place-not the chiro's office.  Hope this helps,Rubmyster- working for myself and loving it.

 

[jill]

Hey Jen, I had to write one this one.  From my experience, I agree with everything most everyone had to say.  Chiro's are, quite simply, e-v-i-l.  I once respected thier work, before working for two, and afterwards I thank my lucky blessings that I used his clients for my learning curve while getting paid a low, but 'manageable' wage.  If you want to stay, then stay.  But, maybe, see if he'll do a perceneforum.xxxe of what you make; up to a maximum of your current rental amount.  It's a good way to pay-as-you-go and an even better way to get him moving and pumping some easy clients into the palms of your hands.  On the flip side of that, every single last chiro client I had did not, and would not, be willing to pay good money for an excellent massage unless thier insurance was flipping the bill.  It really chapped my ass when they'd come in and say "...yeah, I just did a 400lb squat/deadlift and my back is sore and stiff"  So the mentality for living a proactive lifestyle vs. "I get free adjustments and massages from my insurance company" has to be in place.  Otherwise they're just juicing you for a profitable and sellable billing service. My sense is that you've got great skills and are more than willing to work for it; so just do it.  You've gotten this far on your journey, just put one foot in front of the other and keep walkin' your path...it'll be there.    

 

[Xzara]

Well, I've had quite a mix of responses to my initial post on this topic. I must say that I agree with some of everyone's views on the subject. Overall, though, I feel that I need to not simply stay at the first place I've checked out/rented if my (gut) instincts say I may not be welcome there 100%. I need to know that the chiropractor I work with is just as supportive of what I do as I am of what he does. While I do realize the importance that insurance plays in all this, then maybe I need to start seriously considering accepting it regardless of what chiro's office I end up at. If my memory serves me correctly, I believe there was another thread in this forum that addressed insurance billing and all that is involved with it. I think I will learn as much as I can about it to see if it's lucrative for me to start doing this. I met and talked to another chiropractor at this past weekend's festival where I was a vendor. He came over to talk to my colleague and I about expressing interest in renting out one of his offices to a massage therapist. His personality seemed MUCH MORE easy-going, friendly, and overall flexible compared to the current chiro I know. I am to come to his office tomorrow afternoon and "check it out". If all goes as well as I think it will, I'll be putting my notice in at my current office and setting up at the new one (which is right on the main interstate (I-35) in the metro area so the location can't be beat) at the first of next month.I do want to say thanks for everyone's input and suggestions though and am once again glad that this web site is here for us.  ;DBe well,Jen

 

[Mister Hat]

His terms are unnacceptable. I personally do not feel it wise to put yourself in such a degrading position. I do not see any advaneforum.xxxes in that environment -  only hard lessons in business/ethics management.

 

[littleevilzombiegirl]

warmD: re: stats YiKeS!

Now that you have spelled out the stats, let me say that it does not sound like a good situation at all. In fact it sounds awful. You need someone who is going to be more supportive and less arrogant.Don't burn any bridges by saying something that you will regret, but don't waste any time on this situation either. After all you have told us, it does not look like a win/win situation. It looks like a mess.-Melody

 

[Alexa.Ann]

Hey now...I thought this was my topic  hehe...just kidding...glad someone could jump in and talk about a similar situation to mine. WarmD, if you do a 3-month trial basis, make sure you have the option to leave before the 3 months is up in case you realize all too quickly that things are NOT fair, eh?At any rate, I went and talked to another chiro yesterday afternoon (that I met at a recent festival) and our discussion went fairly well. I voiced my reasons for looking for another chiro office within which to do business, obviously choosing my words carefully and with professionalism. He seemed very understanding of what I was looking for and was completely in agreement about needing/wanting the mutual support of one another's practices. He expressed an interest in putting up a banner stating Massage Therapy on site (excellent to hear) and he also asked if I would be willing to provide a 5-10 minute free massage to new clients (to help get them in the door for both of us) which I am fine doing, and his wife even offered to book my massages for me (yet another excellent thing to hear). The ONLY two negative things that I see about this chiro office is the room is only 8 x 11 so a little cramped for my taste AND their 9 month old baby is with them at the office so I'm not sure how quiet it will be throughout the days. However, we are going to be starting out on a month-to-month lease to make sure everything works out for each side. The only thing I have to think about is do I want to start accepting peoples' insurance. I will most likely not do that right at first so I can see if everything works out between the chiro and me. If after a few months, it seems to be going smoothly, then I will apply for the same insurance companies that they accept and will go from there.His wife is coming to one of my offices this Friday for a free half hour massage so the chiro feels comfortable referring his clients to me. We will then have the weekend to think it over and on Monday will meet to discuss and either agree on my "joining" or not joining the office.Regardless, I put in my week's notice already with the other chiro office I've been at so they wouldn't charge me for any of the month of June. If it does NOT work at this new chiro place, there is actually another chiro office I could end up renting from in August so hopefully everything will work out in the end regardless of where I end up. Sorry for the long-windedness but thought a few of you might care how it's going for me on this journey of mine.Be well,Jen