starting out on your own...

[OscarMeyerRina<3]

for those of you in private practice, could you share your story (s) about whether you took out a loan, went through the SBA, had a backer, or what - how you got the start up to open your private practice.  thanks in advance!  

 

[Nala]

It didn't take much for me to get going on my own.  Already had the table, sheets, lotions and all that was necessary to do the massage.  I needed the first and last month's rent, which wasn't a lot of money.  I gallon or two of paint and some manual labor from my daughter, her boyfriend, my husband and a friend and my office was pretty much set to go.  I bought an inexpensive cabinet from Lowe's and a few decorations for the walls.  It didn't all add up to much and I had it in a Savings account so I didn't need a loan.

 

[yume]

same here - manual labor and a little chunk from my savings account.    You can make it as complicated as you want, but i found it just plain easiest to use what i had and work with it.  When i started making a profit it was just that - profit.    You can also contact the city business development office, when I needed to re-open my business (lost an office to a fire) i was given $500 grant from the city.  That helped out alot.

 

[Pompal 09.]

starting out on your own...

I started out with $1000.00. from my tax returns. And I had table and stuff. I work for a spa for a couple of years. and got tired of them getting money that I could have use to pay rent and utilites. Now I have hired another massage therptist so that I can take off a couple of days a week to be with my childern.

 

[_Hill_]

thanks for your stories.  i am about to take the huge leap from working in a spa for 6 years to opening my own wellness clinic.    i'm surprised out how little startup cash i need, considering i have all of my equipment - much less money that i thought!luck to all of you

 

[Ruth velasquez]

starting out on your own...

Be careful at underestimating start up costs.Cashflow troubles are what kill most new businesses, usually when your quarterly taxes are due.You should have at least 3 (some advise 6) months of rent (office and home) utilities, food and other living expenses before hanging out your shingle.This is after your advertising budget, credit card processing costs, licenses etc (sorry HappyHands, but those spas earn the money they don't pay you covering these and many other expenses)

 

[mktmonitor]

you guys are such realists!  thanks for your imput too.  my rent is 600 with the ability to sublease...and i've allotted myself 5k.  i have *most* everything, and have set up barters for advertisement, etc.  *luckily* i've already paid all of my estimated taxes for the year.  i'm trying to use as much wisdom as possible and budget as best as i can.  my sweet husband has the business mind, so i'll have someone looking over my shoulder.thanks, too, for all of the website advice in the other thread(s).  getting that (and the hosting) on a barter as well!  in the past, bartering has brought me lots of new clients because the trade ones are so happy with regular therapy.  thanks again for all of your adviceamanda

 

[Maddie]

Breathe,Do you feel that looking completely established has brought you more business than if you had gone slowly and not done so much so fast?  Are you in an area where competition is hight?  Is your facility attracting "high end" consumers?  Very curious, I also feel if I ever opened a place that I own it should look "completely established".  Thank you for your input.LeContefairy

 

[XxXanYniiXxX]

starting out on your own...

Thanks Breathe,I agree, I think looking established from the beginning is important.  I think that is why I am holding off on moving my practice, I am not ready to spend the money it would take to redo an older home so it would look established.  I rent the house out now and am saving incase I decide I want to own a spa with other employees besides myself.  I am glad to know I am not the only one who feels like if I can't do most of what I want now, I would prefer to not do it now.Nice website!LeContefairy

 

[Ashleigh P]

starting out on your own...

Don't underestimate the value of confidence.Too many new therapists feel they have to be available 24 / 7, accomodate every request or their hard found clients will go elsewhere.If you are always available, clients will begin to wonder why you are not busier.If the one of the top three reasons your clients keep coming back is "you are always available" something needs to change. Having the confidence to tell a client NO is step #1

 

[Cjfogler15]

starting out on your own...

I tell my client that I only have one or two times a day. like a 2 o'clock or a 5o'clock. Your right that way I seem busy than I am and they will book further in the next time. Its working. Im getting more book.

 

[Mahesh N]

Hello all,I'm currently in the process of opening my own place as well. I will have 3 treatment rooms and am trying to decide if I should have MTs come in under commission or charge them rent. آ My rent for the building I'm in will be $1800 a month. I will also have electricity, phone etc.  to pay and will be supplying fully furnished rooms and supplies. آ Any suggestions on renting rooms vs. charging a commission and how much would you charge for rent and how much commision would you take?Thanks!!!! I have a couple of months to decide what I want to do. I'm leaning more towards the commission at 55% them and 45% me.Thanks for any input!!! Susie

 

[Pompal 09.]

Breathe,I forgot to mention that I am renting a building just adjacent to a hair salon that has been in business for 15+ years. The hair salon just purchased this property and moved in about 2 months ago. There is 5 hair stylist there and 4 of them don't take new clients because they are full. They are all high end haircuts and color starting @ $45 a haircut. Their hair clients do pretty well (they have the money).I have been doing chair massage there for the past few Tuesdays and recieved some new clients and seen that a few of my regular massage clients go to the salon for haircuts.  I will be renting a totally seperate building just adjacent to the hair salon. I will have my own name and totally be my own business. I have no doubt that the business won't do well because of the fact of feeding off the hair salon that shares the same parking lot. I personallly have been doing massages at the same place for 2 years now and have quite a clientel. I beleive that they will follow me as I will only be moving about 3/4 mile down the road.I couldn't have asked for a more perfect situation.

 

[ne14funstuff]

[quote author=RelaxandRejuvenate link=board=bus;num=1119232344;start=0#12 date=07/05/05 at 14:15:14]Don't underestimate the value of confidence.Too many new therapists feel they have to be available 24 / 7, accomodate every request or their hard found clients will go elsewhere.[/quote]This is soooo true!!!!!I encourage all new practitioners to set regular hours and stick to them.  It is so easy to get caught up in the fear that if you can't take someone immediately that you will lose them.  This isn't true.  What is important is handling that call with confidence and giving them options on when you can fit them into your schedule.I don't take walk-ins or same day appts nor work weekends.  My schedule is clearly defined as certain hours on certain days.  More often than not most people, while initially surprised that I can't just take them whenever they want to come in, develop a respect and understanding that my time is valuable and that I'm a professional.

 

[Jessica Rabbit 7 ???????]

starting out on your own...

if i didnt take same day appointments id go under fast. men for some reason always want same day appointments. you get a few that will wait a few days. but most men want it that day or they are off to someone else.

 

[oden13]

bodyfocus, I've a fairly large number of male clients calling for appts.  I don't have problems scheduling them for when I have appt openings even if the opening is two weeks from the day they call.