Hi to all Irish HP'ers, this forum is quiet isn't it:(. Is it a sign that people aren't getting much work or is the opposite and you are all so busy you don't have time to be on the internet? My friend and I have been working out of a complementary therapy centre since last May doing reflexology, aromatherapy etc. It was ok and we were building a small return clientele. However we came to the conclusion that in order to earn a living we really needed to incorporate beauty - waxing, nails, tanning etc in order to build a good base of clientele. We found a really good beautician and she has really improved the footfall over the threshold. Our prices are very competitive in order to get the clients to come in and the owner of the centre saw the people coming and thought we must be making money (not true, we are actually running at a loss) and changed the arrangements from €10 per hour to wanting a direct debit of €35 each (the 2 of us and the beautician we employ = €105) per week for 5 hours whether we had work or not. I understand that he needs to secure his income but we reckoned that in reality we would not be getting 15 hours for the 105 but more likely it would just be 5 as we would be there at the same time.
Here is the dilemma, do we try to get our own place, where we will have free run and be able to advertise ourselves the way we want to or do we suck it up and stay.????
Your advice and insight would be gratefully appreciated.
C
Do you have a contract with this centre owner? You may need to read the small print - if 3 therapists are sharing the same space (couch? chairs?) then he may be overstepping the mark and seeing you as a bit of a cash cow! I
In a local comp therapy centre (Scotland), I pay £8 per hour for use of a very comfortable room in a centre. There are other rooms available too, and invariably there are 3 therapists working at any one time - we each pay £7 per hour. However, the space is not guaranteed, so I have to book well in advance. In another centre, I used to pay £25 per week (monthly by DD), to cover a designated period - Friday from 1300 until I finished, which was somethings 2100. I used to try and see at least 5 clients. This arrangement worked well for me, and if I chose not to work on a Friday, then that was my loss.
If you three have the capital to invest in your own space, then it may be worth investigating - but make a list of all possible overheads first - you'd be amazed at just what gets added to the list!
Thanks for the advice Jabba. We didn't really have a problem renting the space from him but he did not want us to promote our own brand, he wanted us to promote his, which definitely was not the plan when we first went in. He also wanted all our calls to go through his phone which we felt was a bit restrictive/controlling whichever way you want to look at it. We have decided to give it a go on our own and see what happens and yes when you add up all the extra costs it is frightening. The complementary therapy business in Ireland does not seem to be as established as it is in the UK and people are really minding their pennies (as I am sure they are in the UK also). The new place is on a ground floor and is well placed on a main road into the town, so we will have a visible presence, which we did not have before. Time will tell:)
Dont have any advice for you Aroma but just wanted to wish you well on your new venture.
Linda
Thanks for the good wishes
C
Don't have too much advice to offer only to look into building your website and advertising through Google. I have had great success in finding many new clients through this new channel. The majority of ladies now search for treatments within their local area - so even with a walk in salon a website and a targetted online campaign would do wonders for your clientele numbers
This start up topic caught my attention in posting another comment. I just recognize the way you earn your living in these ways because it’s the same as what I used to do. But I really get stuck in beauty products or treatment I get from my mom. But I usually maintain also my daily exercise and diet as well, to make my body fit, and healthy. Thanks for sharing this topic!
Have a nice day ahead!:)
[url]"Australian Gold Spray Tan at Tanning Bed Central" [/url]
Hi there, I dont have any advice on your rental issuse but what you said about him wanting you to promote his stuff really tweeked me!!!!
could you advertise his stuff in the store front but your own everywhere else eg local papers or google or where ever you advertise?
Paula
xxx
Update: What do they say about going into partnership .... DON'T
With two very different personalities some friction was inevitable. So am now back at stage one and can't wait to get out of this partnership. Will go back to basics and work from home. I am fortunate enough that I have a room that I can dedicate to therapies and at least there will be no overheads and I am only responsible for myself.
I feel that it was a very valuable learning process over the last year (very expensive I might add) and I want to get back on track to doing what I do best...holistic treatments.
C
hi there, i'm sorry it didn't work out for you. i am also thinking of going into a partnership so keep your fingers crossed. we have worked together before and we do get on well, but like you said there is not much work out there. keep your hopes up and best of luck for the coming year.
Hi Megaone,
I wish you the very best of luck, I am sure you are both singing off the same hymn sheet. We started off holistic and hired a beautician to do the beauty stuff, I have a business background and my partner had great drive and ideas, it should have worked really well as we complemented each other. Unfortunately it didn't, but I have learn't a lot and I feel that I am back on the right path and am so much happier as a result 🙂
Namaste
Aroma Amethyst