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Considering renting out a room in a salon
I've been looking for a new place to practice massage. Currently I am an ic in a medical type establishment. Recently I have found a room to rent that is located in a hair salon. The price is right around the going rate for the area, I will be totally in charge of everything- prices, marketing, decorating the room, my hours, etc. I keep going back & forth if this is the right setting for me. It's not a real nice salon, but not some crappy hole in the wall, in a very densly populated area w/ desent incomes. The room is big enough for massage, it's not the nicest looking room in the world, but some paint, an area rug, & pictures might spruce it up. I started out working in the salon world, so I know hairdressers love to talk & are fabulous marketing tools, so the salon clientelle is a great source of clients for me.
I am concerned about the noise level, but I prefer to work evenings when the salon isn't so busy. Also I think about what my clients (not from the salon) will think about when they walk into the salon. Would they rather a more relaxing setting? Somewhere they can sit and mellow out for a few min before going out into the hustle & bustle? Would the fact that it is in a salon kill the whole experience? Or is my fabulous massage & personality all clients need to come back for more?
I would love to hear input from other therapists to help me make my decision, Thanks!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Marissa on
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I had the very same concerns in October of 2008. Yes, the noise can be bothersome. Would they rather a more relaxing setting? Don't most people? However, you are correct in assuming that if the client loves your massage, it will be something that they can easily look past. The stylists are a huge referral source. I gave all the stylist at my salon a free 30 minute massage so they could get a "feel" for my work. Most of them are now my clients as well. If some of your clients follow you to the salon, they could also be a great source of feedback in how the room looks, feels, noise level, etc. And don't be shy about asking the stylists to drop it down a notch while you are in a session. Most of them will understand!
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Permalink Reply by Laurie on
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Last year, I also looked at a room in a hair salon. It was a nice size room and very clean and it had the benefit of being in an established business. When visiting the premises, I immediately noticed the noise level was high: hair dryers, little children, background music, cash register, talking, foot steps - the salon floor was designed for easy clean-up so was not carpeted and all sounds echoed throughout the room. But beyond the noise, I found the smell of the different hair and nail products (especially acrylic nails) to be very distracting. Clients with a chemical sensitivity may have a problem and the odors do not mix well with aromatherapy. Combining a salon with a massage studio is great idea, just make sure the rooms are designed to house both businesses.
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Permalink Reply by Laura Allen on
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I agree that noise and smell are the two big considerations. Try sitting for an hour in the room and see how relaxing it is to you. Take your boom box with you and play the music at the level you would play it if a client was in the room.
I've had a lot of nail techs who have wanted to join my business and I have refused. I do not want any chemical smells in my workplace.
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Thanks all for the input, it is greatly appreciated! As far as the noise, I am going to play a cd in the room & sit there for a little bit to seewhat I think. Maybe I'll even ask if I could do a test massage in the room. The room has a good solid door, so I don't think smells will waft in.
What I keep going back & forth on is how clients will feel about walking into an ok looking salon. Will clients not want to return, even if I fix the room up really nice? I had an idea- the room is really long, so I could make a separate sitting area for clients to fill out paper work, pay, & relax for a few minute before returning to the real world.
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