a community of practitioners

To Spa or Not to Spa

that's the question I've been asking myself lately. As I have really begun to branch out of my little community of mountain bikers and push my massage career forward (prompted by complete disgust with my full time graphics job), I have been toying with the idea of looking to work FOR someone and go the spa route. there are quite a few close to me and many are of the "corporation/franchise" style.

When i think back to my schooling, in our last quarter we had a business class. Our teacher shared with us just how spa's work. Basically the expectations of how many you do back to back and how typical spas don't really give a rat's *ss about the MTs, just how much money they can make. so get em' in get em' out type of work...which eventually is BAD for the MT, burning them out.

Let me also say I have been motivated to this thought of choice because I really need to bring in more income NOW as well as get myself out there as an MT and not a graphic designer.

The problem I have with this type of massage work is that it just isn't me. In my own person business i charge one fee per SESSION and my sessions are not on a timetable although I let my clients know that the sessions usually run about an hour and a half. and i like this. i leave a session feeling like i've really been able to make a difference in my client's body. Mind you I'm also the type of personality that doesn't wear a watch and likes to go with the flow. so again this type of set up works well for me and i really feel i've given my clients my best each and every time.

when i think about going into the spa setting...in as much as i CAN curb my sessions to fit an hour (or as in most corporate spas 45-50 minutes) part of me feels like i'm 1. selling my clients short and 2. selling myself out.

any suggestions? do i go against my natural way of massaging to bring in income and get my name out there or do i keep focusing and pushing my own business so i can continue to feel good about my massages?

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Permalink Reply by Marissa on December 16, 2009 at 10:42am

Self satisfaction does not feed your family. The trick is to balance both. Get the most out of both situations that you can.
1) You need $ now. Spa corporations will be able to do that for you. It will take the guess work out of marketing. They will be bringing in clients for you. Follow their rules, make the client happy in the time that you are allotted. They are paying for a specific amount of time. If they want more time, they will schedule that themselves.
2) Keep doing work at home. This will allow you to perform your massage that you are passionate about. Your client base will continue to grow by referrals and you will not have to concentrate so hard on "growing your business". It will grow naturally by itself.
By doing both, you will most likely be able to quickly turn into a full time Massage Therapist and part time Graphic Designer.
Word to the wise: Spa corporations will probably have a non-compete clause and a no solicitation of "their" clients in your contract. Read very carefully. They may have something in there that states that you will not be able to practice in the same town until one year after your reparation from them. Although, these thing do not usually hold up in court, why take the chance? Also, never speak to "their" clients about coming to see you instead. If the client mentions that they are looking for more detailed work (like you do in private practice) you can hand them your business card and refer them to your website. If they then locate you and book appointments..... We are people and can not be owned. It does not benefit, however, to bite the hand that feeds you. Be judicious in what you do.
Actually, you may find that you enjoy doing "spa" work as well. I have branched out on my own into spa work and have found that I truly enjoy it. It's fun giving treatments for pure pleasure. However, I never give up the chance to offer true bodywork (deep tissue. MFR, NMT...) when I see the need. My most recent comment from one of my regulars was this, "I really hate that hip and stretchy thing you, but I really need it next time. Lets do a full hour bodywork session". This from someone who was a long time "relaxation" enthusiast. You just never know!

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Permalink Reply by I. Paul Dunsdon on December 16, 2009 at 1:11pm

Hi Lisa,
I must say that you and I are in much the same boat. A local med-spa here in my town is unhappy with their current out sourced MT and they are considering a change. My name is at the top of the list. Like you I need to increase income and transition from my J-O-B to full-time MT but I am hesitant to go the route of a spa. I want to be known for my own practice so I ask myself,"how do take advantage of this opportunity, without sacrificing my goals and image?"

Well I think Marissa is spot on with her input. The only thing I might add is to review ABMP's successful business handbook (a digital version is available at abmp.com). There you will find some of the common perspectives of spa life and what to expect from it.

Hope this helps.
P.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa on December 16, 2009 at 1:57pm

thanks for the responses. one thing i figured i'd do IF i got the spa route is to work in a different town. maybe one over from my actual town. that way i don't run into any issues with promoting my own business in MY town. but if it's a franchise can they say i can't work in MY town because they have a franchise in my town? even if i'm working in the franchise located one town over?

i would love to know more about "they may have something in there that states that you will not be able to practice in the same town until one year after your reparation from them. Although, these thing do not usually hold up in court"

if they don't hold up in court why bothering having MTs sign them? that is a BIG concern as well for me in not wanting to go that route only to find i've cut off MY ties to clientele.

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Permalink Reply by Marissa on December 16, 2009 at 6:53pm

Scare tactics. There have been several discussions on here about IC vs. employee vs. private practice. Since you are looking into this route, I suggest you browse through them!

Lisa said:

i would love to know more about "they may have something in there that states that you will not be able to practice in the same town until one year after your reparation from them. Although, these thing do not usually hold up in court"

if they don't hold up in court why bothering having MTs sign them? that is a BIG concern as well for me in not wanting to go that route only to find i've cut off MY ties to clientele.

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Permalink Reply by Allison Boehm on December 16, 2009 at 10:03pm

I am currently working for one of these places and my personal suggestion is to try to avoid it as much as possible. They do over work you, doing up to 6 massages back to back with 5 minutes in between just to change your table and throw some water at your client and send them out the door. Most of these places are owned/run by people who arent even therapists and have no clue about the true client/therapist relationship. We have a rule through our franchise that no personal discussion is allowed during the massage or we can be terminated. I just cant grasp that especially since alot of my clients want not only physical therapy, but also emotional. I also have a non-compete that limits me practicing where a live for a year after termination. I have heard from several places that most of those contracts are scare tactics and that as long as you dont directly take their clients, they wont adress the situation if they can avoid it. I would just really be safe, know what you are getting into, read all contracts/handbooks before signing anything. See if you cant come up with a great new years resolution sales point and get your personal clientelle built up before the year ends. Good luck!!