a community of practitioners

Renting Rooms

How many therapist here would rent a room somewhere by the half day, day, week or month if possible if you were fresh out of school, new to an area etc.. if you didnt have a strong clientele and could find a job but had one or two clients that you had as regulars? Now, there is no lease to sign just a contract between you and the owner stating that you have the room the time alotted. If so how much would you be willing pay for each one half, whole, week or month?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cindra Kerscher on February 8, 2011 at 6:37pm

Hi Frank, this is a great question. It is a big step renting right after graduation, but many have done it successfully, which is not the same as easily. Creating a steady, faithful clientel takes time and work. That being said, woking for yourself is wonderful. I am renting in central NC, $275/month. It's a steal in our area. This is an independant office, yet I had built a client base from previous spa employement and the local community. Previously, in the same town, I paid $120 for 4 Mondays/mth. This was in a group wellness center, which of course has networking benefits. I made the switch because I needed greater availability.

I would go for a half day or two half days if you can swing it and find a part time job if you can. The last thing you want to do is be a slave to your office right now. Remember the tortoise, slow and steady... Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Kirsten Niesar on February 8, 2011 at 6:54pm

The best thing I ever did was leave the spa I was working for and rent a room 1/2 time. I started out with only a few of my own clients but the collective I worked with brought in enough clients that paid my rent $300 + utilities (about $150) each month, I built my business. The first year I made as much as I had working for the spa and only worked half the time.

That was in 2002. Within a year I took over the room full time, and two years later moved with some of the same people to a new location where my business exploded. I now have nearly all the work I can handle (although I can always take more) and am able to pass off clients to my associates.

The best way to start your own business is to rent a room in a supportive collective environment, start part time as you build, share expenses with others. Having people come to your home or going to homes/hotels can be very limiting.

And working for someone else is also limiting. I would never go back to giving someone else more than 1/2 my earnings.

Permalink Reply by Lara Rininger on February 8, 2011 at 11:55pm

Hi Frank-I rent a room out of a holistic center for $5/hour only when I am there actually working. Honestly this is all I can afford right now and it works out well. There are nine of us only two massage practitioners and we just text the owner and reserve the treatment room. The massage table and bolsters, cd player and music, are already there and we all bring our own linens, towels, blankets, lubricants, tools, etc. It works out well for us and our "rent" is due the end of the month. At some point, my practice will outgrow this set up I suspect but for now as I'm building it works great. I hope that the center will get bigger as my practice grows or we more to a larger building and I'll be in a position to have a room that I don't have to share with other practitioners and I can rent monthly or whatever. You can check it out at Rising Sun Holistic Choices

Permalink Reply by silvana marroche on February 10, 2011 at 9:52am

Actually one of my friends and I are looking to do just that! :) any ideas??? we are in Southern California :)

Permalink Reply by Frank J on February 10, 2011 at 10:29am

Ms. Silvana, If I am understanding correctly, you are looking for somewhere to rent space on a as needed basis. I know there are many people out there like you that is exactly why I am trying to do some research because I am wanting to provide such a facility to MTs. The only help I could really give is to just ask around as much as possible. And I do appreciate the input Lara, Kristenm and Cindra. I really want to help those like silvana out cause it is a much needed thing in our community

Permalink Reply by silvana marroche on February 10, 2011 at 11:09am

Hi Frank! YES! you got it correctly! My other MT friend and I are looking to rent at as needed basis until we build up our clientel. the thing is that we dont really know "where" to look :(... i guess gyms., spa/salons; maybe even on craigslist??? altho i am a bit weary about crainglist :) any ideas please let me know! thanks a bunch!!!

Silvana

Frank J said:

Ms. Silvana, If I am understanding correctly, you are looking for somewhere to rent space on a as needed basis. I know there are many people out there like you that is exactly why I am trying to do some research because I am wanting to provide such a facility to MTs. The only help I could really give is to just ask around as much as possible. And I do appreciate the input Lara, Kristenm and Cindra. I really want to help those like silvana out cause it is a much needed thing in our community

Permalink Reply by Kirsten Niesar on February 10, 2011 at 5:27pm

I would be interested to hear how you do that. I have space available in my collective but how to get the word out without spending a fortune on advertising has always been a challenge. MT's are such solitary workers that trying to contact a bunch of them with information like this is hard.

Frank J said:

Ms. Silvana, If I am understanding correctly, you are looking for somewhere to rent space on a as needed basis. I know there are many people out there like you that is exactly why I am trying to do some research because I am wanting to provide such a facility to MTs. The only help I could really give is to just ask around as much as possible. And I do appreciate the input Lara, Kristenm and Cindra. I really want to help those like silvana out cause it is a much needed thing in our community

Permalink Reply by Frank J on February 10, 2011 at 8:57pm

Ms. Kirsten, I dont know how big your area is but here the population is about 80-90,000 that includes a couple other smaller towns in the area. There is only one school here and pretty much everyone here went to the school and the school has everyones email and puts out bulletins every so often about new things such as who's hiring, CE classes, people with tables for sale etc.. Also there are some people who know each other and are really good friends so I am sure that it wouldnt take much to get the word out. Plus i teach at the school here also. But I do agree that MTs are solitary workers. I think the challenge will be for those who feel like that are comitted to a lease/contract to where they have to pay every month or those who can't afford to pay every month and are looking for somewhere to work. I am trying to help those out who just want to build their clientele where they came come and go as they please and be on a pay as you go process

Permalink Reply by Alicia O'Rourke on March 15, 2011 at 10:13pm

I am a recent graduate, just building my clientele and you'd better believe I hesitated to rent anywhere. However, a friend pushed me to at least check out a location and when I did I found an amazing opportunity. I am currently sharing an office and only paying a percentage of my fees when I use the room.

I would not have felt comfortable signing a lease fresh out of school because that is gambling on clients I don't have yet. I'm very fortunate to have found what I did and I'd encourage people to share their space with newbies, if they can. It's VERY nice to have a place to bring people rather than be limited to my home or theirs. It's helped me gather more clients more quickly than I would have otherwise.