massage and bodywork professionals
Louisiana Massage Therapist
Network and resource for therapists in Louisiana
Help, New Business!
So I've started my own practice and I have no earthly clue what I need to do to make sure all of the legal stuff is done. Is there a useful resource online for louisiana therapists? Or do any of you have some insight? I'm not an llc yet but I think I'm going to do that. I keep track of all my spending but that doesn't really help anything when I don't know what to do with the records. I have a business bank account and keep track of all clients and client payments but once again what am I doing with this information?? I've been told I should hire an accountant but how much does that cost and who should I go to?
So any help would be appreciated! Thanks guys!
ken hatcher
Caitin
Celeste has some great suggestions. Here are few more.
A) Try AMTA for your Liability Insurance. They have local chapters in each state, and here in Louisiana, during the annual convention, the also offer the yearly CEU's. So check them out also. Do some compare shopping
B) As with the CPA, mine is my client, so we swap services. Hint Hint.
C) The Volunteer work is an excellent way to get your name out there, but a word to the wise, "There is no value in Free". So what I mean to say is, you will have to learn to say NO, as you will become overwhelmed with volunteer request. Don't forget you have bills to pay and eat. So pick and choose, but have fun and meet new folks, and by all means do offer gift certificates at functions(just don't go overboard).
D) Gift certificates. Make sure you put a expiration date on them, but by all means, honor ALL of your certificates, regardless how far expired they are.
E) Offer people a % off the massage for feedback on your massage. 5 or 10% Find out what they think. get an honest opinion.
F) CEU'S. I suggest getting their info, dvds, etc, before hand, to be really up on whats going on(that is if its a subject you are hot for, ie deep tissue, stretching, etc,)
Good luck
May 8, 2014
Caitlin Lemoine
Thank you Ken and Celeste, I am in Lafayette. I already do a good bit of your suggestions or have at least considered it. I have volunteered on occasion. I'm with abmp but had amta insurance in the past. I have liability, a facebook, and website, I keep up with ceu's (prefer a hands on class to an online one) and am licensed. Getting my name out and keeping up with ceu's hasn't been too hard its the paperwork. It's how do I find a CPA? I don't have any clients that are as of yet. Should I just go to the nearest office and offer a trade? When I do find one what questions do I ask? Will they know everything I'll need? Do they deal with taxes and any business licensing beyond what I have? And why do I need a CPA? Is there no way to do all the tax stuff on my own?
ken hatcher said:
May 10, 2014
ken hatcher
Caitin
I prefer the hands on CEU's myself.
As for the CPA, We have a business, and thats what they deal with. Can you do your own taxes, of course you can, however its like my CPA tells me. She gos to updates seminars on tax changes every couple of months. She is up on the tax codes.
I just prefer to leave the stress to her, then put her though the weekly sometime 2x a week(during tax season) "Waring Blender" massage.
What do you save? Everything. Label all recites. Also ask them anything specific. Gas mileage, room rent, equipment cost, rental, repairs, or yearly taxes. Supplies( don't forget the bottles of water and chocolate you leave for the client at the end of the rub.), yearly ABMP dues, liability insurance, telephone, CEU's travel, hotel, food. Advertisement,
These are just some of the things, I'm sure you will think of more.
Ken
May 11, 2014