Full Time MTs: How many massage jobs do you have?

[Ice_Nova]

I am in the process of hunting for my first massage job. I am wondering, for those of you who rely on massage full time, as your sole or main source of income, how many massage related jobs do you have? Is scheduling difficult?

I'm feeling very discouraged, at this point. It seems hard to find even one good job (fair wage, and hours).

 

[Shane]

When I was working for someone else I had to work more often since I was making less money.

I would work for them and work on a few clients of my own on the side. Eventually I worked my way out of working for others and now just work for myself.
When I have worked for other places, I had a full time schedule. Working 5-6 days a week. The DC was a split schedule - 10am-1pm then 3pm - 7 pm. The spas were regular 8 hour days.

I know of many therapists that work at multiple places to get the amount of total income they need - especially when there is no one hiring for more full time hours.

Good Luck - you will find something that fits.

 

[Bobby Cowboy Man]

I have 2 massage jobs, one is on call, the other is a steady night. I actually was working at 3 places for a few months. I also have a few private clients that I have to squeeze in to make sure they can get their time. Then when I don't have anything going on I have a data entry job where I make my own hours and work around the other 2 locations. Hopefully soon I will have my own office so there will only be 1 location!!! I can't wait!!!

 

[Macabre]

I only work my own business, but I started out taking appointments every day, then after a couple of months I looked back to see which day was not that busy and I stopped taking appointments on that day and filled up my other days instead. Then I looked back again and there was another day that historically either wasn't busy or people kept cancelling, so I stopped taking appointments on that day and now I only take appointments three full days and a half weekend day. If you eventually want to be on your own I would keep Thurs, Fri, and Sat for yourself to build up your own clientelle and contract out the other days.

 

[:pms:]

i've always only worked one job as well. i couldn't imagine running around towns from place to place to work. i've always thought why not focus on building clients at one location?

 

[Kirstin]

My personal experience was it wasn't very hard to find a massage job...but much harder to find the perfect fit. I had two "false starts" before I found a great position, but the experience helped me figure out what I wanted/needed. I would also point out that it seems like most people on this forum praise being self-employed but I actually just talked my "boss" into making me an employee instead of an IC....I couldn't deal with the stress of taxes and would rather have the stability of set hours, set pay, and clientele provided for me....it's all up to YOUR personality. In regards to juggling massage jobs, I agree with what someone else said...don't divide your time and attention. Good luck!

 

[Kara S]

Hi all. I had worked for skin care and day spa for 2 years
I didn't really make that much money, so I had a waitress
job at the same time... :

After that I became independent, then my Tax problem had began.
Finally last year set everything up, and I am now incorporated.
It's been great since!

 

[Maggiegirl]

This is an old post of mine about what I did while starting practice.

Hope it helps.

Hi.

It took about 5 years for me to get to a point where I wasn't working steadily part-time while being at my business. Granted, I had a pretty interesting situation coming out of college. But, I can tell you that if you don't have money backing you, plan that it will take a long time and a lot of hard work to get to a point to where you don't have to work part-time anymore.

I am going to tell you something you may not like.

To be honest...i'm not marketing myself at the Y. I really dont like working at the Y. It was the first job offer I had so I jumped on it. But it's 44mins from my house and working on call is killing me.

If it's killing you and you don't like it, you can either leave or decide to make it work for you -- that is is only thing I can tell you. I'd suggest to start marketing at the Y, if you think you are going to have to be there a while.

I drive 45 mins. to work in the morning and 45 mins. back in the evening.

When I did outcalls for three years, I was driving 45 mins. to the call and 45 min. back anywhere from 8pm - 2am (that was at a hotel and on top of whatever work day I had already done or it was in between some clients during the day. My work day usually consisted of sporatic day hours // regular work minus the hotel out-calls could at 8am & ending at 9pm... while other days it may begin at 10am and end at 7pm... and then other days it may be something totally different ---- that was because I was juggling so many jobs to keep my business open).

Not everyone can do that kind of travelling, and it is a lot of wear and tear, but just to let you know, you aren't the only one and if you hang tough and get a fixed idea, you can make it! And it will pay off!

I have pulled a few links that may be helpful.

Starting a New Business
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7582

Get A REAL Job!!!???? (Long Post)
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9030

What are Common Second Business Careers of MT's?
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=10146


Hope this helps.

At one point I was doing contract work for 4 or 5 different places plus my office and the hotel if I recall. Sure it can be hard... but eventually it did pay off.

 

[carla c]

Initially I did float around at several chiro offices, a salon, did outcalls, corporate/event chair massage and hotel work. I've always wanted to be self employed so my entire focus was that from the beginning. Even if I worked at different offices or places or did outcalls I made my own hours, handled all my own expenses and treated myself as an IC.

What this did for me was solidify what I really wanted which is to have a place for people to come to me where I don't have to employ front office folk and I have complete control over my schedule. One of the reasons I choose to work in a gym.

I have found having a set schedule of when I wanted to work really helped build my practice. I would caution you to be careful of working and building clientele on days you really don't want to work. It is difficult to switch regular clients from their "chosen" day once it becomes established. For example: my weekends are reserved for my family so I don't -- ABSOLUTELY DON'T -- work weekends. When people call in and want weekends I am very direct that I am unavailable and schedule them when I am available through the week. On the rare occasion someone just can't come other than a weekend I refer them elsewhere.

I know it can be frustrating when you are working to find a place to begin...my suggestion is to really focus on what you want and think outside the box about how to get it.