Posts Tagged ‘business’
Sunday, February 7th, 2010
In the last three days we have had 300% increase in traffic. Maybe I should support (sorry) the cause more often…
Still, the world keeps turning and I’ve been working. Always a good thing. Most people complain about going to work but I love it and getting paid is a bonus. Which is something I’ve been thinking about lately. So I ask you, what job would you happily do, even if you didn’t get paid?
When I was studying my diploma we were told massage can only be worked on a part time basis. This is mainly to prevent injury and needing more massages than you give. The most I could ever work on clients is 25 hours a week. This doesn’t include the time I take cleaning, paper working and linen washing. I’m telling you this as a result of a conversation yesterday. Another natural therapist and I were discussing what we charge for a session. I charged more than her and she looked surprised that I get clients. Why do I charge more? Simple, I can’t work full time hours but have the same bills as everyone else, I have spent time post training to increase my knowledge in my specialised field, and because I’m worth every cent! This is not a vanity thing either. In fact I charge less than the local beauty therapists charge for a relaxation massage but I have more skills. I genuinely care about all my clients and you do get what you pay for. My massages can potentially be claimed back on private health insurance too.
So what are you worth? Are you charging your customers and clients enough?
Tags: bra, bra queen, business, depression, mad cow, massage, mjphotography, package names, work
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Sunday, January 31st, 2010
I’ve just got back from a peer support group for alternative practitioners.
It was interesting because we were each able to help each other and yet not actually be in direct competition. They other lovely ladies were able to give me some ideas and connections to help with the business side of things as well as providing a bit of accountability for my goals.
So the goals for this year? Many and varied but workshops, cd making, more study of rituals and cultures and of course lots of massages!
Stay tuned for the results.
Tags: business, goals, help, massage, meeting, plans, rituals, support, traditions, work
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, January 28th, 2010
Recently I sent out my new business cards, some services cards and a letter of introduction to the local health providers. I figured I had nothing to lose. Well it’s been two days since I sent them out and I’ve already had two responses and I was most surprised by it being positive. Yay! Hand Print Massage is GO!
I’ve also been rebooked for the Cairnlea Community Hub baby massage classes again in Feb. I love these classes, just seeing the change in resposes by the bub to mum massaging. It’s warm fuzzy stuff really. It’s also a fabulous way for mums to bond with their babies. Eventually, they will ask for massages, just like my little miss does.
I started looking into the effects of massage on depression (a subject very close to my heart) and there are some interesting studies. When I get my head around the jargon I’ll let you know the results. So far it’s mostly positive.
So until next time.
Em.
Tags: baby massage, business, business cards, depression, little miss, massage, work
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, January 8th, 2010
Hi again.
Been an interesting week leading up to starting work again. Actually in truth, I didn’t really not stop working. I just didn’t see clients face to face. Anyway, in the last couple of days I’ve been looking into ways of marketing my wonderful massages and an expo is coming up in a couple of months that would be perfect. Only problem was the cost. So when they rang me to have a chat to see if I could book in, I told them up front and honest, that I couldn’t afford to have a stall. An hour later I get a call back offering me a discount. Still too much. Twenty minutes later I’m called again this time with a way to get my fee back plus some profit. Great that was the plan anyway but I still didn’t have the cash up front. For now, I’m not booked in but should I get the cash I need to be successful at the event, I’ll book in straight away.
I learnt that if you don’t blunder around and tell the truth, sometimes people are willing to help you.
Now, for round two.
I need your help. I’m wanting to purchase a new piece of equipment and take up a stall at the expo. To do this, I need people to either book in and have massages or buy a package or more. You can even buy them as gifts.
In other news, it’s going to be really hot in the next week and I’m truly grateful for the ducted air-con.
Em.
Tags: air-con, ask, business, expo, gifts, help, massage, money, package names, packages, pregnancy massage equipment, truth, work
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Very excited. My laptop is back!
Yesterday was frustrating. I had two clients booked in and neither showed. One I suspect was in labour (it happens) and the other didn’t really want a massage….. That was the final straw. I cracked it and as a result, I’ve signed up for a more detailed ad in the yellow pages.
Looking forward to tomorrow night. Hubby’s back and it’s his work Christmas do. Every time hubby’s away, it makes me really appreciate what single parents have to deal with. Having a really strong support network is a must. I’m very glad it’s only temporary for us.
Tonight’s client is about to arrive. Catch you later.
Em.
Tags: business, clients, Hubby, labour, laptop, pregnancy massage, support, work, yellow pages
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Friday, December 4th, 2009
Isn’t amazing how some things just seem to happen.
This morning I had my association local meeting (Hi Cathy!) which was a fantastic opportunity to review our work and issues and questions that may have arisen. It was just what I needed and interesting to hear how the other therapists have structured and built their clinics. Almost as good was Little Miss going to sleep for an hour whilst it was on.
Then when I got home, I received a phone call saying I’d won a 2 day business motivation retreat. Woo Hoo!
Then tonight is the first of my “work” christmas parties which will be interesting as I’ve only just started working at that place.
In the mean time I’ll try to get Little Miss off my keyboard so I can put together some ideas.
Talk soon.
Tags: business, christmas parties, meeting, prizes, retreat, sleeping toddler
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
The title of this posting is a Teddy Roosevelt quote and I’ve adopted it as my motto.
In considering this, I’ve realised I have much more than I thought, have skills I’ve forgotten, and can readily use them where I am. Also I don’t go out and spend money and waste time on more “stuff”.
So I’m dusting off the 20 plus years of music study, my keyboard and considering making Little Miss a lullabye CD all of her own. Plus maybe some relaxation music for the clinic. See those three years of uni might just pay off after all. (BTW, I studied music as uni. Scary isn’t it.) Maybe I should make up some CDs for christmas gifts too while I’m at it….
I’ll keep you posted.
EM.
Tags: baby massage, business, christmas, little miss, massage, music, quotes, work
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
Hello.
I’m Emma. I’m Hand Print Massage.
Today I decided it was a day of action. I decided it was time to actually get organised and start blogging my musings about my world, not just massage.
What you will not read on here is who my clients are or their medical conditions. I might discuss what I’ve seen come through my clinic regularly but nothing specific. (This is to protect my clients personal and health information and to protect me as well.)
Anyway. Here’s some info on me.
I started Hand Print Massage in it’s first incantation in 2004 when I was still studying. I was giving very basic relaxation massages to friends and family. This was the case until I graduated with a diploma of remedial massage at the end of 2006. I had just landed a job with a footy team and was about to set up in business when I discovered I was pregnant. Oops. That wasn’t planned. So I had to turn down the job with the footballers and put my business on hold for a bit. Ah well. Then one day whilst in the shower (all the best ideas seem to come there) I realised there weren’t many massage therapists in my area who specialised in pregnancy, post natal or infant massage. Infact whilst I was pregnant, I drove an hour for massages. Later that same day, I decided to take a walk through the local shopping centre. Every third woman who walked past me was pregnant or had just had a baby. So Hand Print Massage for Mums was born.
A year later I’m still in business (YAY!!!) and I’ve met some wonderful women and babies. Looking forward to meeting more.
Other info. I have a little girl who is 2. I have two dogs. I’m a PND survivor. I’m passionate about learning cultural influences around pregnancy and motherhood. I love chocolate and I don’t drink.
I’ll write more again soon.
EM.
Hand Print Massage
Tags: advice, baby massage, business, depression, Hubby, injuries, labour, little miss, massage, plans, post natal massage, pregnancy massage, rituals, support, traditions, work
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
