Business side of reflexology

[Known Random]

Hi everyone, i'm half way through a course but beginning to have doubts about whether there is a living to be made out there as a reflexologist. I'm noticing more and more beauty therapists are trained in reflexology &are offeringit alongsidebeauty treatments, even my hairdressers has started doing it.On my course there arelots of us from the same immediate area, how many reflexologists do you need in one place?

I know it must vary from area to area but on the whole do youthink thereare enough clients to go around, is the demand growing as rapidly as the supply?

Do you think it's best to work from home or to offer a mobile service? Or maybe both? My tutor is very negative about a mobile service & thinks that it wouldn't work.

I know it must seem premature for me to be worrying about this now but I am havinga bit of a panicand wondering if i'm doing the right thing, I honestly didn't realise that there were so many places/people offering reflexology in my area until recently.

I haven't gone into reflexology to earn a fortune but I do need to earn a living and whilst i'm training and trying to build a client base it is impacting on our finances & i'm just wondering if it's going to work out.

Regards
Bernie

 

[Rt Cald]

Hi Berniemay,

I started my reflexology course yesterday, my tutor did give us a figure of the number of new reflexologist annually. I think you need to offer other therapies along side and perhaps specialise in a particular area of reflexology.

Have faith in your ability and be the best you can be.

I can't advise on mobile v home as not really got going yet although I plan to be mobile.

Have to leave shortly for day 2, hope this helps.

Take care

Wesam

 

[little B]

Hi there
as you gain expereince you may then feel confident about developping your own niche market
eg reflexology to soothe stressed mums, while the kids are at school etc
also check out this 5 min video on the importance of our thoughts . It is by Mike Dooley

[link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x4sVR67wCk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x4sVR67wCk[/link]


tigress

 

[fish_in_dish_water]

Hi Berniemay

Don't worry to much, yes alot of beauty therapists are offering alternative therapies nowadays, but you will be specializing in it that will be the difference. A beauty therapist may do 2 or 3 treatments a week where you may do that in a day giving you more expierence and enabling you to develop your techniques.
A lot of people would rather go to someone who is specialized in an area than to someone who just does it as an addition so to speak.
I do alot of therapies and have thought about doing beauty but it isn't where my heart is, and even though I could do it and would do my best my heart wouldn't be in it.
My cousin does beauty and has thought about doing Holistics but she is the same her heart isn't in it with holistics.

 

[strawberry]

I have found refexology to be better paying than aromatherapy - although very similar. But I do advise students not to give up their day job straight away! (I teach - it didn't take long to have to go back into the rat race to be able to eat).
Only one of my colleagues I have polled says theycan earn a living out of just one therapy. The more the better. I am currently learning manicure and pedicure to enhance my therapy business...nuff said!

 

[cpcouubp]

I've been in the 'business' for nearly 30 years - when I first started, I was dead keen (absolutely no harm in that!) and wanted to launch myself onto the public in my areaas the only person they ever needed to see who couldease their aches and pains and sooth their furrowed brows. I gave up a job in the civil service to do it, but within a few months had to admit that I wasn't earning as much as my business plan had suggested that I should be earning, so did "secretarial temping" part-time. I was marriedto a military man (still am, but no longer in the military) so we moved around alot - I was able to set up shop (at home and mobile)in every place we went, but for the first 6 years I still needed to 'temp' to assist my earnings. I have been afull time therapist, including weekends, for nearly 20 years now. I don't earn a fortune, but what I do earn covers my rent/rates/utilities/productsand petrol - anything left over goes into a savings account (or gets spent!). Him indoors, during lean months (we all have them) tells me that I have a very expensive hobby!

If I were starting out again, I would definately get a couple of other therapies under my belt, to fall back on. Initially it was remedial massage, then reflexology and then manual lymph drainage - MLD is the only therapy I practice now, and on average I see 15+ clients per week.

Good luck - and go for it!

 

[Princesa Z]

Hi again and thanks to everyone for their advice and info,it has been helpful. I am gauging that on the wholereflexology aloneprobably won't bring in a full time income but hopefully at least a part time income.

I will think about other therapies but notmany othersreally interest me. Have thought about doing reiki, hopi ear candles & a Bach Flower Remedy course.

Someone suggested doing anail course so I could add a reflexology/pedicure package. Not sure if mixing holistic health treatment and beauty really go hand in hand though.

Thanks once again for all your advice.

Bernie x

 

[?Miss Inquisitive?]

Hi Bernie

It is fabulous as a part time job in my case. I tried being full time and really struggled financially (also was going stir crazy through lack of contact with other humans and not getting out of the house!!). I now work in an office in the mornings and am a reflexologist in the afternoon and evenings. I feel I have the best of both worlds!

 

[LiveLaughLove]

Hi Berniemay!
I'm in the same boat, i qualified as a reflexologist just last week and now i'm wondering what my next step is going to be. I do get very irritated by beauty therapists claiming to be able to give the same treatments when they are not specifically trained or qualified as complementary therapists. Iwent for an aromatherapy massage a few months ago, there wasn't an essential oil in sight![]
Thinking practically, there are only so many clients we can see in one day. If you can get a regular stream and charge enough per session withoutrobbing your clientele, you could manage a full-time job. But it ismore practical career-wise if you spread your wings and branch out a bit. maybe not yet, but when something draws you in, go for it!
As for going mobile, this is a worry that i share. its going to add to your outgoings, but perhaps if you offer both to your clients, 'home-from-home treatments', it might appeal to those who cannot get to see you regularly.
Just don't fret over it right now,
your future clients are waiting for you to qualify!!
L&L
Brenda x
(eirebid)