starting your business

[Julissa R]

Hi i am about to start reflexology through ITEC next month. I have also just signed up to Indian Head massage.

I currently work full time, but once i am qualified i may consider pursuing reflexology as a career.

However i am a little concerned about what is the best way to go about making that career change.

In the future i would hope to have my own centre/salon.

Has anyone recently made a career change? Also how did you go about it? i am particulary interested in speaking to anyone who has set up their own business eg Salon/complimentary centre etc.

Thanks
look forward to hearing from someone

 

[dinogirl69]

[sm=scratchchin.gif]Hi am25williams.

Good luck with your courses - I am sure you will enjoy them. In answer to your question - I don't think there is a best way to make a career change - I do think it takes a little courage though.
During my training, I started working towards being self-employed. It isn't too difficult to set up though I would recommend contacting IR/Business Link etc and get as much info as possible.Ask loads of questions. You may not be in a position to start immediately after qualifying - or may find it a bit daunting so it may be worth sourcing clients that you can treat around your normal work commitments - maybe you could move to part time?. (I am assuming some things here so I do apologise if they are not appropriate to you). I knew that the work I was doing was not what I wanted to be doing for much longer which is why I took the leap. I converted a room in my home to start(had to pay rates!) then progressed to building my own modest treatment centre adjacent to my house - much more private and my hubby had also started going down the Complementary Therapy route so it was the best thing to do. I cannot say that it has not been difficult finding and keeping clients - budgeting etc and I still can't quite get away from my previous job as I have to keep accounts and file tax returns - though these are quite straightforward asyou don't have to fill in most of the boxes. - but I would not have it any other way.
Start a plan now - if you don't go ahead with it you have lost nothing but a little time. Find out about therapy rooms and prices. I think there has to be a little passion to go it alone, in any business. Believe in yourself - do what is right for youat your own pace- don't be discouraged by brick walls - knock them down one brick at a time - be realistic, but dream a little!!

Good luck with whatever pathyou decide to take - it will be the right one for you. Hope you get loadsof useful advice from other HP 'ers[sm=wave.gif]

 

[Marie S]

Hi there Moon Faerie

Thank you so much for your great reply. Yes i think my concern is being brave enough to make the change. I have considered going to part time, or at least dropping a day a week. I am already thinking about how i can go about setting myself up. The organisation that i am doing my course through is also a therpy centre for the public, so when i am about to qualify i might enquire with them, if i can rent a room etc.

Like yourself i dont think i am planning to stay with my current career. I am quite excited about starting my course but also quite nervous.

May i ask what you specialise in? I am a bit worried that only having reflexology and indian head will not be enough. I mean in terms of generating clients and meeting need.

Thank you very much for your reply, it has helped me think a bit more about how to go about making changes.

Many thanks

 

[FleskBusfus]

Good morning am25williams.

Sounds like you are on the ball. Itcan be very nerve wracking! I suppose Reflexology is the most poular therapy I offer, followed by Aromatherapy, IHM but I also practice Reiki and EFT I felt I was lead towards these other therapies and each one has it's own merits - some work well together too!. You could expand your knowledge and specialise in Reflexology + (whatever condition)

You can widen your knowledge by learning more about them after you have qualified. You should always continue to expand your knowledge on your chosen therapiesbut there is nothing to stop you finding out about other therapies even if you do not intend to practice them yourself.
There is a little saying I have heard many times recently - Jack of all trades, master of none! Don't be put off if you hear this - I did Reflexology, IHM and Reiki together because they complement each other so well - it took me a while to do Aromatherapy but I could not get it out of my mind - so I went ahead. EFT is a wonderful tool to give to your clients - though you can usually help them in one sessionbecause the change is so immediate,so they do not need to come back to you - you are giving them the tools to help themselves which, I feel, is what we want to do - give clients a gentle nudge to take responsibility for their health and well being and being there to support them in this. Don't feel that you are being left behind because some therapists have loads of therapies under their belt.
Concentrate on learning about your two chosen therapies at the moment - then learn some more! Even when you think you have learned all you can - there is still more! You will have your hands full with what you are doing now, work, business plans etc - give yourself time. When you are working foryourself, you will find clients asking "do you do ???" If you want to add more - make sure it is because you want to do them - not just because you think there may be a demand - otherwise you won't give your best. Good luck with it all - keep me posted


[sm=bouncy.gif]Soooo much to learn - soooooo little time!

[sm=nature-smiley-008.gif]Sunshine and smiles to you

 

[TheRyno]

Hi there am25williams, the advice and wisdom Moon Faerie has given you says it all really. I have recently qualified as a Reflexologist having trained with the aor, this time last year I was a Senior Manager in a stressful job travelling all over the country, like you I was not happy with my life and knew that something was missing. I now work part time (mornings) which leaves the rest of the week for building up my business. Moon Faerie is right, widen your knowledge after you have qualified. The best advice was given to me by my teacher, "If they are meant to come, they will." The most important thing is to do what feels right for you.

Good luck.

Foot Wizard

 

[SlsB]

Hello

I would say be very careful at first and don't be in too much of a rush to give up your job. If you can go part time for a while so that you can build up your business and gain some valuable experience this would be better. This is what I did and I have just given up my part time job to go fully self employed after doing Reflexology for nearly 4 years.

I'll be honest with you it's not easy. I suppose it all depends on how driven and determined you are to succeed. I would say that the tharapies you have at the moment aren't enough so do more if you can.

Good luck!