Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1402696
64 m a s s a g e & b o d y wo r k s e p te m b e r/o c to b e r 2 0 2 1 Look at the signage for businesses in the building, the signs marking entrances and accessible parking, and entrances for customers with mobility issues. NEIGHBORS Note who else would be occupying the building. Pay attention to their office hours and days. Maybe the neighbor is a tax preparer who will only be in the office Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and only uses two parking spaces at a time while they're open. Maybe the neighbor is a dance studio who will have toddlers and teenagers tap-dancing to loud music from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. every weeknight and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, all while the parents fill the parking lot with idling cars. Office neighbors and how they use adjoining and shared spaces are huge factors when choosing a space, so don't be shy about asking questions about other tenants. You may want to prowl those business's websites for more information too. And knowing how long a tenant has been in the building could give you some information about how great (or not great) the landlord or management company is. SHARED SPACES Many commercial buildings have shared entry and waiting areas, as well as shared bathrooms. Be sure to note what these common areas look like, who is responsible for maintenance, and how frequently that maintenance happens. In the space you're looking at, are there common areas like a waiting area or a bathroom? Would this office space give you a private bathroom, or is it being shared with others? PRIVATE OFFICE SPACE It's helpful to know the total square footage of the space. And if there's more than one room, you should know the square footage of each room individually. You get to decide what size room is sufficient for massage. It's different for all of us, and depends on the style of work we do, our size, the size of our clients, and other factors like the kind of equipment we need to keep in our room to work effectively. It's also good to note the ceiling height as well, so you can calculate the cubic footage (helpful information for purchasing an appropriately sized air purifier). Notice if there are windows, and test them to see if they open and close. Also check to see if they have screens. If you expect to be using those windows, be mindful of what is outside them. Having a dumpster or smoking area outside your windows could squash your best ventilation intentions. Ask about the HVAC system and if it connects to other spaces in the building. Ventilation is becoming a very big deal, so it's smart to ask about the kinds of filters used in the system—and how often they are changed. You'll also want to find out if the thermostat is shared with other spaces. If so, who controls it and determines the settings? Also confirm that heat and air conditioning are available during your regular business hours, including evenings and weekends. Consider the flooring. The type of flooring becomes important if you use massage oils and creams in your work, and you want to clean and sanitize the floor regularly. Carpets are giant sponges for oil and dirt and hard to clean. Be sure you have a plan for that or are willing MAX VAKHTBOV YCH/PEXELS.COM KYLE GLENN-/UNSPL ASH.COM