Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/81195
interact with colleagues, receive health benefits, and earn a steady paycheck. Additional benefits? It's a wonderful opportunity to market your part-time practice to a new group of people. You might even enjoy your current clients in a new way when you're not viewing them as your sole source of income. Things to consider • Part-time therapists often transition to a home office, when appropriate, to give them scheduling flexibility and reduce expenses. • Set your appointment times in advance and say no when you need to create balance; it's easy to get overbooked when you're juggling a job and practice. • You may need to let go of some of your clients as you downsize your practice; do so professionally and compassionately. • Remember that creating your ideal mix is personal. A part-time practice for you may mean three clients per week while for someone else it's eight to 10. Action steps 1. Set your part-time schedule: number of appointments, days, and times. 2. Communicate your schedule changes to the clients you're keeping. 3. Create a referral list for clients you are no longer able to see. Solution: Secure a Full-Time Massage Therapy Job Are you ready to close your private practice doors altogether in exchange for a full-time massage therapy position? Now is the perfect time to do it, as the number of employee positions and the variety of opportunities are at all-time highs. Working as an employee can allow you to continue to do the work you love without the responsibility of building and managing your own business. Things to consider • Avoid jumping at the first opportunity that comes your way. • Carefully choose the type of massage you want to do and the kind of clients you want to work with; your experience working at a spa will be very different than working in a chiropractic office. • Working all of your hours at one location could reward you with preferred scheduling and benefits, while working with more than one type of employer provides a variety of clientele and modalities. • When researching these opportunities, be sure to ask how many hours per week are required to qualify for benefits. • New employees may not have a full schedule right away; prepare financially for this transition. • Ask if there are opportunities for growth into supervisor or managerial roles; this may open up a whole new career path for you. • Plan a professional and timely way to communicate to your current clients that you're closing your practice and have a referral list available to them for other qualified therapists in the area. Action steps 1. Determine which employment setting is best for you: clinic, spa, hospital, chiropractor, etc. 2. Research available jobs in desirable locations. 3. Develop a compelling resume and cover letter. 4. Prepare for verbal and hands-on interviews. 5. Give clients professional and timely notice of your closing. 6. Create a referral list for your current clients. 7. Prepare financially for the gap between your last private client and your first paycheck, or transition slowly by maintaining a part-time practice for a period of time. TAKE A BREATH So, what should you do the next time you experience a jolt of panic about your practice and consider throwing in the towel? Take a deep breath and recognize that this moment of crisis may actually give you the perfect opportunity to create your ideal practice. TIP For more information about working in massage franchises, read "Massage Franchises," (March/April 2010, page 34) in Massage & Bodywork's digital edition at ABMP.com. Kristin Coverly is an education facilitator with ABMP and leads Instructors on the Front Lines workshops for massage educators and ABMP BizFit Live: Successful Practice Workshops for massage therapists across the country. Contact her at kristin@abmp.com. Celebrate ABMP's 25th anniversary and you may win a refund on your membership. ABMP.com. 85