To Charge or Not To Charge? That is the Question, Horatio...

Since deciding to re-open my business locally, I have been debating on what to charge for the modalities I am trained in. For Swedish or Relaxation Massage Therapy, prices are based on time...generally, a half-hour runs about $30, an hour $50-$65, etc. It can also depend upon the modality. Practitioners with specialty training, such as CranioSacral Therapy or Lomi Lomi may charge more. Some therapists I have come across in the past would raise their prices after learning a new technique. In the past, this may have worked. Clients would still seek out our services. There were always new and existing clients walking through out office doors. But what about now?

My business started drying up as soon as the gas prices started hitting the $3 mark. My clients in Bloomer would book once a month or once every two months to save money. My clients in Menomonee Falls just stopped re-booking. My prices had remained the same throughout. While the marketing campaign in the Falls wasn't producing much action, I found that my Bloomer business was being sabotaged. My business was being dried up deliberately with gossip. And it wasn't coming from the clients...

So I've been somewhat gun-shy to move in with another group of therapists or practitioners here in Waupaca. I have always wanted to open my own shop and besides see clients, offer classes/workshops and teach Reflexology. Right now I'm working in a location where I can rent space by the hour/day. There are several therapists that share two treatment rooms, so each of us has to be on the ball with our schedules. I hope to be moving to my own spot within 6 months to one year. I don't think I can do much longer than that. If I'm unable to have my own space, I'm afraid that I may just give up Soothing Sessions Bodywork in frustration and go back to the dreaded "J. O. B." I love being a therapist and I love helping people. And clients tell me how much they like my laughter and my belief in them.

And now, back to service fees...

Since the big WI Spring Reflexology Conference, I've been going over a conversation I had with another Reflexologist. She has been seeing clients for nearly twenty years. All she asks is that they pay what they can. When I asked if she ever got taken advantage of by clients, she said yes. But she also added, "When that happened, the next two clients would make up for the deficit. I always had enough coming in to keep my doors open."

Pretty powerful. Can I have that much faith in my "new" clients? Can I believe that once I set my foot on this path that I won't regret it? I am a little afraid...this is unknown territory. But I do want to help people. The services I offer are not luxuries! I am so-o-o sick of Oprah and Suzy Orman telling people to cut back! What is so good about having money in a savings account when you are so doped up on medication that you can't get off the couch? Or are suffering from stress or in pain, but won't seek even chiropractic help because these TV-goddess guru devils have told them anything but paying the mortgage is a luxury. Granted, they were working with people heavily in debt...BUT...people watching these shows put themselves in the hotseat as they watch. They see Suze screech and Oprah shake her head at a guest that gets her hair done once a month. Then they turn to the second guest who has been cutting coupons for the last four months and is feeding her family unhealthy boxed meals, and scold her for getting a monthly manicure. "I take care of my nails in between and have saved so much!" The guest is beaming. Then Suze leans in, putting her hand on the woman's knee and says, "Honey, you'd have $400 more a year if you'd just STOP doing that stuff!" Oprah tssks in agreement. Geez...

Now tell me, when have you EVER seen Oprah or Suze do a show without the hair, nails, makeup and wardrobe done up just right? Do you think that either of them now have anything in their closet and show wardrobes that ISN'T a designer label???? How much money would they save (including their reputations) if they practiced what they preached? Do they do their own manicures and pedicures? Do they buy their makeup at the grocery store? Do they shop for their clothes at Wal-mart, Kmart, or thrift stores? Do they put off getting health check-ups because the out-of-pocket expenses need to go to keeping a roof over their heads or food on the table or gas in the tank or the lights on or clothes on their kids' backs? How do their priorities work? What makes them think that they, at this time in their lives with the wealth they have acquired, still be relate-able to the rest of us? They need to turn the "holier-than-thou" knob down a few turns. Walk a few miles in my shoes, "honey."

I am one of those "luxuries" scolded about. I am an entrepreneur, a self-employed business owner offering my services for a fee. I don't work for free. I am a professional, trained in various modalities. The money I collect for these "luxuries" I offer go back into the local community I live in, as well as the charities I and my family have supported over the years. I try to be as philanthropic as my income allows each year. I save when I can. I pay my bills as best I can. And yes, I do offer the occassional "freebies." But you'll never catch me telling a client that they'll save more money if they stopped paying their bills--don't you consider your VISA a "luxury?" Or to stop paying for their groceries. Suze and Oprah need to take a deep breath and realize how they are coming across...and they need to STOP interfering with small businesses.

Anyway...

As you can see, I have had a lot to mull over. While I want to keep my services affordable, there is a bottom line I need to make to keep my doors open. So I have decided to offer a sliding scale fee.

Wow, so much angst at the moment. As you can tell, I rarely watch Oprah anymore. It's hard to be on her side when she's not on yours. Thanks for letting me rant. I hope you've found it amusingly therapeutic. Until next time!

Here I am...

I'm back. Sorry it's been awhile. I've been busy, closing down two satellite offices and finishing up "busy work" to turn in to the Executive Board after resigning as President of the Reflexology Organization of Wisconsin (R.O.W.).

Now I am focusing on opening an office locally. Since I can't afford my own office space yet, I'm starting out slow. I'm renting room space and working on getting back into the swing of things. A recent injury had sidelined me for a month. And now I am antsy to get back to working on people. I have decided to live a more balanced life. I am balancing my hours better and am also making time for regular exercise and touch therapy for me. I'm hoping that by this time next year, I will have enough $$$ saved to look into renting and re-modeling a space that will work for me...and the school I want to open.

I know, I know. Lots of work to do to prepare. This time I am taking the time to do what needs to be done. I'm not going to just "jump in" and hope for the best.

Well, that's it for today. Thanks for listening!