Going Mobile!!

[sarahbeth]

Hi all,

I trained in Beauty many, many years ago but never kept it up, but I have always loved it, so I have now decided to go mobile starting small with what I feel I am good at ( Massage and Mani/peds.)
I put a note on a free advertising board about my situation and If anyone would be intrested and I have had a good response but my problem is I have thrown myself in the deep end and I am getting very nervous about going in to other people homes that I dont know, what information do I need from them before I go and what extras do I need to take.

 

[kylieb]

Hi all,

I trained in Beauty many, many years ago but never kept it up, but I have always loved it, so I have now decided to go mobile starting small with what I feel I am good at ( Massage and Mani/peds.)
I put a note on a free advertising board about my situation and If anyone would be intrested and I have had a good response but my problem is I have thrown myself in the deep end and I am getting very nervous about going in to other people homes that I dont know, what information do I need from them before I go and what extras do I need to take.

Some times its good to be thrown in at the deep end.
ALWAYS speak with your client first on the phone. If they want to just do it through text then I wont go. So just get their address and telephone number. I usually ask if parking is available as I will leave earlier if it is going to be difficult to park.
xxx

 

[ukfaye]

Hi obviously you will need there full address and a contact number. I have decided not to do male clients except partners of existing clients as a safety thing.
You need to take consultation cards so you can take there full details and see if they are contraindicated in anyway. Your couch a bag of towels/blankets and massage oil for a massage I also take an
extension lead a digital radio to put on some gentle music and in winter a heated blanket to put on the couch to make sure the client is warm. As getting cold is my pet hate when receiving a massage.
For your mani/pedi you need your tools sterilised and put in a pot to keep them clean. Then your products to carry out the treatment which i keep in a storage box. I also have a fold down picnic type
table to pop things on if the client doesn't have somehig there. It's an idea to do a few friends first to iron out any thing that you realise doesn't work. Hope this helps and you enjoy it.

 

[sarahbeth]

Thank you for the advise I didnt think about parking or a radio.

 

[Seraphine]

Here's a few more niggly things to make sure you have in place:

1) Security - particularly if you are advertising on notice boards, you might get some weird calls and your decision not to take appts only by text is a good one. Keep your phone on you at all times, and for new clients I would make sure someone knows where you are and possibly they can call just as your appointment is starting (not during the massage part) to ensure you are okay.

2) PAT Testing - if you are having any electrical items, you need to make sure they are tested each year for electrical safety. If you've only got a few (radio, foot spa, extension lead, etc) just take them to an HSS Hire Shop or equivalent as they usually do it for £3-4 an item and it keeps you legal.

3) Insurance - you'll need public liability insurance. Try BABTAC or The Guild

4) Music Licensing - now, the rules on this seem to be up and down (see the frequent threads on here!) but if you will be playing music during your sessions you'll need a music licence (like PRI). But as its for massage, perhaps you can get a nice calming licence-free CD and then you are in the clear.

I know all of these cost money, but if something goes wrong (a client gets injured, or your extension lead causes a fire...) you'll want protection.

Have a great time and enjoy your (new) career!!

 

[jes]

Don't forget to record your total mileage and the mileage used for work so you can offset it against your tax. Also parking tickets can be kept as an expense, but again, only if it's used for work

 

[sarahbeth]

Thank you all for your advice, I have my first client booked in on the 15th for a french Mani and pedi, but all my other Lady's that said they wanted treatment have not got back to me, do you think I should contact them asking if they would like to make an appointment or is that a bit pushy?

I launched my website last night and set up a facebook page I don't have much money at the moment so not sure the best way to get my name out there any advice will be gratefully received also what stationary would you all advise me getting I was thinking business cards and a window sticker for my car.

Sarah xx

 

[ukfaye]

I would call them, it seems pushy, but just be polite and just say, just a reminder if your interested kind of thing.
Best and free advertising is to go with your website. Google free advertising and loads of sites wil come up, ie, google, yell.com, freeindex loads of them where you put your details on and you web address so when you get people googling beauty thereapist in your area you will come up. Get as many friends to look at your site as poss as this helps move it up on google, and ask happy clients to leave a review on one of the sites you advertise free on as this really helps push you higher up on google pages. hth.x