Hi Everyone,
I qualified in my A&P and Relflexology about 10 years ago. I practised for about 6 months when I lived in London but then moved down to Cornwall. I had desires to build a business and get clients but my path didn't really go that way. I ended up working in retail but my partner and I built a surf shop business which we have just sold. I have been unemployed for the last 5 months and didn't really think about my reflexology up until about a week ago. I have managed to find a Swedish Massage course at a local college which starts in January.
I have suddenly found a spark and feel very excited about potentially getting back into the therapy business. I'm just slightly concerned about not having a full time job and would like to know if anyone else is in the same boat as me? Or has any advice for me.
Thanks in advance
Lucy
I don't have a full time job - but to be fair I do have income from 2 pensions. However up until now my main earned income has been from pharmacy - an income stream which seems to be drying up, so like you I am on the brink of therapy work being my only earned income....a scary thought!
It might be a good idea to work out why your path didn't go that way 10 years ago.....and think what is different now that means it will happen this time. If you can look back and see you made errors before - well you know what not to do! I presume you have got a lot of business experience from running the surf shop. You need to work out how you can apply that to therapy work
Make sure you have insurance in place, and if it has been some time since you practiced as a reflexologist - offer some free treatments . You get some practice and good promotion at the same time.
Good luck
When I first trained, it took me 5 years to establish well enough to let go of my job (secretarial temp) and even then I occasionally had to do a few weeks temping if unexpected bills arrived! Thankfully I am now in a position to occasionally take a week off whenever I fancy, as my comp therapy business now pays my bills!
You may find it hard to get going with 2 therapies - see if the same college are running other therapy training - it's good to have a therapy 'tool kit'.
Exciting times!
I don't have a full time job - but to be fair I do have income from 2 pensions. However up until now my main earned income has been from pharmacy - an income stream which seems to be drying up, so like you I am on the brink of therapy work being my only earned income....a scary thought!
It might be a good idea to work out why your path didn't go that way 10 years ago.....and think what is different now that means it will happen this time. If you can look back and see you made errors before - well you know what not to do! I presume you have got a lot of business experience from running the surf shop. You need to work out how you can apply that to therapy work
Make sure you have insurance in place, and if it has been some time since you practiced as a reflexologist - offer some free treatments . You get some practice and good promotion at the same time.
Good luck
Thanks for this, yes I think I will start doing freebies just to drum up some interest but get back into it. Very nerve wracking though! As usual the other half is up for being a Guinea pig
When I first trained, it took me 5 years to establish well enough to let go of my job (secretarial temp) and even then I occasionally had to do a few weeks temping if unexpected bills arrived! Thankfully I am now in a position to occasionally take a week off whenever I fancy, as my comp therapy business now pays my bills!
You may find it hard to get going with 2 therapies - see if the same college are running other therapy training - it's good to have a therapy 'tool kit'.
Exciting times!
Hi Jabba, thanks for this it's very inspiring. I know it's going to be a slow process and I certainly don't expect it to happen overnight. I just have to keep positive and focuses on what I want X