Starting a business

Hi,
I'm just setting up a new business,Alternative Health, Bowen Technique.
I do have 7 years background in the Health and Beauty field but this, is my first business.
For the moment I have a mobile business as I do not have a premise where to practice my business (money involved).
Can anybody spare some time and share with me some tips and advice about how can I grow it up.
Thank you. Raluca

Get yourself a website and market your services via the site.

If you were to conduct research into how people find therapists, I'll bet you diamonds that "search the Internet" is high on the list.

Yes you will need a bit of money to get off the ground but in the long run it will pay for itself 10 times over!

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I've got a friend who has set up a massage practice, and offers different techniques like sports massage, but also does bowens.

He found the cost prohibitive for his own premises, so contacted local beauty salons and sports clubs, and works different days from different locations. The beauty salons works well, as he is offering complimentary services to their own, and he says the best advertising investment he ever made, was a big metal sign on a stand which he sets up outside their shop

He is also in the process of contacting local hotels, who sometimes have their own inhouse person, and want sick cover, or simply like to be able to offer the service.

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Hi Raluca

Glad you've joined us!

If you haven't already done one of the (free) business courses run for budding entrepreneurs by organisations such as Business Link, Prince's Trust (they've an age cut off), local development initiatives normally linked to the local authority and so on, please consider doing so. Apart from picking up useful tips, these courses often offer free mentoring services, a networking club, some free publicity, contacts with professional bodies (eg accountants) that might be helpful, cheap loans and (sometimes) grants.

Best wishes, Linda

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Thank you all for the tips and advice. I will have a look in what you said Linda, sounds interesting and helpful.

Talk soon.
Raluca

I do have my own website already and getting help with search engine optimisation. Done some leaflets and spreading it, word of mouth. Also about to post an advert in a directory catalogue.
Thank you for your answer, if you get some more ideas I will appreciate it sharing it again with me.

Hi Raluca,

I suggest you ask yourself:

1. What benefit will you get if you rent?
2. Will working from different locations widen your possible customer base?
3. Do you enjoy going to different places or would you prefer to be in the one place every day?
4. Could you afford to pay rent when business slows as it always does from time to time?
5. Do you want to pay rent when on holidays or not well?

I have always run my business from home and this has enabled me to survive in hard times because I do not have the overheads involved in renting premises.

Best wishes,
Experience

Hi,
You are right about rent, it does tend to be quite high and my main concern are all the above points you mentioned. Even though it is a hustle being mobile, it comes better sometimes. But it does upset me that people take it as a joke and you do get sceptical when somebody calls you for treatment and fed up at the same time of the funny emails and phone calls . I guess is smth that you need to go along with and take cautions but also think positive.

How long did it take for your business to take off?

Mine was a totally different type of business, but most of the principles are similar. It was a struggle for a while but the absence of borrowing and almost no overheads made it possible to exist for a while on very low income.

It took 3 years before I was able to not worry. Even then after I was well known there were times when the telephone would not ring for a week. I eventually got used to that, having put aside funds to carry me through rather than spend it all as it came in.

Yes, think positive.

Regards,
Experience

Why not get a virtual office with a receptionist answering the phone and taking messages for you.

This will allow you to keep your business mobile, but also have a fixed contact point.

Most companies that offer virtual offices also offer use of their boardroom, which is great if you have to have the odd meeting.