I want to buy a FIR sauna

[darkangel_zheinah]

I want to purchase a far infrared sauna unit, a real one, not a collapsible one. I am looking at this one, http://www.sunlighten.com/select-3.htm

When they run a sale, they can be had for about $3000 shipping included. Plus, I have been saving my money and by the time February rolls around, I will be able to pay cash for it.

Putting this sauna in my office means no more couples massage in the same room. We can still massage two people at the same time, just not in the same room. For what it's worth, I wouldn't miss the couples in the same room. It is work to move things around and couples are the most likely to cancel on short notice.

I am considering having a half hour sauna treatment and a 45 minute treatment. My current massage rates are $35/$60/$85 for 30/60/90. For the sauna, I am thinking of charging $25 for a half hour added on to a massage and $35 for a 45 minute sauna only session.

The sauna would be in the same room I work out of. Most of the time I am the only one in there as my part time associate is very part time. If I get 10 people a week to use the sauna, I would make more money than I do from having my employee work for me. Of course, I would be there more, but then I would be making considerably more money for not a lot more hard work, like I said, I just have to be there. 10 half hour sauna sessions a week is $250 extra per week and over the course of a year, that adds up to over $12,000 per year, PLUS I get to use the sauna myself, that's like 200 hours at $60 per hour if it were massage.

If the sauna takes off, I can put another sauna in the second massage room, but because it is smaller, it would be a sauna room only.

It just makes me sick that I can get 20 to 25 appointments a week and my employee gets 2 to 5 on a regular basis and she has been with me for two years. By the time I was in this business for two years, I was averaging 15 clients a week!! Alas, I sure wish I could clone myself!

Eventually, I will get a floatation tank too... but they cost $25,000 and are considered a pool in my state, so I have to jump through a lot of hoops..... give it a few years....

 

[Elle M]

I want to buy a FIR sauna

That all sounds really nice. If I were near you, I'd come by for a session of sauna and massage! I'm anxious to hear how it all works out and I bet you are just dying to get that sauna now that you are so close to being able to purchase it outright! Congratulations!

 

[boffin1979]

I want to buy a FIR sauna

Cross link if it helps: Far Infrared?

BTW, I know someone who has a FIR in their office. She doesn't get many clients for it. But, if nothing else, you have it for you!

It just makes me sick that I can get 20 to 25 appointments a week and my employee gets 2 to 5 on a regular basis and she has been with me for two years. By the time I was in this business for two years, I was averaging 15 clients a week!! Alas, I sure wish I could clone myself!

Possibly you are at the max your office can handle and not necessarily the therapist? Growth may need to come in the form of a larger or more open space to handle more clients. Just throwing other thoughts out there for you to consider.

 

[Shayy <3]

I want to buy a FIR sauna

Nope, not the case. I have two rooms set up for massage. She just can't get clients to rebook like I seem to be able to do.

 

[eskie lover]

I want to buy a FIR sauna

It just makes me sick that I can get 20 to 25 appointments a week and my employee gets 2 to 5 on a regular basis and she has been with me for two years. By the time I was in this business for two years, I was averaging 15 clients a week!! Alas, I sure wish I could clone myself!

I totally hear you! I have 3 other LMTs that work for me and it's the same way! They just can't seem to get the rebook. It seems that I've tried everything with them and I just don't know what the answer is!!

Good luck with your sauna!! I could sure go for a treatment of sauna and massage!! It sounds amazing

 

[kittyfreek]

I want to buy a FIR sauna

Nope, not the case. I have two rooms set up for massage. She just can't get clients to rebook like I seem to be able to do.

When I say the "max" your space can handle, what I am speaking of is not having "two" rooms, but the "space", "feel". It is truly amazing how some offices feel cramped and just won't take on any more people. Even though you have two rooms, your "space/feel" may only accept 30 a week. That was what I was trying to offer up.

And, in agreement with Pete on trying not to hijack the tread, but you did bring it up..... if you have someone see how she is working, you may find that she really is good (which would make sense why you would have kept her so many years without switching her out with a new therapist) and that my idea is worth looking closer into. You may need to have a feng shui master come in and help with movement and flow of the energy. Two people can cramp a moderate space quickly. I speak from experience. I have 900 square feet. And, at least with our layout, you can trust me when I say, with 2 people, 30 clients is making for a little too much movement in that confined space. I do more work when my husband is not in the office than when he is and vice versa. We have a tendency to max around 25, and it really is because of flow. I can't explain it, it just "is".

But, I am just trying to help and open your mind to other ideas. Although, from your response, my thought is probably just wrong regarding your particular situation. :undecided:


12/04/09: corrected for a pitiful typo.

 

[Unknown]

I want to buy a FIR sauna

Or it could just be the bad economics of our recent times.

 

[Heywood Jablowmi]

I want to buy a FIR sauna

If not via secret shopper, you could always survey clients who have been on her table and not returned to get their feedback on their experience.

I think I would survey clients. And as long as you were going to all the trouble to create a survey, I'd ask a few questions which might help you determine whether there is indeed interest in something like a FIR sauna before you go to all the expense to purchase one.

 

[Buzz Kill]

I want to buy a FIR sauna

I think I would survey clients. And as long as you were going to all the trouble to create a survey, I'd ask a few questions which might help you determine whether there is indeed interest in something like a FIR sauna before you go to all the expense to purchase one.

I totally agree with this!! The Sauna will absolutely not sell itself in any way. You have to be prepared to educate and sell sauna sessions. People do not know the benefits of a FIR sauna, and many have saunas in their homes or gyms. I charged $20 for 30 min. in mine. I had several regular "sauna clients", but getting new clients in it took a fair amount of selling.

 

[Lores R]

I want to buy a FIR sauna

Its been a wonderful having an infrared sauna in my office. My clients love it! The best sauna on the market is the Healthmate sauna. I purchased mine two years ago. It was slow going, but it really helps relax clients before you work on them. Also if they go in sauna after the massage it helps with soreness. Hope this helps.

 

[Louise C]

I want to buy a FIR sauna

I bought the sauna!! I did not buy the select 3 though. I bought the select 2, and it is plenty big for one person. Technically, it is a two person sauna. The Sunlighten Select saunas are VERY ROOMY. Some of the cheaper models for sale that were other brands had an 18 inch deep seat. The Sunlighten seats are about 24 inches deep and very comfortable even for larger clients. I opted to go with the so sound upgrade (vibrational resonance.) But, it is on back order. Hopefully it will be in soon.

This month I have been showing it to clients. I turn it on and let them sit in it fully dressed for a couple minutes while I tell them about it and what they can expect from it. I have a few appointments booked already. It is incredible what the sauna can do! I have been letting a few clients try a complimentary 15 minute session before their massage. Not only does the sauna make my job easier by softening the muscles, but it also makes the massage feel better! If I had it my way, I would never get a massage without going in the sauna first!

I made a flier for the sauna and have them in the treatment room with the sauna and also on the front desk. The flier includes special introductory prices. If it takes off like I hope, I will consider keeping the introductory prices for a while, maybe even make them the regular price. In early February, my entire client list will be mailed a copy of this brochure, over 700 names.

The sauna will pay for itself in no time. It also makes me stand out in my market and will lend to another way for me to earn more by doing less actual hands on work.

 

[gringa]

I want to buy a FIR sauna

peacenut,

Would you mind letting me know how you are making sure it is sanitary for each client? If you prefer to PM this info, feel free.

The lady I know who uses one in her office, places fresh towels down for each client to sit/stand on, and since I know she is ultra-sanitary to the extreme, I expect there is more to it than that. I have never bothered to ask though.

Look forward to a reply.

 

[blueplaty15]

I want to buy a FIR sauna

Before I made my final decision to purchase the sauna, I went to another MT who has a sauna and is located about 70 miles away. She includes 10 minutes in the sauna with each session at no additional charge. When clients use the free 10 minutes, she has them sit on a couple pieces of paper toweling and gives them one smallish towel of moderate quality. If they buy more time (in 10 minute increments) she gives them two smallish towels of moderate quality. One to sit on and one to wipe down with. The towels she used looked like cheap hotel swimming pool towels.

I am not doing it quite like her.

I am providing two large bath towels and a small towel. The small towel is on the floor of the unit. One large towel is draped over the back rest and the seat. The second large towel is for wiping down and for modesty if needed.

Towels last a long time and the larger better quality towels make a much nicer presentation. The first impression is everything! The large towels I purchased are regularly priced at $11, and go on sale for $5 or $6. The small towels are the same that I use in my hot towel cabi and I have a lot of those on hand.

 

[Game tech]

I want to buy a FIR sauna

Thanks!

That sounds exactly like what our friend/colleague does. She uses big towels of a really nice quality and they drape everything. I just wasn't sure if there was more to it than that.

BTW, if you haven't tried it... she also has a very small empty bowl with a damp washcloth in it. If you rub the damp cloth over your body, you'll make a little more heat/sweat. Not sure if you want to enhance that option, but if you do, that seems to work and it also gives the client a little "cooler" item if they need it. She keeps a bottle of water outside the unit on a small table and encourages the client to take a break if needed and grab that water.

Hope these ideas help.

 

[lowgurl]

I want to buy a FIR sauna

BTW, if you haven't tried it... she also has a very small empty bowl with a damp washcloth in it. If you rub the damp cloth over your body, you'll make a little more heat/sweat. Not sure if you want to enhance that option, but if you do, that seems to work and it also gives the client a little "cooler" item if they need it. She keeps a bottle of water outside the unit on a small table and encourages the client to take a break if needed and grab that water.

Hope these ideas help.

I am also providing a bottle of water. There is a drink holder inside the sauna.

What about using a spray bottle with water instead of a damp washcloth? Do you think that would work?

 

[PUNTER]

I want to buy a FIR sauna

What about using a spray bottle with water instead of a damp washcloth? Do you think that would work?

Don't see why it wouldn't, but I think the washcloth keeps the "water" in check a little more maybe? In case you get someone who gets spray-happy?