Reflexology as a full time job

[toughcountryfucker]

Hello
I've been practicing reflexology since I qualified in 2003 but have always had a full time job in another field.
I'd be really interested to hear from other practitioners that have made the leap from a salaried job one month, to being self employed the next month!
I'm finding the fact that I have a mortgage and financial committments is precluding me from doing therapy full time []. My client base at the moment is all I have time for and it's not enough to make up for the loss of salary that I would suffer as a result of becoming self employed, if i were just to take the plunge and quit my job.
If anyone has any experiences or advice to share I would really appreciate hearing from you.
Thanks
Alx x

 

[jak]

I sort of made half a leap in 1980 after completing a remedial massage course and reflexology. I had been working full-time, but then left that job and signed on with a temp agency, and did temping whenever an opportunity came up. I really needed to do this, as I couldn't afford to drop an income completely. It took me about a year to get established. Even now, only doing therapy work, Iaverage about £250 per week. Some weeks it is better and I put the extra in my savings accountandbut sometimesI don't cover the rent!! I will never be rich, and my husband mutters sometimes that I have a very expensive hobby!!

 

[Boo Cookie]

Oh blimey, yes I suppose your husband might see it like that, but I guess we both know it's more of a calling than an occupation!!

I guess temping would be an obvious thing to do, I'm just really scared about getting behind on the mortgage or having to take out a loan of some sort.

Did you have any savings to dip into when you made the leap?
Alx

 

[txeepuylifuiayesk]

Hi there,

I have just qualified as a reflexologist and I rather foolishly thought that I would be able to make the leap within a few months from full time other to reflexology practitioner. I didn't reslise how hard it appears to be. I have approached two salons and a gym to rent a room and have yet to receive any feedback...
Your posting has brought me down to earth and I would thank you for that I do not have an answer for your query but thought you might like to know that you had helped me out.
Thanks
SueT

 

[Jose]

Hi there Sue

Just a few words of encouragement for you. Like Alx I did my studies in 2003 and it's been a slog (but a very enjoyable one). You find out what works and what doesn't work for you. There are some excellent books with ideas for therapists to get work etc. Celia Johnson, Mike Considine and Steven Harold are 3 authors I can think of off the top of my head. So stick to your guns, put the word out there about yourself and things will happen. I ask the Universe for help periodically and it always seems to arrive.

 

[Cheebie girl]

I made the jump this month.

Have been in full time work since school in a bank but gained my therapy qualifications part time in the evenings. It may help to get a few other therapies under your belt though.
I currently do Massage, Indian Head, Hopi Ear Candling and Reflexology, it does help to be flexible.
I have given myself 3 months to earn the monhtly amount I have agreed with my husband, if I don't get there I'll take a little part time job to top up my salary.
The clients are out there - LOL

 

[tkp]

I have been in practice since June 2004. I was working with a temp agency before going to school so I kept acceptingpositions after graduating andopeningmy practice. I still work one small part-time job and am on-call at a massage center several towns over from my clinic. Not sure I will ever make it to "full-time" reflexology, but I amkeeping my head above waterwith a part-time practice and a part-time job. Hope this helps.

 

[Kirjava]

Just thought I'd post a reply and mention that I started up last October ona scheme with the Newport and Gwent Enterprise. What it means for me is that I can 'trade test' for six months with their help (business advisor etc) - I have to put all my earnings into the business account and musn't touch them (except for business purposes) but I receive full child/working tax credits. It means that I have a chance to work and build up a client base without the fear of losing everything and when the scheme ends I can decide if I want to push ahead on my own or not. (I will push ahead on my own as I know it takes a lot longer than 6 months to build a half decent client base lol)

It might be worth seeing if there are any schemes in your area that do the same or similar.

Cath xx