Can I plz get your opinion on my business idea?

[shirlls]

I wasn't sure whether to post this on here or the Work & Finance page, but I am posting it on both as there might be more traffic here.

I have recently qualified as a complementary therapist (massage, facials, reflexology and hypnotherapy), and hoping to become self-employed, or at least be self-employed doing this as well as my part time admin job 2 days a week.

My original idea was to start doing it mobile, and build up a client base before renting a room in a clinic. However, like any other new business I have been struggling to get my business off the ground as there are so many other people doing the same thing. While I know competition is fierce out there, I never realised quite how fierce! I have advertised special discounts and even treatments at a lower price and I have only managed to get a couple of clients. Most clinics when advertising a room, usually expect you to bring a client base and with a baby and being on mat leave, I can't afford to take a risk and put up some money for a room to work from just in case I don't get the clients and lose money that I badly need just now. Then there is child care, OH is on a low wage so we can only afford the childcare for the 2 days I'll be working already.

HOWEVER, I have thought of a business idea which could get round the start up and advertising costs and get my name out there, and also works around child care (OH works 9-5, Mon-Fri). Tell me what you think. I have past work experience of successful event planning and is something I have been told I'm good at. I also quite enjoy it, and because of my experience I know a lot of what is involved. I am considering making my business a pampering events business.

The idea is, I hire a hall somewhere (e.g. community centre hall or church hall) and hold a pamper/ladies day or night on a Saturday or Sunday with stalls by myself, other therapists doing other things (e.g. body wraps), hairdressers, nail technicians, hand made jewellery, clothes and bags sellers, psychic, etc. I could charge for the stall, something like £20 each stall and the businesses who have stalls get the chance to advertise themselves and make money when they are there too. For people visiting, there could be a small entry fee, £3 per person (kids free) and I could advertise it online and printing posters wouldn't cost the earth to put up in local shops, libraries, etc. It would bring in some money and also be a way of advertising myself as an actual therapist too.

Ideas welcome!

 

[Rachel_C]

I'm not too sure about hiring a hall yourself - it sounds like a lot of work and it might not pay off, but I don't know much about that kind of thing! What I do know is that the local primary school here just had a ladies' pamper night pretty much like you described. It was to raise money for the school obviously, but the PTA made money from selling tickets (I think it was £5 entry per lady) and the stall holders were doing things like facials, nails etc - I assume they got to keep their profits but paid £20 per stall.

So while I don't have a clue about doing it all yourself, it might be worth contacting some local schools and seeing if they are planning anything similar (school summer fairs should be coming up soon!) and if you could go along, or help them plan something if they're not. You wouldn't have to hire a hall and the PTA would take on a lot of the organising, plus you'd already have a captive audience as lots of the school's mums would come along just because it was at the school. It would be a great way to get known locally too.

 

[ClaireLouise]

Iv been to a few wedding fayres with my friends and that might be a good place to start? Weddings are big bucks but there are so many avenues to choose from. Have a look where there are any near you. Even if it just to ask them questions. A lot of the business that have stalls at Wedding Fayres start out just like yourself.

Hen partys would also probably be one of your biggest kind of client. Why dont you research that area too? Make a Facebook page (or website?) get some business cards made. Tell your friends, and friends of friends. You need to offer something that the next Joe Bloggs isnt.

I would also nip into shops like Lush and BodyShop, as i know they do lots of event type things, and could give you some useful advice. The staff in Lush are usually always very helpful.

The best way of getting some custom is to offer your service REALLY cheap as a first time one-off. Maybe offer Facebook "Likes" where the winner "Wins" something? I always see things like that on my newsfeed.

The key here is Networking. With a capital "N"!

Good luck!

 

[aimee-lou]

Was going to say there are plenty of 'Mind, body and Spirit' fairs that you could set up a stand at for very little outlay. My mum used to do craft fairs (3d decoupage pictures) and would pay £20-£50 a day depending on the venue and size of the event to get a stand with table, a space to sell her wares and some advertising at the entrance. If you could set up and offer treatments, advertise parties or mobile treatments, online services and vouchers, and basically network yourself to wedding/hen parties and as a freelancer, you may find that you can grow your business.

Hope you do well!