First Ever Paying Client

[Pompal 09.]

Evening everyone!

I have just had my first ever paying client for Swedish massage, she is a friend of a friend and was referred to me.

She decided that she would come to me as her house wasn't very calm, so I put in extra special effort to make sure everything smelt extra lovely, the lights were very calming and the room looked super beautiful.

Things were going brilliantly...then as I was just moving on to her left arm my partner (Who was in the other sitting room) decided that he would start shouting through the house to his friend who was in the kitchen...not only was he shouting, he was also using the not very relaxing F word every other sentence.

This went on for about 10 minutes, and I was mortified. I had already discussed with my partner what the drill would need to be when I was treating clients from home but he clearly didn't think!

At the end of the treatment I explained that I wasn't taking payment and passed it of as an introductory treat, but she insisted that I took the money as she felt really relaxed and had enjoyed herself.

I just feel so deflated and am now having to rethink the whole home treatment idea.

I apologise for my rant, but I don't know who else to share this with, did anyone else have such a disastrous first appointment?

 

[Ashera]

Well done on getting your first paying client. May it be the first of many. Don't feel too deflated, your boyfriend just needs to be trained. He probably forgot that you were doing a treatment. It's a learning curve so you'll soon find out if working from home suits you or not. I've not had this happen to me working at home. However a spa I work in has an area for clients to relax in and the treatments rooms are close by. If clients are talking too loudly I let my client know that I going to leave the room for a moment to ask them to keep the noise down. I then leave the room and quietly remind the people chatting loudly that treatments are taking place, they apologise and then keep the nosie down.

 

[Rach]

I am quite fortunate as being a male therapist, I have a more sensative female partner, who do tend to be more thoughtful than us male partners. However, I am sure your partner benefits from regular massages himself, so maybe next time a little hint that his massages will be cancelled for a while each time he interrupts your clients massage might do the trick. I'm certain I would soon learn to keep my gob shut if it meant missing some massages myself.

Congratulations on your first client too

 

[Account Closed]

I can remember one particular 'treatment' day, when my girls were quite small. They were normally brilliant at keeping out of the way, or my OH would keep them entertained - but on this one occasion, the phone rang and it was someone from home (we lived in the US). My client was oblivious and dosing happily, but I could hear the theatrical whispering going on outside the door between the older, bossy, sister, and the younger, more daring one. There was then a bit of a rustle, and a large envelope came under the door with 'Ohpun me' on it. By the end of the hour, the doorway was practically ankle deep in paperwork! My client, a local psychiatrist, thought it was hysterical! When we opened the door, both girls were sitting out side, covered in coloured felt-tip ink.... my OH was still on the phone!
I wouldn't worry about it - put it down to experience, but if it happens again, do what Essence99 recommends - simply apologise for the interruption and go and read the riot act to the miscreants!!!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Thank you everyone,

I have spoken to my cleint since and she was very happy with the treatment, thankfully she was understanding. She has even asked if I will do some mini - treatments at a ladies pamper night. WINNER!

I spoke to my OH last night and he was more mortified than I was. He apologised profusley as he didnt realise that he could be heard.

I have finally stopped sulking now and I am pleased that, despite the hiccup my client was happy with the service.

I have even been told by the lovely OH that I can redecorate the room to make it as perfect for home treatments as possible!

Ohhh Im so excited for the road ahead, thank you again for helping me keep my chin up!

 

[dindattaino]

I am glad that things have worked out. When you start up you tend to have a few hiccups, better sooner than later. It sounds like it is all working out for the best and that your client focus has given you a new opportunity! Well done!

 

[jewyou420]

I'm so glad all has worked out in the end! Being so conciencious, I am sure you will make an excellent therapist.

Every best wish

Love and Light

 

[Atheris ceratophora]

I find the two major traumas of being a therapist are tring to control the temperature and the noise and have not yet come across another therapist who does not battle with the same issues.

Saying that though as a client I could not give a monkeys about external noise - a couple of minutes into the treatment you kind of detach from the here and now and don't really notice.

I have had a couple of treatments where I could tell that the therapists ( different ones) were mortified about the racket going on either in the street or the waiting room of a shared clinic, you could feel the tension coming off them however it was this not the noise that was most obvious.

Working from home is great but you will be amazed what the neighbors, people in your household and passers by will get up to when you have a new client - a GSOH is essential !

good luck

Lou xxx

 

[brawlmania(luis)]

My wife teaches the piano and we used to live in a top-floor converted flat. One time, a young child arrived with her mother for a first lesson - and that was the time our neighbour (someone we never met) chose to have sex with a particularly noisy woman! My wife tried talking louder and louder to the child as the noise from next door became harder and harder to ignore... funnily enough, that pupil never came again (oops, unfortunate phrase). So I'm glad to hear that your client was more understanding. And at least you've got some control over your partner. It's a bit more difficult with a noisy, randy neighbour!