Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/142672
home-based businesses By Nina McIntosh Where you work can make a big difference. Working out of your home is inexpensive and convenient, but it's a little like wearing your old, favorite bathrobe to work—it might be more comfortable, but you'll have to work a lot harder to convince the client you're a legitimate professional. Having an office makes a clear statement that you are a committed massage therapist or bodyworker. It says to both you and your clients that this isn't just a hobby and that you're serious about your work and willing to invest in it. You might be able to communicate that attitude if you work out of your home, but the statement is stronger in an office setting. Our profession is still struggling to be taken seriously, and we need to be aware of appearances. We still have to counter the massageparlor image, both to make sure clients feel safe with us and we feel safe with them. A professional office space can reassure a wary client that you are legitimate. It also sends a signal to those who may be looking for sexual services that we're not interested. If we work out of an office building with others around, we are that much safer. A client relays a cautionary tale about work settings: "When I first became interested in bodywork, there was a male practitioner who was well recommended. In spite of his good reviews, I was unsure about seeing him because he worked out of his house. I almost didn't schedule an appointment, but then decided I would do it and take precautions. When I went for the first session with him, I actually gave a friend the practitioner's address and said, 'If I don't call you in two hours, call the police.' The session went fine, and I continued working with that massage therapist for some time. However, I came very close to never making that first appointment." Having your practice in your home also risks revealing more about yourself than you may want. As a professional, you want to keep your personal life out of the relationship with your client—not to be distant or aloof, but to keep the focus on the client and on creating a relaxing environment. A client coming into your home will pick up a good deal of information about you—the neighborhood you live in, if you keep your house tidy, whether you live with someone else, and even, depending on where your kitchen is, what you're cooking for dinner. All this information may be distracting to clients or cause them to have reactions or form judgments about you that can interfere with their comfort. Another drawback of a home office is that it may unconsciously feel like a host-guest relationship to both of you. Clients need to be able to fully A professional office space can reassure a wary client that you are legitimate. relax during a session and not feel as if they have to be polite in someone's home. And practitioners sometimes have the challenge of discouraging clients who want to linger on to chat. An office is a more neutral space. Many practitioners who have tried both settings report they attract a broader range of clientele when they work out of an office. A Professional Environment Whether you choose to work out of your house or use an office, here are some pointers for creating a safe, professional environment. As much as possible, avoid showing the client your personal space. If you choose to work out of your home, use a room that's set aside just for your professional work. The message to clients is that this is a space solely for their relaxation. (There's also an advantage to being able to shut the office door at the end of your business day and focus on your private life without reminders of work concerns.) If possible, a good arrangement when working from your home is to