Six Reasons To Get Started On A Mobile Spa Business Now Copyright 2011 Serve The Goddess™ Page 2

SIX REASONS TO GET STARTED ON A MOBILE SPA BUSINESS NOW Hello future mobile spa owner. My name is Helen Hodgson and I’m so glad you’re here! You may be a massage therapist, esthetician or nail technician who is having the same experience I did 11 years ago.

• Are you working longer hours but not earning enough money? • Have you reached your income cap? • Are you tired of working evenings and weekends? • Are you too tired to enjoy your day(s) off? • Do you need a vacation but can't afford the time away? • Are you tired of paying too much office or booth rent? • Are you tired of working for someone else? • Are you unsatisfied with your career?

I know you really love what you do but you’re tired of being tired. Now imagine this:

• You are working half the time and earning twice as much. • You are enjoying fun family time & earning money at the same time. • You are on vacation and STILL earning money. • Your income is increasing as your "spa technicians" work. • You never have to punch a clock again. • You work when YOU want and call your own hours.

Since I started my mobile spa in 2000, I tripled my income. And because of my expertise in the mobile spa industry I was elected to the position of Vice President-West Coast of The Mobile Spa Network. Travel is very important to me as all of my family lives abroad. As a mobile spa owner I am able to visit my family in England twice a year and know my business still operates in my absence. As a solo practitioner I could only visit once every few years but now I have the flexibility and income that allows me to visit more! I can choose when I want to work and I get to enjoy the weekends with my husband at our house down at the beach near Los Angeles, California. I actually have energy to enjoy my days off. When I started my mobile spa there weren’t any leaders in the profession. I struggled and learned as I went along making some mistakes, some of them costly along the way! I wish I’d had a coach that could have guided me through the process. So with my vast experience, I’d like to help people just like you so you can avoid the mistakes I made and achieve a lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of with less effort and in less time.

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Now is the perfect time to start your own mobile spa business. With the economy in its current state, many brick and mortar spas have closed down. Being mobile has the benefit of no rent overheads. And the best part is that you can start out part time and build slowly like I did years ago with low risk! That’s exactly what I did and in the following pages I’ll walk you through the many reasons I started my mobile spa. I am sure you will relate. These days, there are plenty of good day spas thriving in the world. Because people are more familiar and more particular about overall relaxation integrated with beauty treatments, day spas have truly come of age. So fast has been the emergence of the spa industry that currently there is a new trend on the rise. Mobile spas are starting to proliferate and operate actively in most markets. Conceptualized and developed on the principle that clients are more at home and comfortable having spa services provided right at the coziness and privacy of home, mobile spas are truly patronized well. In fact, mobile spas are most in-demand in busy markets across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

If you are an entrepreneur and you want to enter into the day spa business, or if you are already into spa operations, you should consider getting into the mobile spa business. Because clients are raving about the idea and the concept, you can always be sure you will have a huge demand for your spa services. There are other logical and appealing reasons why you should take your spa business right to the doorsteps of clients, including the following.

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1. Your income will increase. This is all about changing your mindset. I know better than anyone that the perspective of those who are involved in this industry is that the goal should not be about making money, it should be about making people feel better. But through experience I have found that it IS possible to do it all. As a solo massage or spa technician there is a limit to how to many massage/spa services you can perform in a day or a week. When I was working for someone else, I was doing eight to nine massages per day, and receiving only a percentage of the profit. My energy was being expended for virtually no reward, and I started to feel like I was selling myself short when working one on one with clients. This became even more apparent as I felt burnt out and my immune system was over-taxed. I was unable to meet all of my commitments and had to turn away clients because I was getting sick so often. Gradually I began to realize that I could work less and increase my income by “cloning” myself. This has the double benefit of being able to reach more clients and also provide work for others in my industry. By contracting other technicians, you will leverage yourself and make more money while working less. Think about this. I can take a vacation and still earn an income. How amazing is that! Because you will be contracting other massage therapists, aestheticians and nail technicians who will become your representatives, it is important to personally interview each of them and receive their treatments. You must also check their credentials and ensure that they will go the extra mile to get the job done. Essentially, you want people who value their work as much as you do. With this approach, it is possible for business income to increase exponentially. Because your mobile spa is your business, your efforts will dictate your profitability. In other words, your earnings and revenue potential can be limitless, depending on the number of calls and service orders you receive.

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2. Start-up costs are none to low and you will enjoy more tax deductions.

Because you are mobile, your start-up costs are reduced dramatically. Mobile spas require little cost. You will not pay higher rents for business sites and establishments and you will not incur much for operating expenses. Utility bills, maintenance, premium-rate insurance, and business tax implementations can be waived or at least significantly minimized. Plus, you will eliminate ongoing costs that would relate to operating a storefront operation.

From my experience, these are the costs you would incur as a mobile spa owner, assuming that you already have a reliable car:

• Business license • Fictitious business name filing • Website • Business cards • Advertising • Networking membership fees • Massage table • Massage chair • Linens • Equipment and supplies • Aromatherapy/massage oils

You can realize several tax advantages by claiming legal business expenses from your gross income. Please consult with your accountant for advice and start saving your receipts now!

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3. You will have more freedom and flexibility in your schedule. If you are currently working in a spa, do you ever get tired of staring at the same four walls? Maybe your room is very small and you feel cramped. There is often a clinical kind of atmosphere, like being in a doctor’s office. The difference between this environment and being mobile is that your scenery changes every day. And clients will be more comfortable than in a traditional spa setting because it is more intimate, without requiring them to drive to their appointment and check in and out. Being mobile gives you a sense of freedom, which means that every day is different. You never know where you’ll be or who you will be working on. There is an ongoing excitement because routines are broken down. Every day, you could take your business to different places. You are released from the boredom of a predictable day-to-day job. No two days will ever be the same. You are out in the community, not stuck working in a spa or salon. Another benefit to working outside of a sterile spa environment is that you are able to focus on stimulating all of the senses — sight, sound, taste, and smell. Because you bring all of the essentials to creating the spa experience (linens, aromatherapy essences, music, etc.), guests are able to relax and fully appreciate the setting even more. You can even suggest that they order in food, to enhance their taste buds. Also, depending on the space available, you can encourage them to have their services performed outdoors (on a deck or balcony), thus bringing in the elements of nature as well. There is also a potential for total career satisfaction. When you get into the mobile spa business, you are outright building a business based more on your level of efforts, skills, and expertise. Try starting up and operating a mobile day spa, and experience for yourself why many clients and entrepreneurs are getting more into it Having experienced it firsthand, I know what it’s like to work at a spa. There are generally five to six technicians sitting around the break room, waiting for the next client to come in. Eventually someone will start to complain that it’s quiet with no clients, and the negative energy becomes contagious. This type of environment is not conducive to spreading the message of self-care to your clients.

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By being mobile, you are able to feel more productive with the use of your time. If you find yourself between appointments with extra time in your day, you can take a walk and bring your phone with you. That way, you are still reachable to your clients, but can also enjoy a change of scenery. You can also fit day-to-day errands into your schedule as time allows, so you can feel productive with every moment, and not like you have to scramble to get things done when you’re “off the clock.” Do you clock in and out and have the same hours every day? When you have your own business, you create your own schedule. Every day is different and you will not be boxed within set hours and enclosed areas.

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4. You will be able to reach more clients. One of the reasons that I entered into this industry is because I wanted to be able to reach as many people as possible, so that they can receive the healing benefits of massage and spa services. As a result of my experience working for a spa (and dealing with the consequences of being considered “just a number” by the owner), I soon realized the benefits of being able to clone myself. Instead of practicing solo, the sky is now the limit. For example, instead of working one-on-one as with an individual client, you can service six or more clients at the same appointment at a spa party. You can contract with other massage therapists and aestheticians to service personal or corporate events, thus providing employment and income for others. Another example of this is with couples massage. Most couples prefer to get their massage at the same time so they can be in the same relaxed state. And this is also demonstrated best when you consider how many more referrals you are likely to receive from a spa party versus a one-on-one appointment. As illustrated by the image below, one referral can quickly have a domino effect. One client tells two of their friends, who in turn tell two more of their friends… and before you know it you’ve got a whole pool of people who are interested in learning more about what you have to offer.

The power of referrals…

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5. You will be your own boss. Who doesn’t want to be in control when it comes to their work life and be the boss? It’s so much easier when you are the boss to jump out of bed each morning brimming with ideas and excited to start the day! Most importantly, no one will be breathing down your neck telling you how to do your work. It helps if you are self motivated and if you enjoy managing people and are comfortable delegating and giving direction with a purpose. Are you good at sales and attracting new clients to your business? If so, that’s as important as getting new clients. It is the most important part of your business and it’s the one that is absolutely within your total control. Being the boss gives you the advantage of calling and setting your own hours. If you’re not a morning person you won’t have to struggle getting to work at 9am anymore. Alternatively if you are better suited to the morning you can take advantage and set your hours around the times you best excel. You Can Run a Mobile Spa Part-Time. Your mobile spa can be a part-time business if you like to retain your present job for security purposes. Once you establish your clientele and have your own niche and a number of loyal patrons, you can decide whether you will like to go full-time or maintain the part-time status. This is exactly how I modeled my mobile spa business. Before I gave up my job in the spa as a massage therapist I was working a half day only. I had a full client base and I was bringing in money consistently which gave me the confidence to let my spa job go. Also I maintained a good relationship with the spa owner when I quit and still do to this day. Don’t burn your bridges.

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6. You can be more creative with every facet of your business. Your mobile spa can service individuals, couples and groups and you can be of service to clients in their homes, office or special events. Spa parties for groups are the most fun and profitable. The potential for different types of spa parties is infinite. Right now I receive requests for:

• Birthdays • Anniversaries • Bridal showers • Bachelorette parties • Baby showers • Bar/Bat mitzvahs • Girls’ nights in • Teen parties • Pre teen parties

As a result, I have brought in not only massage and nail technicians, but also aestheticians who perform facials, palm and tarot readers, fortune tellers, make-up artists and face painters for kid’s parties! Another benefit of being your own boss is all of the creativity that this allows. I have enjoyed this aspect of my business so much, because I am able to come up with packages that really set me apart from my competitors. For example, I love creating holiday-themed spa packages every season. For Valentine’s Day, I am offering a chocolate body scrub. I am also featuring Cupid’s Delight, or a couple’s massage package. There are tons of ideas for mobile spa services every month. The obvious ones are:

• Valentine’s Day • Mother’s Day • Father’s Day • July 4th • Thanksgiving • Christmas

My business philosophy is based on women’s empowerment through the healing power of touch. This fits perfectly with my chosen business name, Serve the Goddess. Touch is vital to living, and we all need the stimulation of touch for many reasons. I have used the notion of goddesses and how they tie in to Greek mythology to create various spa packages based on different Greek goddesses. For example, there is Aphrodite’s Delight for the golden goddess of beauty, and Demeter’s Retreat for nurturers and caretakers. I encourage my clients to select a package that suits their personality (or the personality of the honoree).

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I also enjoy partnering with other businesses to promote my services. This type of cross-marketing is not something you would be able to do if you were working in a traditional spa environment, but it is the perfect way to promote yourself and help another business at the same time. Another way that I set my business apart from others is a ritual that I perform at every spa party, called a Sacred Circle. Created to set the tone for the day’s events, all of the guests are gathered at the very beginning and asked to prepare a passage or poem to the guest of honor. Each guest goes around the circle and shares their gratitude for being there, and we record it onto a disk for the honoree to take home as a memory of their special day. This is something they will always be able to treasure. So you see, the world is your oyster. But how would you begin? You may be thinking you don’t know the steps. How would you stay on track with everything else you have going on in your life? It’s a lot to think about. Actually, it’s easier than you think, and you will earn money much more quickly with the guidance of someone who has done this before and can coach you through the process. If you enjoyed reading this and are interested in knowing more about how to start your own mobile spa, please email me or call to schedule a complimentary 20 minute session to see if this might be right for you and so I can answer your questions. My contact info is below. I look forward to our journey together to making more money and having freedom & flexibility with your own successful Mobile Spa Business. To your success,

Helen Hodgson, Owner/CEO Serve the Goddess Mobile Spa U Knead Massage - Corporate Chair Massage Vice President, West Coast, The Mobile Spa Network CA State Coordinator, Emergency Response Massage International info@howtocreateamobilespabusiness.com 323-573-6344