In recent weeks, a number of people have come to the office hoping to get a massage right when they arrive. While this is the sort of thing that happens from time to time, suddenly it's happening more frequently at Treat Yourself Right.
I'm not sure exactly what the change is, though I suspect it's the increase of massage bars across the country. For those who prefer a quick, spur-of-the-moment massage, the massage bar seems ideal. If that's what you're after, by all means, have at it! There is enough variety in the bodywork industry for everyone to be accommodated.
However, not every person can be accommodated by every type of practitioner. There are a few purely logistical reasons for independent practitioners not to offer walk-in sessions. While Treat Yourself Right has dedicated office space in a mixed use building, many sole proprietors work out of their homes. While business is usually welcome, having a stranger, or even an established client, suddenly show up on your doorstep when you're in the middle of cleaning the kitchen is not.
When I had a home office, I once made the mistake of allowing a prescedent to be set with a client by seeing her as soon as I could set up on what I had reserved as my day off. Why? Because I was a sap. She was waiting outside the door to my office when I got home and I was foolish enough to feel obligated to give her what she wanted. While most people won't deliberately take advantage of bodyworkers' service-oriented tendencies, the few who do can really go overboard. I ended up firing her as a client later, when she interrupted another person's session by pounding on the door to my office. I have no doubt whatsoever that had her massage been interrupted, she would have demanded I comp her the session.
I don't have a receptionist or other staff because I would have to pay them, which means I would have to raise my rates to have something to pay them with. Self-employment, microbusiness, whatever you want to call it does not operate the same way larger businesses do.
When I am managing my paperwork or on break between clients, I can interrupt what I'm doing for a walk-in inquiry. When I am with a client, that person has my attention. I can't be present for and with them if I am checking my messages or tending to whomever walks through the door, whether they want to see me, my office mate, or anyone who happens to be there for a sales call. With an independent provider, what is lost in the "instant gratification" category is gained back tenfold in personalized service.
I am, admittedly, an independent practitioner snob. I offer personalized sessions rather than formulaic routines. I endeavor to treat each person who walks into my waiting room as an individual, and I have grown to a point where I expect the same in return. If I'm availiable, I'll be happy to talk with you and work with you at a time that works with both of our schedules. If I am with another client, that's their time and I'm going to respect them and their schedule. If a message is left, I'll return the call or note as soon as I can. If you can't (or won't) wait, then by all means, go to the next person on your list. There are tons of bodyworkers and someone, somewhere is sure to be able to accommodate you. In the future though, you might save a lot of time by calling ahead to make sure your first, second, or third choice is actually available. Those of us who survive professionally in this business are usually booked in advance for a reason.
