As of now, I'm 19 and I've just been drifting, not really doing much but working as a manager at a small pizza place making barely above minimum wage. When I got out of high school, I thought I wanted to do graphic design, then switched to web design, then computer engineering, then business management, and then, until a couple days ago, I really didn't know. (I'm very indecisive BTW) So I know that I want a really chill job that doesn't require years of schooling. I don't care too much about making a lot of money, just enough to live a humble life. I joked around about becoming a hair stylist (this is the kinda chill job I want, just hangin out, cutting hair, talkin to people) but honestly, it's a little too feminine for my liking. For a while I've entertained the thought of massage therapy, but didn't really think about it seriously until a couple days ago. I got thinking about it and I am just set up so perfectly for this. My grandma is not only an experienced massage therapist but she practically runs a smaller massage school that's a 15 minute drive from where I live. All that gives me a decent advantage but also, once I'm done with school, if I can't get a job anywhere, the practical thing to do would be to start freelancing it. Now this is where I'm set up to succeed. Not only have I run a small eCommerce business in the past (which failed, but I learned sooo much from it without losing a ton of money) and have a talent for thinking of innovative ways to build a customer base, but I also have most of the skills I need to build a website and design ads. I'm pretty sure this is what I want to do but I'm gonna wait a couple days and see if it still sounds this good. Just wanted to share this with ya, any comments or advice would be appreciated.
I feel like a freelance massage therapist would have a very hard time bringing in a steady salary to support a life. If I may suggest something, look at massage therapy jobs on a cruise ship- you get to travel all over the world, and they pay a lot of living expenses, so you'll be able to save a ton of money. Cruise ships workers work on contracts, generally 6 to 8 months, so try out a contract, save some money, and if you dont like it enough to sign another contract, put the money you saved into either opening your own practice or something. Also, look at massage therapy jobs at resorts- they have them in whatever possible location you could want. btw im taking a dump right now /illusionshattered
good luck on your entrepreneurial endeavors. I'm sure you know already, this career is 80% customer service and 20% skill.
Great idea, thanks, and yes the freelancing would probably be a last resort and it's not too hard to build a client base, it just takes a lot of time and know how. Once I start getting a lot of clients, I can up my rates little by little until I'm making a decent living working 4-5 hours per day 5 days per week making around $65 per hour (and that's just average so I've read). Haha, yes I have seen the porn vids and I'd only go for that with a gf or fuck buddy.
I'm only 18 and I have strong ambitions of becoming an investment banker or some sort of financial advisor/analyst. Am i going to look back and think "I was an idiot"? If this is what he feels he can do for his life that wont leave him miserable, who are you to call him an idiot?
Doubt it, I owned my own business when I was 17 and still don't regret it even though it failed after just a couple months (no so much do to my business strategy as to me not realizing I need a niche that hasn't been done a million and one times). My bro is 18 and already a pharmacy tech. Recognizing and taking advantage of this amazing opportunity early on is gonna help. Right now, I'm just thinking I need to kick myself in the ass and start workin toward something I want to do. I was debating just getting a certification and trying to become an IT guy in an office or something, as I'm good with computers, but I just can't see myself doing that for the rest of my life. Like I said, I'm not worried about becoming rich and I don't plan on getting married and having kids (although I might think about it in 5-10 years). I just want to live a humble, simple life where I can help people. Also, I forgot to mention, my grandma that runs the school already wants to put me in charge of their computer systems. Enrolling AND working for the school can only help build a better reference for future employment and give me a decent discount or just pay me money for tuition.
Oh right, everyone's a business genius at 19. You have everything locked in and you're golden. When you're 30, you'll look back and say 'damn I'm a genius!'.
That's in theory man. What if you aren't getting a lot of clients? what about fixed costs and advertising costs? While a client may pay $65 for an hour massage, only a percentage of that is going to be profit. Just keep this in mind man.
Dude your obviously just trying to start an argument, just stop. I never claimed to be a business expert, just that I ran an ecommerce site and learned a lot from my mistakes. Am I sure that this will work out for me in the end? nope, but I'm willing to take the risk rather than just sit around and end up with nothing. I'm aware of that, I gotta invest money to make money. There are risks to everything but if I don't do something because it might not work out then I'll end up with nothing. I kinda know what I'm doing with this stuff but I still have a lot to learn. If I end up not getting the client base I need, I'll even live with my parents till I can get hired somewhere, even if it doesn't have anything to do with massage therapy.
Don't try to rely on massage as a main income. Most people (unless you're a hot chick) do it as a side thing and do well that way.