Building a Complementary Therapy Business

Why is a Business Coach Important?

Running a business can take all of your time, energy and focus leaving you with very little energy to do anything else but the day to day running of what is effectively your job.

This scenario is fine if you wish to stay the way you are and not improve or expand your business in any way. Indeed, a lot of people are happy in such a situation.

The danger is that if we become too happy and complacent we fail to see how our competitors are stream lining and improving their business and it is possible that you begin to lose your business to them little by little until one day you realize that your business is half the size it once way.

If you wish to expand your business, a good business coach will help you to see ways in which you can make this happen. This could be in the form of how best to promote your business, helping you with realistic goal setting to help keep you on track and make your accountable for your actions.

Are business coaches worth it?

If you wish to expand your business, and are serious about it, a business coach will work with you to help make that happen. The value is not just in monetary terms. You will grow as a person, develop new ways of thinking, become more positive, have clear objectives and learn to challenge yourself in ways that you had not thought possible.

What does a small business coach do?

A small business coach will assess the needs of your individual business, each business is unique in the way that they work and the values that that the business owner holds. You will set goals which are achievable, but which do stretch you slightly and you will be supported, encouraged and held accountable for reaching those goals.

What Should I Expect from a Business Coach?

Before you begin work with your business coach, at a minimum, you should be aware of the fees for the services that they offer, and the duration of each session.  A contract should be provided which will outline this as well as other information such as the cancellation policy. Some coaches offer a free short consultation which will help to establish if you are comfortable working together. Finding the right coach for you is important, you must feel comfortable with the person you are working with, and you must be able to feel that you can trust them and that you respect them and that you are ready to accept the advice that they offer.

What do you talk about with your career coach?

It is impossible to separate your personal/family life and that of your business or career aspirations. You are the way that you partly as a result of your upbringing as well as your life experiences either good or bad or a mixture of the two. We will discuss what drives you to succeed as motivation itself sadly is not enough. We will establish your end goal, what you would like to achieve and then create a workable plan as to how to achieve it. Ongoing sessions include updates on how you have progressed, any barriers to reaching your goals either expected or unexpected and how your work is affecting you personally as you work to this end.

Why is a business coach important?

if you are lucky and have people around you that care, you may have tried to talk about your goals with them. The problem is that those people in your life that are close to you may end up saying what they think you want them to say in order to avoid upsetting you or they will offer advice based on their own personal experiences and situation.  When working with us we will always offer suggestions as well as working with you to help you implement your own suggestions/goals. Our work is solution based in a supportive and friendly environment.

How Do I Become a Holistic Therapist?

First of all ask yourself why you wish to become a holistic therapist. This question is not meant to put you off but rather to ask if you have sufficient motivation in order to do so. Remember that you must like working with people and be able to easily build rapport, the latter can be learnt with experience.

Next, list the types of therapies that are interest to you. Holistic therapies cover a broad from reiki & reflexology to homeopathy and EFT.

Next, begin to research the courses that are of interest to you. Perhaps it is a good idea to study a short or introductory course first as this will help you establish if this is really what you would like to do. Some courses require significant input in both time and money. Do you have the time and financial resources available to do this?

The International Guild of Complementary Therapists has a number of schools and training establishments that offer accredited and insurable courses. Each course has been fully assessed and offers training above and beyond what is expected, If you are interested in any of the courses offered by our member schools, please go get in touch with the individual training providers who will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.

Starting a holistic business

1. Get qualified, insured and join a professional organization such as the International Guild of Complementary Therapists. By joining a profession body you are showing your clients and potential clients that you are serious about offering the best possible service/treatment.
2. Decide where you want to work. Would you like to work for someone else or would you like to become self-employed? If the latter, where you would work? From home, a clinic or salon, as a mobile therapist visiting clients in their own home, renting a therapy room or in a spa or resort, on a cruise shop along with beauty therapists and hairdressers or something else?

Ask yourself:

• Who is your target audience?
• What are you going to do to attract business?
• Where are you going to work?

How to find a small business mentor

Through recommendations, reviews, online search, who are you drawn to, speak to them – are they easy to talk to? Do you feel that you could work with this person? Are the fees transparent?

Finding new customers

Ways in which you can do this:

Offers – time limited

leaflets

FB and other social media outlets

Word of mouth, ask clients to tell other people about what you offer

Give a talk at local groups

Review your business, branding, image, what is it saying about you and what you offer

Review where you work, are you in the best possible place to attract customers?

Time are you dedicating enough time to your business?

How To Find a Small Business Mentor

How much does a small business coach cost?

Currently the hourly rate for business coaches can vary from £100 to £500 up to £1500, which is the fee charged when working with executives from large organizations. Some companies offer a package which may be slightly less than their hourly rate. Whilst this may seem expensive to some people, the fee is a reflection on the value that the coach will add to the business.

What are some coaching techniques?

Listening, asking open ended questions, time management, motivation, setting goals which are achievable but at the same time challenge the client slightly so that they develop and grow.