Are you in business for yourself but wondering if you’ll ever be able to support yourself?

A few weeks ago Ann, a massage therapist came to me needing some advice. She wanted to make her practice grow, but after we had some frank discussion, she realized she didn’t really want all the responsibility of owning her own business. At the beginning, she was attracted to flexible hours and a casual workplace, but the reality turned out to be lots of hours marketing herself and dressing appropriately for the networking occasions.

Together we made a list of things that would make her business grow, but that she was hesitant to follow through on.

• Network with other Massage Therapists
• Write Articles for Business Journals and Local Papers
• Attend Health Related Trade Shows
• Speak Confidently in Public

Although she wouldn’t need to do all of these (at least not at once) she wasn’t really willing to do any of them! Her real passion was hiking in the mountains and she didn’t want to give up the time.

She had never thought through all the details required to run her own practice and now was depressed. Ann wondered if she’d have to give up her dreams.

We discussed further her dreams for her professional life, and all she really wanted was to “work with people in a friendly atmosphere.”

As it turned out, she can make a living working with others, using her skill set, (massage), without extra responsibility. She decided to continue her practice for just a few friends and clients, and went on to land a great job in a chiropractors office as a therapist.

She’s much happier treating her private practice as her hobby, and leaving the business skills to someone else.

This was the right solution - for Ann.

Which you would prefer? A business or a hobby?

Every business – (blogging included if it is run for profit) - requires:

• sales and marketing, (asking for the sale)
• asking for the money, (closing the sale)
• paying bills on time, (staying in integrity)
• accounting (for the tax man)
• and maybe even occasional toilet washing

Hobbies are something you do for fun - and may occasionally bring you some income. How Nice!

Tune in, listen to your heart. Ask, Why do I want to turn this into my business? Is it your ego, your mind or your inner self, wanting to have a business?

There isn’t a right or wrong answer. Just something that will feel right for you.

I’d love to hear your stories.

Additional Resources:
Marketing for the Holistic Practitioner

Creating an Abundant Practice: A Spiritual and Practical Guide for Holistic Practitioners and Healing Centers
Marketing for the Holistic Practitioner