Spa consulting companies regularly receive inquiries from people who are interested in becoming a Spa Consultant. Changes in the economic climate have made an increasing number of spa industry professionals consider a career change to consulting.
Spa consulting is a business, plain and simple. There are professionals who are ready to begin a it beratung für kmu career and have knowledge and skills that will provide great value and benefits. However, most people have not thought it through as a business and should spend more time analyzing the opportunity before making such a big decision. Be optimistic but realistic especially when it comes to your income, financial security, career goals and enjoying the work you do.
The best Spa Consultants have strong business skills, an in-depth knowledge of operations and the development process as well as previous financial responsibility for a spa or related business. They have information and skills that translate into valuable benefits for a client.
Being a Spa Consultant can be rewarding work. But it’s not easy, relaxing or glamorous. Carefully consider if you have what it takes to begin working in this profession and if the timing is right before making this or any career change.
Here’s an Insider’s View on what you should ask yourself if you’re considering becoming a Spa Consultant:
Are you prepared and cut out to be an Entrepreneur?
Do you have the right stuff to be in business? Many Spa Consultants are business owners and/or Independent Contractors for Consulting Companies. If your goal is to work for an established firm, your resume should be top notch and those firms need to be growing rapidly enough to warrant additional assistance.
Ask yourself:
Are you willing and able to work 12-14 hour days and weekends to meet deadlines?
Can you risk your personal finances to start the business and keep it running?
Can you “close the sale” when presenting your services to prospective clients?
Does your schedule allow for travel that may last a day, several days or weeks at a time?
Can you effectively turn your plans into goals and actions?
Do you have the technical skills to accurately complete the work?
Does the business have profit potential both short term and long term?
Do you have a plan if the business is not successful?
Can you be flexible in your plans, services and fees when the market changes?
Is this the right time to make a career change – emotionally and financially?
No matter how good change may be and how excited you are about it, change can be stressful. Though the job market and economy may leave you feeling insecure or overwhelmed with your current job, determine if you can emotionally and financially handle a career change right now.
Ask yourself:
Am I better off looking for a similar job with a different company?
Will it be better to create a business that is similar to my current job?
Can I emotionally and financially handle the ups and downs of consulting?
Can I emotionally and financially handle starting a business?
Do I have enough money saved (or alternate source of income) to live for at least six to nine months while the business is started and grows?
Are family and friends supportive of my plans? While not absolutely necessary, it sure will make your life a lot easier. Find at least one person who you can turn to for support.
Can you withstand unpredictable monthly income?
For all the positive attributes associated with owning a consulting business, by far one of the hardest things to deal with (especially for a new business) is unpredictable monthly income. When you work for a traditional company there is income stability with a regular paycheck. You know how much money you will make and can plan accordingly. This is very appealing and necessary for many people.
With consulting, there is a time lag between getting the work, doing the work and getting paid. Can you handle that? At this point we won’t even discuss clients not fulfilling contracts and delayed or terminated development plans.
For example, you get a contract with Aunty Aloha’s Day Spa on May 1st. That’s May Day in Hawaii and everyone is busy with flower lei contests so you can’t get in touch with the client. A week later you finally connect and they snail mail you a deposit. On May 20th you begin working on their Menu of Services which includes researching and choosing product vendors along with creating signature services and writing all the text. The client wants product samples. Vendors prove to be harder to connect with than expected. The process takes 3 weeks and still needs client approval.
The client wants changes and the product line must be organically made in Hawaii which was never mentioned before. Research takes more time and you need to review samples but amazingly you’re done in two weeks. The final menu is submitted on June 24th and approved a few days later. You send an electronic invoice at the end of the month. They take 30 days to pay and mail the check. You receive payment on August 1st, a full 3 months after the contract is agreed to. This is not unusual. In fact, it’s actually a bit quick. Meanwhile, you’ve been hard at work five to six days a week building the business but don’t see the financial effects for several months.
The moral of the story is…Just because you may be good at what you do doesn’t make for immediate financial success. It takes time to build the business and time for clients to pay.
Do you really want to be a Consultant or do you just want to do something different than what you’re doing now?
Some people really are cut out for consulting, love the work and excel with a variety of projects and clients. Meeting with prospects and selling their services is thrilling, not scary. They understand the pros and cons and continue to be excited and passionate about the spa industry.
