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Expert No. 3:
Life and Business Coach
Who:
Maria Marsala, owner of Elevating Your Business
Where:
Poulsbo, Washington
What:
A life and business coach
Why:
To get quick coaching tips on life and business
How to Contact:
www.coachmaria.com
Q What
are the most common mistakes small business owners make?
How can one best avoid them?
A The
biggest mistakes that I see people make is that they
aren’t niched, and they don’t create business plans
before they start their business. For example, they
don’t pick ideal clients—people who have money to pay
them, who really want their service, would come back for
more when they need it, and would refer them.
When I speak to a lot of new business owners, and I ask
them who their clients are, they usually say, “Anybody
who is breathing.” They’re afraid that if they get very
specific, that they won’t get any clients, but actually
it’s the other way around. The more specific they can
get, the more people will remember what they do.
I didn’t create a business plan when I first started my
business because I didn’t need funding. But I learned
from this mistake—a business plan helps you get focused.
It also helps to take a look at what problems you may
have down the line.
Q What
is the most concise piece of advice you can give from a
business/life coaching perspective that gets the
greatest results?
ADon’t
be a lone ranger. For the things you don’t like doing,
such as paperwork, hire someone to do it as soon as you
start making money. Go to networking meetings with other
massage therapists, as well as others outside of the
business. Don’t do business alone. Don’t think that
because you’re in business, you can’t ask for help.
Q What
steps can a massage therapist take to ensure a secure
financial future?
A I
think the biggest thing is to look at business as a
business. Most massage therapists are excellent at what
they do, but they may go out of business because they
don’t get help with the business part.
I also talk to massage therapists about creating a
niche—about focusing on what they bring to business
that’s unique.
Q What
are the three touchstones to effective business
planning?
AI
believe you have to separate your business from your
personal life, even if you’re passionate about your
business. So, first have a life—you need to fill that
cup with energy.
Second, you need to set boundaries. I know a lot of
massage therapists who are afraid to set business hours.
That doesn’t help your cause. Third, keep your offices
friendly and well-lit, because I’ve actually gone to
offices that are so dark that it wasn’t comfortable.Take
the time to arrange your offices in a friendly way,
thinking about the clients you are going to have.
Q What
is the purpose of a life coach?
A Somebody
would work with me because they’re looking to make more
money, or they’re working way too many hours, and
they’re not making enough money. They’re usually tired
and overwhelmed. Not with the massage part, but with the
business part.
Q How
does one find the right life coach? How much does it
cost?
A I
think you need to ask people you know for referrals, and
meet with three different coaches to get a feel for how
they work. You want to know about their background. Find
out how many years they have been in business. Ask for
referrals. Every coach has some clients who he or she
can give as referrals that your potential clients can
check. I also would ask for a mini-session. I don’t do
free consultations, but I do a mini-session on the
phone.You want somebody who you feel can take you to the
next level and beyond what you’re doing.You want to feel
that when you talk to the person that he or she is
listening to you and hearing you.
As far as cost goes, it really depends—you can spend by
the month or by the hour. A coach can cost you anywhere
from $100 an hour to $1,000 an hour. Most coaches offer
different types of plans. I have hourly rates; I also
have monthly plans with unlimited e-mail coaching—you
get phone or e-mail coaching.
It’s good to see what additional things somebody has to
offer you. I have a special section on my web site just
for my clients, where they can visit 24 hours a day.
Usually, for good coaching, it’s a minimum of $400 a
month.
Do I smell great to you?
Think about buying some candles, incense, essential oils
or an aromatherapy lamp. Don’t forget to open the
windows every now and again, too!
How private am I?
If you don’t have any privacy, find a way to create
some. Even if your office is a corner area, there
are
ways to make it private.
How do I feel?
Cozy, open, bright, warm, full...whatever feels good to
you! Make your office feel that way, too.
Where are your personal items?
Many years ago, it was not “professional” to have family
pictures on your desk. Now that you own your office, you
can do what you like!
How is my wall treatment?
If your office needs repainting or new wallpaper, set
aside the money and time to get it done. Consider
hanging pictures or posters you enjoy looking at.
Is my desk arranged to promote my brilliance and
creativity?
If you can arrange your desk so you can sit and see out
the window, or into the rest of the house, do it!
How do my windows look?
Clean curtains, shades and windows add to the feel of
any room, including your office.
Have you cleaned out my files and desk in the past year?
Make room for the new by cleaning out the old. Throw
away paperwork if you know you’ll find current
information on the Internet or at the library.
Where is my supply cabinet or closet?
The closer these items are to your office, the fewer
items on your “to complete” list.
Am I organized to your liking?
Visit www.theresourcequeen.com/books for a list of
organization, feng shui design and clutter control
books.
Expert No. 4:
Life and Business Coach
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American Massage Therapy Association®
