Practical Matters

Location - Where will you do your treatments?
Having your own office is probably the ideal situation. But unless you already have an established list of clients you probably won't be able to afford one. There are some alternatives that may be good choices for you.

You can work out of your house if that's comfortable for you (and for the other people living there). This option probably gives you the most freedom and flexibility - and has the added benefit of being good for the earth (you don't use gas to commute to your job). But there may be local ordinances that restrict how you can run your business. If you decide to pursue this option, check with your local city/county administration or chamber of commerce.

There's also the "go to your clients" option. If you're doing short treatments with a massage chair you may be able to offer your services at a local business that already offers chair massage - like a natural food store. And don't forget that you can always take your table/chair (see the "Equipment" section below) to the person you're treating. You can also just use their own furniture (like a chair or bed, if they can't get up). Reiki can be a very portable form of healing work.

Equipment - What do you need?
There are tables designed especially for Reiki, with room for your legs so you can sit in different places around the table - something massage therapists don't usually do. But a massage table will work just fine.

A massage chair is also a good idea, since it lets you take your services to people, and that will bring you more business. Your treatments will probably be shorter, but sometimes that's all people need or can afford (in money or time). In fact, you may find yourself doing only shorter treatments. It really depends on how your practice develops.

Pricing - How much will you charge for your services?
This can be hard, especially for people who've never had their own business before. If there are any other Reiki practitioners in your area you can use their prices to come up with your own. Be competitive, but don't undercut them (except maybe for introductory specials). First of all, it's not fair and may come back to haunt you later (when someone undercuts your prices). Also, you may need to work with these people occasionally, and stealing their customers won't make for good business relationships later on.

Remember that each business owner has to take different things into consideration when setting prices (for example, do they have to pay office rent?). Your prices may be higher or lower depending on your own "overhead" - the expenses to run your business - and what you want to make after you pay those expenses.

Payments - How will people pay you?
The more payment options you have, the more business you'll have. Cash and checks are the two most obvious choices, but don't forget credit/debit cards. Accepting cards can be hardest because it will cost you money, but it may bring you a lot more customers. Here's my suggestion: If you can't afford to take credit cards when you're starting out, at least take checks and cash and then see how things go. If you get a lot of people asking about credit cards then it's probably worth setting up this service.

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Peggy Adamik is a former RN and massage therapist who's been practicing Reiki for nine years - the last four as a Reiki Master.