Find the perfect practice space to save time and money
All bodyworkers, therapists, coaches and psychologists have one goal in common: providing excellent care for their clients. This requires a space that aligns with your core values and expectations of the perfect space while also fitting the budget. Finding the ideal space can be daunting whether you’re starting or advancing to the next stage with your business. What if we told you you could save time and money while finding the perfect space for you and your client? Let us help you out with a practical guide!
The biggest time saver
Let’s tackle the first challenge: finding the time to do all the research to find the perfect space. Many therapists and coaches have a family, a day job and are also starting or further developing their businesses. Finding and renting spaces confronts you with navigating the complexities of lease agreements and scouring numerous listings for available rooms. The process can be overwhelming, so it’s time to get structured.
Must-do: set clear criteria
You also fell into this trap: just dive into research without setting a goal and clear criteria for space requirements. You can imagine this is not productive. The best way forward is to set clear criteria for what you want. When you have a list of criteria, selecting and filtering the truly interesting spaces becomes easier. Let’s give an example of six criteria that should be on your list:
Location: is an obvious suggestion for a reason! The area should be your priority. Where do you want to locate, and where is your target audience? Are they willing to travel to get to your new space, or should it be in a central location for your clients to even consider your practice? Is there parking, and is it accessible via public transport?
Ambience and atmosphere: Before considering anything else, the ambience and atmosphere of the space you rent should be essential. This is the place where you will receive your clients. They need to feel safe enough to share their stories with you. Everything should be perfect. Look for natural light, comfortable furnishings, a calming aesthetic, and even how the place smells. If you are a bodyworker, consider whether the right high-quality equipment is in place for you to do your work.
Privacy and confidentiality: prioritise spaces that offer adequate privacy and confidentiality to maintain the confidentiality of your sessions. Consider factors such as soundproofing, secure entry systems, and the building layout to minimise disruptions and ensure client confidentiality. It might surprise you, but many spaces offer fancy rooms with glass walls, which is not the right setting for your client to feel safe and private.
Accessibility for you and your client: Ensure the space is accessible and inclusive for all clients, including those with mobility challenges or disabilities. Consider features such as wheelchair accessibility, accessible restroom facilities, and inclusive design principles to create a welcoming environment for everyone.
Budget and cost: Evaluate the cost of renting the space and ensure it aligns with your budget and financial goals. Thoroughly check what you’re getting for the price. Does the place offer any additional extras that might be useful later on? Think about events, masterclasses, and co-working spaces for when you do not have clients but still need a workplace.
Membership options: Do the membership options allow for flexibility, and does the place offer options tailored to your needs? Look for membership options that align with your business's current stage. Also, check for an option to buy extra hours when needed.
Write down any additional criteria and start looking for the space with this list in mind. It will save you much time compared to randomly searching for the perfect fit. Now that you have the list ready, let's talk about money.
Consider this about cost
When finding a suitable space as a therapist, coach, or bodyworker, finding the space that fits your budget is crucial. Renting practice space involves various financial considerations, including the membership fee and what you get in return. What helps is to know that investing time and resources into finding a suitable space can lead to significant cost savings in the long run:
Membership vs. renting: When finding a suitable space for your practice, one consideration could be renting your own space or building. This brings another set of challenges, such as maintenance, long contracts, and reduced flexibility. You’re also paying for the space when you’re not using it. One thing to consider is choosing a company, such as Stories, that offers memberships in well-designed, beautiful, relaxing spaces that align with you and your client.
Client retention: a well-designed and comfortable space can contribute to a positive client experience, increasing client satisfaction and retention. Happy clients are more likely to return for additional sessions and recommend the practitioner to others, thereby reducing the need for marketing expenses to attract new clients.
Efficiency: the suitable space can also contribute to operational efficiency, allowing practitioners to streamline their workflow and maximise productivity. Finding a space that provides great coffee, a nice lunch, clean rooms, and a co-working space while enabling you to contact other professionals gives you headspace. All you have to do is focus on doing what you do best: taking care of your client. This results in efficiency, which pays off in the long run.
Finding a suitable space with the correct membership saves you time and headaches and potentially provides extra benefits. Talking about that, feel free to take a look at our memberships! Did you know our memberships include access to Stories Club co-working, WiFi, delicious coffee, and member events?
Putting it all together
Our actionable guide should help you determine what priorities to focus on when saving time: set clear criteria, and feel free to be rigorous once you have this list. The space you’re going for must be all you want it to be, so don’t settle for less for you and your client. When it comes to the cost-benefit analysis, consider at what point of your entrepreneurship journey you are, how much you are willing to spend, and what your future practice space offers to save costs in other aspects of your business. We wish for you to find a space that’s not only a physical space but also a partner in growth that allows you to excel and focus on what you love doing.
One suggestion for your consideration list
Talking to many therapists, coaches, bodyworkers and psychologists, we thoroughly feel your frustrations and challenges. That’s precisely the reason why we created Stories. At Stories, we provide inspiring and co-working spaces with everything you need. Including flexible memberships, beautifully designed rooms with therapeutic seating, rooms with massage tables and Our Stories Club area, which serves as a co-working space where you can focus and connect with other professionals. This is what one of our valued members has to say about our concept:
“As a coach with a growing business, Stories offered exactly what I was looking for - the ability to work in a community area where I can build up my business and use the private room whenever I see a client. And being around people who work in the same branch inspires me.”
Experience it yourself
While you take care of other people, we take care of you. Are you interested in experiencing the amazing Stories' ambience and atmosphere yourself?
