How to make it as an… on-demand therapist

1. Embrace the flexibility

“I joined London-based on-demand treatment app Le Salon as a mobile therapist in March 2014 because I needed lexibility with my working hours. At the time, I had a young son and this made it hard to stick to the strict hours of a traditional salon, working 40-plus hours a week. I needed more freedom.

“Since joining, I’ve been promoted to training and professionals manager, where I work at head office one day a week training other therapists, known as Salonettes, in the Le Salon way. My other working days are with clients and these vary week to week because I tailor appointments to what I’ve got going on. Recently, I worked two days one week and then six the following – you can work as much or as little as you like.”

2. Juggle your time wisely

“When going it alone as a mobile therapist it can take time to build up your clientele, whereas if you join an on-demand app you get access to an instant list of customers. It takes around three to four weeks to fInd your rhythm – which area you want to be based in and the hours you want to work – but then you settle into more of a routine. Plus, after three months you begin to get regulars because clients start rebooking you.

“There are also a lot of corporate bookings in this business – where companies book you in for a half or full day of treatments – which gfives you more structure. I have one corporate client who books me every other Friday and another that I see once a week. Otherwise, the biggest demand for appointments by clients is out of office hours, so bear that in mind.”

3. Keep an eye on your outgoings

“In my experience, working for an on-demand treatment company pays a better salary – seeing two clients through the app equals, on average, the same amount of money I used to earn working eight hours in a salon. The other benefits are that you work for yourself and the admin side is taken care of – you just load your available times up to the system.

“Plus, if a client cancels last minute, you still get paid because the app has a policy of making customers pre-pay for services. This is different to a salon where a client can make the appointment but cancel at the last minute, leaving you with nothing.

“However, topping up petrol and replenishing products will be your biggest monthly outgoings, and you need to juggle your bookings so you have a good work-life balance – don’t accept one client at 8am and then another at 8pm, for example; try to group them together. It’s all too easy to work too much.”

4. Treat it as your own business

“This role requires a certain level of conidence, not only so you can guide the client through the service but also so you’re able to sell yourself to get those crucial rebookings.

Even though you’re working for an app, you need to think of it as your business, because if you don’t do a great job then it’s only going to affect you.

“When working mobile, safety is also important. Le Salon’s app requires all therapists to check in when they arrfive at a client’s house and check out when they leave, so we know where they are and at what time. Therapists should feel secure when performing the job”.