Constructive Feedback Requested

[spiralngphoenix]

I’ve been pondering a thought. It’s a thought that has flaws and holes and a huge number of other things wrong with it, but it’s still a thought. With my knee being crap at the moment (for whatever reason. No, I don’t know what’s wrong. Yes, I’m applying for state assisted health insurance. No, it’s non-negotiable of doing anything other than what I’m able to do in the meantime, unless someone else is paying for the gods only know what the hell cost it’s going to involve to get it looked at without insurance) I am unable to do any kind of table massage and probably shouldn’t even be trying to do chair massage until I can get a diagnoses of sorts. I can, however, do seated work.

What can I do seated? I can do hands/arms and foot/ankle best, and also head/face/neck. The last one, I do need to use the table for, but the first two I can do with a couple of chairs.

My first question is would there be any interest in this sort of thing? The second, what would people be willing to pay and for how long? I can do any of them for about as long as people want, but I’m not sure what the average time frame folks might be interested in would be (I know for myself, I could happily let someone massage my hands for HOURS). The main sticking point after that is where? I no longer have an office space, Pepperell is a bit of a haul for the Known World (not to mention the whole “not wanting to have folks traipsing all over my housemate’s house" idea), and this sort of strikes me as the sort of thing to do en masse instead of by appointment. Like, “Hey, we’re having a pot luck and Melissa’s setting up to do some massage work” or “Booth at the craft fair” sort of thing. I could be wrong, I have been before.

Input/suggestions to Make It Go needed. Please keep in mind that I’m looking for practical things I can do NOW, not later on down the road when I have money/location/healed knee. The above idea, or something similar, is more or less what I am Trying To Make Go.

Comments

[reversepolarity.livejournal.com]

It seems like a reasonable enough idea from where I'm sitting. I've seen people charge, like, ten bucks for ten minutes or whatnot (I have no idea what reasonable rates are, but I know I've seen that one) sitting in, say, the Science Center at Harvard, where there are certain to be stressed people who wouldn't mind the ten-minute break from studying. It seems like if you can go where the people are gathering and say "hey, stress relief, right here!", people will say "yes" just because they need that stuff.

Just my two copper, and of course this is all just conjecture because I don't know what I'm talking about most of the time. :D

Good luck! :-)

[spiralngphoenix.livejournal.com]

Hmm. If I can get hold of the correct people, popping down that way once a week or something might be a workable thing...

[cointeach.livejournal.com]

I've seen people set up chairs and do "$1 per minute" - let people choose what they want to pay, in terms of "Oh, I have a $5, let's do that!"

Dunno, mang. I think we should set you up at MA LARPs, but that's just me. ;)

[rellik-canard.livejournal.com]

The problem with that is letting people know. She can't announce it on the group listing because that's violating the TOS of the group.

[spiralngphoenix.livejournal.com]

There's a number of logistic issues with setting me up at the LARP's...namely flying it past owners/staff, IG reasons for my presence, getting word out, and reimbursement... If there's a way around all that, I'm more than willing. :)

Hrm.

[cointeach.livejournal.com]

Well, I AM throwing a non-staff-sponsored IG party for 7V, in MA, on a privately-owned location... coming up with an IG reason for you to be there will take a small amount of thought, but it at least bypasses the LARP issue initially?

wgptrey's faire suggestion is probably the best thus far; that, plus we getting you set up with a doctor appointment/MA insurance in the meantime, since most of said faires are some weeks/months out. *hugs*

[beths3.livejournal.com]

I second the setting up at larps. $1 per minute is what I have seen at different places as well.

[wgptrey.livejournal.com]

On the setting up at craft fairs model - yes. I've seen (and booked) hand/neck/foot massages at conventions and it's always gone over well with the patrons.

Consider booking yourself at geekier fairs and events as well, like Arisia, Klockwerq, Renn Faires, the Fetish Flea, etc.

[spiralngphoenix.livejournal.com]

That stuff is precisely why I'd wanted to get myself situated for doing chair work. Not sure how the current incarnation would go at them? It's worth looking into, though. :)

[salda007.livejournal.com]

Heehee, at the Flea, you'll have competition from, ummm, shall we say "dedicated enthusiasts" for foot massage/etc. Not to say you shouldn't look into it, though!

Hmmm... on that front, though, a friend of mine is fairly big into Boston-area craft fairs; would you like me to pass her your contact information?

[spiralngphoenix.livejournal.com]

Sure! Why not? :)

[salda007.livejournal.com]

Ok, I'll pass her your riversway address. ^_~

[spiralngphoenix.livejournal.com]

Cool. Thanks! :)

[girliegoalie.livejournal.com]

Hand or feet = reflexology which if done right are around 45 mins

Face area = facials

neck work can easily be the entire session, especially with someone recovering from whiplash.

[spiralngphoenix.livejournal.com]

Heh...too bad I didn't sign up for the Intro to Reflexology CE class, instead of the Intro to Shiatsu next month... ;)

[copperbeech.livejournal.com]

My SO went to a chick a few years ago who did her entire session on a balance ball. People do it.
{{you}}

[spiralngphoenix.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I'm coordinated enough to attempt that without plunging to my doom, but it's probably something I may want to look into learning how to do, seeing as knee issues have plagued me for the last twenty years, and really just don't seem to want to let up! I have no idea how one would do that, but will now look into the possibility. :)