Job Responsibilities
I am self-employed so have the added responsibility of 'running
the business'. I normally spend 1 full-day and 4 half-days
practising at my clinic (this involves massage and/or advising
clients on the use of essential oils for health), and the
resulting paperwork takes up approximately another 1/2-day
(writing up client notes, ordering/receiving supplies,
advertising etc). I am able to visit clients in their own home
if necessary, but prefer to do this only for those who are
disabled. My client-base is 99% women and children, I only work
with men I know well and am comfortable with. I sell oils and
other safe home-care products. I also do my own
washing/cleaning daily.
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Job Requirements
33 units to complete over 18 months full-time study by
correspondence with compulsory workshop attendance. Tutors are
accessible by email/phone, and very willing to guide students
and share knowledge. The college is registered with NZQA so the
Diploma is a nationally recognised one. The workshops I
attended were small so each student received all the help they
required. We were able to contact the college easily and always
had a clear picture of progress. Questions were answered
promptly and fully. I fitted in my studies around all the other
things in my life and finished each term on time, although
sometimes this took more discipline and focus than at others.
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Uppers
Helping people to feel great; using products that smell and feel wonderful and
have a powerful effect on mood and general health; meeting lots of different
people; having clients return and bring friends.
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Downers
Haven't found any so far! You have to be careful that people
realise this is relaxation massage only, NOT sexual.
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Lifestyle
This can be as relaxed or busy as I want to make it. Work hours do sometimes
need to be a bit flexible (ie working at night/weekends), but again that is my
choice. I set my own rules but if I was working for some-one else I would
obviously have to comply with their rules regarding work hours, dress code etc. I
have joined a professional organisation that gives me the opportunity to travel
to conferences/seminars etc, as well as being able to interact with other people
in the field.
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Compensation
Working for myself that's a bit of a joke at the moment! I
worked out a business plan so the bank would lend me the money
to start up. I make enough at this point to pay the rent, buy
oils, advertise, make loan repayments, and not much else!
Luckily my husband makes enough to support both of us until the
business is more profitable. I could work longer hours but have
to be careful that the quality of my care doesn't deteriorate -
if all goes to plan I will have the loan repaid within a certain
time and be actually supporting myself - then I could take a
holiday!
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Advice to Jobseekers
See if you can work with an established clinic first, especially
if you are a younger person. Establish a wide group of support
people, relations, friends, co-workers, and others professionals
in the field. It would help if you didn't have to borrow money
to start, but realistically that doesn't usually happen so get
good business advice and follow it! As more people want to take
care of their own health, Aromatherapy can and will develop into
a very powerful tool, so you need to be well trained and keep up-
to-date with new practices.
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