Lock front door or not?
I am an esthetician opening up my own space. I am excited, but also nervous and confused about several things. One of my main concerns is the front door. I have two treatment rooms (one for myself and another for massage therapist) and a reception area that has retail products. Obviously, I cannot have a receptionist at the beginning and I am afraid that is going to hurt me. I feel it is necessary to lock the front door while we are with clients. I am putting "By Appointments Only" on the door, in order to clarify why the door is locked. I hope clients understand because I feel that is best solution. I know some people will get upset, but I feel it is a "double edged sword"!! Anyone else had this scenario, if so, please give me some advice!!!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sheila Gordon on
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Are your treatment rooms separated by a locking door from the reception area by chance? The new placve I am moving is like this so she just locks that door and leaves her sitting area open for clients that may come early. If you could, maybe move your retail next to your treatment rooms so there isn't anything of value in there. If this isn't the case, then I think clients would understand a note on the door, treatment in progress, be back at this time or just let your clients know that the door is usually locked. Are you near anything else to where if they do come early they could shop other places until you are ready for them? Maybe another idea would be to not book clients back to back. Maybe give at least 30 minutes between so likely you will not have a problem. Good luck. Would love to see your space.
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Permalink Reply by Shelley Hancock on
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I live in a pretty safe little sleepy town but still...you never know! So, we always lock our front door. We have a door bell and if they arrive a bit early I'll hear the door bell and step out to let them in. Clients know about this and don't arrive early. Most of my clients are female and they appreciate that we are safe, they've never gotten upset about a locked door!
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Permalink Reply by Carrie Patrick on
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Instead of the "by appointments only" sign when you lock the door, maybe you could get one of those clock signs where you can move the hands to the time when you'll be done with your current client, and put that on the door along with a sign saying you are with a client now. I think that would sound more welcoming and it also lets walk-in clients know that you're there today and maybe they just need to come back in ten minutes (or whenever). There are a lot of different variations of the clock sign available and I think most office supply stores have them, or just Google "will return clock sign" or "back at clock sign."
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Permalink Reply by Jodi on
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When I'm alone in the spa I work at, especially after dark, I lock the door. Our retail area is right in the waiting room and I like knowing when I'm in a treatment room, that no one without a key can just walk in.
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Permalink Reply by Cindy Greenwood on
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Yes - I was set up the exact same way at my last location. I think a lot of solo practitioners do that.
I put "by appt only" on the website and that we did not have a receptionist.
When we were in session we just put a sign on the door that we were in the treatment room...you could also add one of those clock displays that will show what time you will be finished.
We had to schedule enough time between appts to take care of any phone messages and to check out clients, clean up time, etc.
You just need to make sure that people are aware of this so that they just dont stop by to see you or to buy product or gift certs.
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Permalink Reply by Tiffany Carmona on
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I'm in the same boat. I have my own space and I don't have a receptionist during the week. I keep the door locked during the evening time and I usually leave the door unlocked if I have back to back clients but I let them know when they book. My clients are mainly happy that my studio is private. Especially the men who are getting waxed. I just make sure to tell my hubby when I'm at the studio or leaving that way someone knows what's going. Talk to someone you trust. See if they can help you out and maybe trade them services. I use my mom and my sister on the weekends to help me out. they can greet my clients, take payments and attend to my clients while I am with my clients. I pay them with love!!! xoxo good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Colette Fontana on
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I have a small day spa with three rooms and no full time receptionist also. I do not lock my door when I am with a client, but have a motion sensor that chimes anytime someone walks in, which allows me to poke my head out from the treatment room and tell the walk-in that I am busy and either come back later or have a seat and wait. This allows UPS and other deliveries to be able to come in and leave packages also. I have my expensive products locked up in a cabinet to prevent any temptations. I do lock my front door after dark or if I am working on the last appointment of the day. It is very annoying to a client to arrive early and find the door locked. I try and tell my clients not to come more than 10 minutes before their appointment time, but routinely I have people show up 20-30 minutes or more before the appointment ( we are in a tourist area and lots of our clients are from out of town and give themselves extra time in case they get lost, so arrive early often)
Another suggestion if keeping door unlocked is to put a fake camera in the lobby so that walk-ins think they are being monitored (much cheaper than an actual surveillance system but just as effective)
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Permalink Reply by Amy Lynn Scheele on
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im not sure if you treatment room allows, but my retail is in a locked cabinet in my room. if you need or want them in seating / receotion area invest in a pretty display case with a good lock. or put item behind reception desk, and add a locked door into reception area. i like the idea of having a sign saying that you are in session, please come back at such time. it give the place some exclusive quality which may be alluring for clientele... i guess it could work both ways.
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Permalink Reply by Bill W. on
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I have this exact problem....what did with my retail products in the lobby is I placed empty product boxes on display. This solved my issue with possibly "sticky fingers" I hope this help and good luck to you.
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I like that idea. That way, people can still look at ingredients and the info on the packaging and so on.
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