What has impressed you entering a new business? Need budget ideas, please!

[rnorwo1]

Hi,
I am opening a new business (mental health services); I'll be leasing out other offices to additional providers, and I want to make it a place where good providers will want to see their clients, which will help me keep it filled with renters. So, I've been trying to think of little extras that I can do so that our office stands out a bit from the rest for clients, but I don't want to be spending so much money that it's negating any potential profit (or even the break-even point!). It's an old, 85-year old bungalow that we are restoring, so the building itself is beautiful. All I can think of is to have fresh flowers (which can get expensive, so I may have to step up my game with my flower garden) and a small beverage station... I have a small keurig, which is perfect so that clients can have some individualized choices, but I think the pods are pricey? I don't drink coffee, so I'm not sure. I could also put out small water bottles.

Any other ideas? When we closed on this property a few months ago, the title company had baskets everywhere with full size candy bars, a self- serve fridge with all sorts of sodas and waters, etc. DH and I were so impressed, and I want to have the same effect, but in a cheaper and healthier way!
Thanks for any ideas!

 

[ariel71]

To me, it's not about snacks or a drink. In a waiting area, I like decent current magazines, comfortable chairs that provide a little bit of privacy in their set up. Hand sanitizer and kleenex. I would look into flowering plants over cut flowers - much cheaper and less work. The thing with coffee (which I'm not denying can be a pleasant plus) is that you also have to provide creamer, sugar, sugar substitute, stir straws, cups, kcups or pods, and be checking the reservoir on a regular basis. It just might not be worth the trouble unless you are trying to position yourself as a higher-end facility. Water might be useful, but that could be an individual stand vs a fridge for individual bottles. As long as it's a welcoming environment, my key driver is knowing how long I'll be waiting. Some available plugs to recharge electronics if necessary.

Sitting in an area surrounded by plants would be unique and relaxing, if it's done in a classy way like bringing a garden indoors. I personally would respond much better to that than a basket of snacks. I guess it really depends on your clientele and their expectations.

 

[rnorwo1]

The plants are a good idea, much more feasible than cut flowers each week. I thought last night about a table top fountain, too, which will also help with noise.

As for my vision, I do want it to be a very welcoming, homey environment. One of the other practitioners and I are the only ones within a two hour radius who see very young children, so they're kind of "stuck" with us if they need services. And, in general, I think clients will be satisfied as long as their therapist/physician is good. But, as I am going to start to advertise to lease the other offices, they will likely be filled with practitioners who aren't as specialized and may need to compete for clients. I just want to make sure they feel that the office is worth their rent. I'm charging the norm for the newer, nicer buildings in the area; but, they always have the choice to stick with cheaper, outdated buildings, so I want this to stand out a bit, if that makes sense. So, I'm just trying to make it a nice, unique place without it costing me much.

Thanks for any tips!

 

[MommaBerd]

If you plan to only be a child and adolescent office, a nice touch (over time) could be to frame the children's artwork. We have seen child psychologists, and that is always cheerful and, I think, comforting to kids to know they are not alone AND that it isn't a "scary" or dull place. Also, some children's books/toys/crayons/paper for siblings who may have to tag along - even if it's just tucked away in a little corner. I have seen that in a mixed ages (child-adult) waiting room. Soft lighting, peaceful music playing, warm colors, maybe even a *small* (tabletop) water feature, comfy seating. To me, in a mental health services environment, I want to feel warm and safe and relaxed - I don't necessarily need to be impressed.

 

[crisi]

As someone who has spent some time in the lobbies of therapists.

Don't put out snacks and coffee - a water cooler is nice, maybe one with hot water and some herbal teas. Some of my therapists haven't wanted me to consume caffeine due to anxiety - I don't need the temptation at a therapist office. Same with snacks - even healthy snacks are going to provide a temptation to someone dealing with eating disorders.

You want non stressful magazines or coffee table books. A place - hopefully in a separate room - where parents with kids can wait with quiet toys. Soft instrumental music. Plants (an orchid will flower for months). Not a lot of clutter. Think a space where people can practice mindful meditation - because that's what a lot of your clients are going to be doing while waiting for their appointment.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I used to go to a therapist regularly, many years ago. The actual building was not really anything special, just an office building. But I liked therapist's office because they had transformed the space. The waiting room had really comfortable chairs- not waiting room chairs, but living room chairs. It made it feel very homey and welcoming. They also used soft, neutral colors but not stark white. It was a really nice experience and I actually looked forward to my appointments, not just for the environment, but also because I felt my therapist was genuinely helping me.

Definitely don't put a TV in the waiting area. I always hate having to listen to crappy TV shows when I sit in waiting rooms.

I agree with not having junk food. I think bottled water in a glass front mini fridge would be nice. Even some fresh fruit like apples and bananas if you really want to provide some food. You want to project that you care about people's health, both mental and physical (since they are intrinsically linked).

 

[Sandi]

Tropical fish tank. They are a little bit of work, but very calming.
Mostly I want someplace that is very clean, looks modern and well maintained, and is comfortable. If you can provide wifi, that would be a big plus to me.

 

[Sadie22]

Clearly mark each office within the building. Mark the restroom and make sure it is kept clean and stocked. Otherwise plain and simple. No coffee, no food, no flowers. Nothing throwable.

 

[Eureka]

Clean, hand sanitzer and a water cooler (you know, the ones that you put the huge bottle of water on?) sounds good to me. Warm colored walls with minimal artwork to keep it looking homey and calming but not cluttered. If you see small children, you will need some toys in the waiting area. Bright colored plastic to catch the eye but that's also easy to sanitize.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I like the PP idea of fish you could have a gold fish in a bowl even for low maintenance. Some simple toys for the children nice wooden type ones. I like a chalkboard where you could write today's thought on it. Also what doctor/person is in each room. A chalk board is more in keeping with your pretty cottage.

How about some photos framed of before , during and after the cottage makeover? A history of the place?

Some herbal teas rather than coffee?

 

[Livvie]

I like comfortable places to sit, current, varied magazines, cold water available, warm tone colored walls, and lamps. If possible, turn off the awful overhead lighting.

 

[ariel71]

If there will be a lot of small children, that really changes the picture. Even well-behaved children can have a problem with sitting still/quietly, unless they're engrossed in an electronic device or the like, and we're possibly talking about children who might have behavioral issues. I imagine it could also mean that a parent might occasionally have other children with them? I'm not sure if you see the children alone or with a parent. That can be a problem if you want a welcoming/calm waiting area. One child, or even two, might not be that distracting, but get more than that and it turns into a playroom.

If you think that you'll have a mix of both children and adults in the area at one time, I'd definitely consider trying to keep two separate areas if possible. I'm not being a curmudgeon; I absolutely think that if your practice has a lot of children, the waiting area needs to accommodate that. Unfortunately, that might also be in direct conflict with what other therapists (who you're trying to attract) and adult patients would like.

 

[scrapquitler]

Hi,
I am opening a new business (mental health services); I'll be leasing out other offices to additional providers, and I want to make it a place where good providers will want to see their clients, which will help me keep it filled with renters. So, I've been trying to think of little extras that I can do so that our office stands out a bit from the rest for clients, but I don't want to be spending so much money that it's negating any potential profit (or even the break-even point!). It's an old, 85-year old bungalow that we are restoring, so the building itself is beautiful. All I can think of is to have fresh flowers (which can get expensive, so I may have to step up my game with my flower garden) and a small beverage station... I have a small keurig, which is perfect so that clients can have some individualized choices, but I think the pods are pricey? I don't drink coffee, so I'm not sure. I could also put out small water bottles.

Any other ideas? When we closed on this property a few months ago, the title company had baskets everywhere with full size candy bars, a self- serve fridge with all sorts of sodas and waters, etc. DH and I were so impressed, and I want to have the same effect, but in a cheaper and healthier way!
Thanks for any ideas!

make sure it smells good, and by that I don't mean a bunch of air fresheners, I mean open the windows to get fresh air in there so that there isn't a musty old air smell.

I'd go with green plants (varieties that require minimal care) rather than fresh flowers.

I'd skip the beverages and snacks, except maybe I'd have one of those 5 gallon water dispenser things.

I'd keep some magazines around, more current ones and not just old professional ones. Maybe a couple of kids books or toys if there are clients with kids.

And comfortable places to sit.

I also like when there's some quiet music playing rather than just silence, or maybe a white noise machine

 

[MomToOne]

Clean waiting area, painted in a non-white color (I like deeper neutrals instead of pastels, but that might just be me). Walls are in good shape, don't show a bunch of nicks and dings - keep touch up paint on hand! Furniture matches/coordinates, is comfortable, is clean/not dingy/isn't torn and looks like it was bought with the space and clients in mind, not just grabbed at a garage sale because it was cheap. Nice, appropriately sized artwork on the walls - not just one tiny picture on a big wall. And be sure to hang the artwork at the correct height (many people hang artwork too high). Space nicely filled, but not over-cluttered. Floors, whatever material they may be, are clean. No dust on the furniture, display items, picture frames, etc.

I honestly couldn't care less about drinks, snacks or flowers if all of the above is true.

Since you are treating kids, a play area for them would be nice, but only if you will be able to take the time to clean the toys regularly to prevent the spread of germs (not an easy task). My dentist treats lots of kids, and doesn't bother - he has a few kids magazines, and one or two toys kicking around the standard waiting room. I like the idea a PP had about coloring supplies.

And since you mentioned it was an 85 year old bungalow - make sure there is plenty of parking available at all times, and that it is easy to get in and out of. I avoid providers where I have to struggle to find parking, or where the act of parking is a chore (spaces are too tight, awkward to get in and out of, etc). This can be a real challenge in neighborhoods where this type of building exists. My old doctor's office was in such a neighborhood - and I would inevitably forget quarters for the parking meters, when I even found a spot. Making an appointment led to complete dread on that level, I was thrilled when they closed the office. If they hadn't of done that, after a couple of years of battling it, I was on the verge of changing providers.

Also, this may seem like an odd comment, but one of the best things you can do is to minimize the amount of time people spend sitting in the waiting room. I am much less likely to notice anything about it if you don't leave me waiting for 20 minutes after my scheduled appointment time!! I know you can't control this with the other providers, but at least you can do this for your own clients.

 

[rnorwo1]

Wow, thank you all so much for your thoughtful and detailed responses! I've written a list of all the things that I think will be nice additions.

The home is on a very large lot, a serene setting with large, Live Oak trees, the kind that the limbs sweep the ground. So, we will likely have the blinds open to let in natural light; and, I was adamant, despite our contractor's insistence, that there would be no ugly fluorescents! They make my eyes water, ugh!

Unless clients are very early, they *shouldn't* be waiting long at all; I start my sessions on the minute, but, like you said, who knows about some of the other clinicians. I do have a nook for kids with a train table, art supplies, books, and a few quiet toys that I plan to swap around frequently. I did not think about siblings who may be out there for an hour, though. I do have two smaller rooms that may work for a separate children's waiting room, so I'll think about that. There will definitely be no tv, I am always recommending less tv time for young kids! I am also always recommending good nutrition, so that was my major hesitance with offering snacks (as well as the cost and potential mess in the waiting room). I will definitely put water and tea bags out; I can still put the keurig there for them to heat their water for the tea. And I'll start looking for appropriate magazine subscriptions and coffee-table type books for adults.

I also like the idea of the fish tank; I know my kids love aquariums in offices. I'll have to do some research re: the cost and maintenance. We will have white noise machines outside of each office for additional privacy, but maybe a water fountain or aquarium will have the same effect for the waiting room. I love the idea of the before and after photos of the house as artwork! The building has undergone such a transformation, and we did get pictures before starting the renovations.

We had to change some walls to make it ADA compliant, so I have some extra windows that we salvaged. I was planning on hanging one (they're beautiful antiques) in the waiting room and using it kind of like a dry erase board for notes or something; I can include the wi-fi password on that, great idea! I will definitely put hand sanitizer out, I had not thought of that, either. The walls will be a very pretty gray with slightly off white trim; we have black parsons chairs that (I think) are comfortable and easily cleaned, and a few upholstered arm chairs with coordinating prints. I've been buying these things for a few months now as I came across really good sales, but I think they're all very pretty and not cheap looking at all. And, the floors are the original pine, so they'll be easily cleaned. I love the idea of the signs identifying offices! I jumped on Pinterest and found the cutest antiqued signs that they had hung above the doors with ornate, iron brackets.

I appreciate you all reassuring me of what really matters here! I doubt that the renters are going to expect a lot, but I really want to attract good clinicians, and the ones I want are all renting at cheaper (and less-nice) places, but they're still interested in joining me for various reasons. So, I need to keep what's important in mind and not spend more money and time. This is just the first time DH and I have been on the hook for this much money, and it's anxiety-provoking!
Thanks again for all the great responses, each one was very helpful!

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Congrats on the business launch.

Since you mentioned putting the Keurig out, just an FYI, when I was finishing construction for our healthcare facility, the inspector wanted to be sure the Keurig had a plumbed water line with backflow preventer. If you've not received final occupancy yet, I'd hold on this item until after that.

 

[rnorwo1]

Oh goodness, thank you so much! We have had such a nightmare with just getting permits, not that there was a problem with anything, but just getting them, to do the renovations. I definitely don't want to add anything to slow final inspections!!

 

[verleniahall]

I am the Office Manager for our Chamber - make sure to get connected there as well - here, new businesses get 1 free year of membership for their business. Some chambers have "chamber embassadors" that will work with you as well. They will have some great ideas for what works for businesses in the area that are similar to yours

Good Luck!

 

[cab5525]

Lighting! No harsh overhead fluorescent lights. Maybe add some lamps.

 

[miksilver]

I know this one might seem obvious, but I've been in plenty of waiting rooms where there wasn't one, don't forget to have a small trash can in the waiting area somewhere. It can be so awkward to have tissues or mints with wrappers out or finish a cup of water and then you don't find a trash can.

And be careful with art supplies, children and a waiting area. Before you know it your walls and chairs and everything else will be "decorated".