starting a business- how to price my services

Nancy2 · Jul 19, 2005

LOcated in wisconsin. starting a business providing foot care to elderly clients. focus will be ongoing to senior centers & assisted living apt.complexes. I have a pretty clear idea of what prevailing prices are locally for a package of foot care services I will provide. However,the manager at one apartment building is asking if I will just do blood pressures for some of their residents. I have no idea how much to charge for taking someone's blood pressure. ONe question I have asked myself is whether I should charge at all. On the other hand I know my time & servcices have value, & I do need the income. What fee might b ereasonable? I suppose I need to ask myself how many people would just want a bp. If there were a large number, might that distract/ disrupt from the higher value foot care work. Am I making sense? I feel uncomfortable asking about this.probably should get over it if I'm going to be successful in business. I'd appreciate anyone's advice on both how to think like a nurse entrepeneur, & how much to charge for a bp.

You might do some area market research. Is anyone else in the surrounding area provide this ervice and what do they charge?

You could set up in a certain area for a couple of hours a week and charge the facility a fee and they can decide to pass it along to the residents or not.

Your time is valuable and you need to respect that, but sometimes providing an "extra" service is good marketing. It's hard to judge from here.

GOOD LUCK!

angeldust · Jul 20, 2005

Hi! That's a good business concept you're doing. A good start would be to ask around how much BP taking would cost in your area so your pricing would be reasonable and likewise competitive. I understand that foot care is your area of specialty if we call it that way. Well, you can add that services in your foot care charging your clients at a lesser fee than those who would avail of BP taking services only. Or you can add it up as free service for those who avail foot care. It is to your discretion really. That way too, it is like a come on for your clients. Sort of an extra mile to earn their loyalty. True, it may be a bit uncomfortable since you are still starting out but once you get a baseline of patients/clients I am sure things will be pretty OK for you later on. Let's put it this way, it is still a business the only thing that differs is that you have to put compassion and TLC to your clients. Good luck!!!

LOcated in wisconsin. starting a business providing foot care to elderly clients. focus will be ongoing to senior centers & assisted living apt.complexes. I have a pretty clear idea of what prevailing prices are locally for a package of foot care services I will provide. However,the manager at one apartment building is asking if I will just do blood pressures for some of their residents. I have no idea how much to charge for taking someone's blood pressure. ONe question I have asked myself is whether I should charge at all. On the other hand I know my time & servcices have value, & I do need the income. What fee might b ereasonable? I suppose I need to ask myself how many people would just want a bp. If there were a large number, might that distract/ disrupt from the higher value foot care work. Am I making sense? I feel uncomfortable asking about this.probably should get over it if I'm going to be successful in business. I'd appreciate anyone's advice on both how to think like a nurse entrepeneur, & how much to charge for a bp.

vstar1rn · Dec 3, 2005

I too am looking to start my own business in providing footcare to the elderly. Right now I'm in the process of becoming certified as a Certified Foot Care Nurse. I feel this will help me as for as credentials and getting referrals. If you are not already certified and want more info let me know. If you have had any progress, I would like to hear about it. I don't know of anyone else in my area tha's doing this. This website is an invaluable tool. Good luck :)