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Have Arrogant / Stubborn LMT's Created the Market for Massage Franchises?
First off let me say that I honestly don't personally care what any other Therapist's charge, nor do I concern myself w/ how well or how much business someone else is generating.
I've been in Healthcare now for over 17yrs, and my view towards things tend to be a little different from the avg professional. I believe that any and all therapy no matter the modality should be available to everyone.
I've seen and heard from other LMT's over time that these Massage Franchises are hurting the profession, either by their reduced rates which arent' actually reduced at all, or by the volume of business they do on a daily basis.
I've often wondered when I travel to more rural areas why their local LMT's charge the National Avg w/ regards to basic rates, aren't things in more run down, poorer regions usually cheaper than lets say in the big cities?!
I relocated to a region a few years ago and got hammered by local LMT's for undercutting the local market, well as I told many of them what I charge is no one elses business, I was constantly referred to as the Massage Envy of my region. So I moved again a few months ago to a larger city and it's littered w/ those Massage Envy's so I took a job based on my curiosity to see what all the hub bub was about, and what their Therapists were like.
Folks there is a place and enough business for all of us to charge what ever it is we feel our time is worth.
These Massage Franchises simply came into being all beacuse IMHO, due to LMT"s not marketing themselves well, and not being available. We are in the "I want it and I want it now " era.
Fact is folks these franchises are no cheaper than the National avg, sure they have gimmicks to lure in the client, but it's the lack of availability and in ability to easily find a therapist that has allowed these franchises to flourish.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Philippa Dodson on
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One more point I would like to make about franchises: Before there were any Massage Envy in the DFW area I spoke to a franchise salesman about investing in one. I did not identify myself as an experienced MT...only as an investor. He was very dismissive of massage therapists and said they did not like to sell to MTs because they would not want to operate under their business model thinking it would be exploitative! The founder of Massage Envy formerly was in the health club biz in AZ. His idea to market massage in the membership mode is based on overselling memberships to a gym and hoping that people will pay up and then not use the facilities. The corporation sells franchises and the franchises sell memberships. That is how they make money. Using underpaid naive therapists is just a way to maximize profits. This is exactly what I was told by a Massage Envy franchise salesman! Anything you hear about "making massage affordable" or "bringing massage to the masses" is BS. From their own marketing to investors it is ONLY about making a profit.
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Permalink Reply by Gina A. Liccardo on
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On the contrary, I don't think these franchises have popularized or created an awareness of massage. It's not like people didn't know about massage; what I believe they have done though, is miseducate the public about the monetary worth of massage therapy and in turn bought out the schools and associations so that now the educators and associations are miseducating their students and members about what they are worth. When I have brought the issue up to certain educational institutions and associations and even younger massage therapists in the business, they spout out coined marketing franchise terminology like, "made massage affordable, allowing more people to receive the work". One has to wonder, why it is that any person I talk to doesn't even know about massage associations and their "find a therapist" referral. How come? For a very simply reason; the public has not been educated about it and the marketing hasn't been done by our associations. However, the associations will spend time, praising these francises in articles and accepting advertising from these franchises. If you open up any AMTA publication the first page you will see is a full page career ad for ME. Of course, you don't get paid 10 or 12 dollars and of course it is obsurd that any LMT should be paid so poorly even a beginner massage therapist. That's the point. It's sad that at the end of the day the schools and associations are willing to play into the smoke screen and pull the wool over the eyes of so many for a buck, but that is the reality.
Gordon J. Wallis said:Actually those franchises may have helped the profession by making massage more popular.. But what gets me is this. I'm a massage therapist. I'm an employee and make way more money then $10 or $12 or $15 an hour. And I fix people almost every day in one massage session what other types of health care prividers fail to fix even after weeks and months of their therapy. Yet they make ten times the money I make and drive BMWs.. lol I'm not complaining...But how do you think I would feel if someone offered me only $10 an hour. I made more then that as a student thirty years ago. Gosh in the 90s for ten years I worked in a Chiropractic office and made $127 an hour. Im not arguing with anyone.. Just commenting. I hear therapists working for $10 or $12 an hour.. I'm speachless. I know new therapists need to start somewhere. And maybe those are good places to start. But the true value of an experienced massage therapist is way beyond twelve bucks an hour. Check my comment on the FUTURE of MASSAGE thread.
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Permalink Reply by Maryshka on
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How many other health care professionals (MDs, PTs, OTs, Chiropractors, etc.) reduce their rates because of competition? If massage is a form of viable health care... and a skilled trade... why is massage so "devalued"?
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I agree. Just want to mention this petition that you might be interested in supporting http://www.change.org/petitions/the-massage-franchise-increase-payr...
We also have a private group that is addressing this issue on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/lmtsagainstthefranchise
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This blew my socks off...
http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2011/08/03/NY4...
Massage Envy, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the leading provider of therapeutic massage in the United States. The national franchise is dedicated to providing professional and affordable therapeutic massage and spa services to consumers with busy lifestyles at convenient times and locations. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy has more than 690 locations in 43 states and has experienced 25 percent year-over-year growth. In addition, the average unit volume for a Massage Envy is $1 million. The company was recently named a top AllBusiness (a D&B company) AllStar Franchise, and is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA). For more information, visit MassageEnvy.com.
Philippa Dodson said:One more point I would like to make about franchises: Before there were any Massage Envy in the DFW area I spoke to a franchise salesman about investing in one. I did not identify myself as an experienced MT...only as an investor. He was very dismissive of massage therapists and said they did not like to sell to MTs because they would not want to operate under their business model thinking it would be exploitative! The founder of Massage Envy formerly was in the health club biz in AZ. His idea to market massage in the membership mode is based on overselling memberships to a gym and hoping that people will pay up and then not use the facilities. The corporation sells franchises and the franchises sell memberships. That is how they make money. Using underpaid naive therapists is just a way to maximize profits. This is exactly what I was told by a Massage Envy franchise salesman! Anything you hear about "making massage affordable" or "bringing massage to the masses" is BS. From their own marketing to investors it is ONLY about making a profit.
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Is it conceivable that these franchises will whittle down MT rates to a current minimum wage rate of $7.25/$7.75 per massage all for their bottom line/investors?
I ask because I was considering blending my new career with a ME or other position. The MT franchise phenomena is disheartening.
This thread has been a true eye-opener.
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You see what ME has started, new franchises are following through with and paying even less. Most franchises only pay for the work you do as well. That is what people don't get once you devalue a service and the professional goes along with it and concedes with that rate; the bar will continue to be pushed as low as the professional with let it go. Many seasoned therapists have been forced to work for a franchise because they couldn't survive in a normal paying position. This corporate lowballing has had a devastating ripple effect on our industry. Believe me when I tell you that I had no idea how vast the franchise has come and how low the prices are going until I started researching it.
I also noticed the writer of this thread saying that he was most attacked by East Coast therapists. I might venture to guess that a lot of those LMTs were from NYS. In NYS, you need to have 1000 hours, an associates degree to practice massage. These therapists have paid double the amount for their education and that's why they are so heated. Imagine paying and spending that much time studying to be an LMT and being offered 10-17/hr. It's nothing short of disgraceful. Not including the cost to sit for the boards, pay for equipment, insurance, possible insurance for one's equipment, continuing education. It no longer pays to go to school to be come an LMT. At the end of the day, we need to take our power back and stand up for our profession.
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Please try to not work for a franchise. *It is truly only good for the corporation and owners. You will not be able to move later and take your clients with you because the clients will be loyal to the business, not you, and you will have to agree not to take any clients with you if you do leave. The franchises have already made it practically impossible for new therapists to get started. Can you support yourself on less than $100 a day? On a good day with 6 hours of massage at $17 an hour you'd make $102 minus taxes. Clients in discout massage establishments aren't the best tippers, either. I'd rather do 1 massage for $80 than 5 at $17 each. It is very sad what the franchise industry has done to an already tough profession..
Maryshka said:Is it conceivable that these franchises will whittle down MT rates to a current minimum wage rate of $7.25/$7.75 per massage all for their bottom line/investors?
I ask because I was considering blending my new career with a ME or other position. The MT franchise phenomena is disheartening.
This thread has been a true eye-opener.
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For me it isn';t about making more so I can buy more. It is about being compensated fairly for my skill and experience. A per4son working at most franchises with no ther income would qualify as being below the poverty line. I don't need to be wealthy. But I do need to make a middle class living.
Stefanie Adams said:Thank you for shattering my pre-conceived notions about you, Julie. I needed that! Darcy, you are so right. Without the client there is no money. That's why Chance is so correct about tailoring your prices to your particular clients' needs.
I have been mentoring MTs a while now, most of whom struggle in the business. I have never struggled a day financially (physically, mentally & emotionally a different story!!). I find that a focus on the following helps every single person I've mentored 1: meeting psychological needs with psychological solutions instead of material wealth, and 2: drastically reducing expenses.
The overwhelming majority of the folks I've mentored have kept prices the same or lowered them after achieving some degree of success with those two things. I find that high prices are not the answer to financial struggles. You end up in the same cycle of earn - spend too much - pay too many taxes - pay to fix the stuff you bought - earn some more to pay for it all. Most people do this in an attempt to meet psychological needs.
I would like to see more conversation on this instead of "how much do you charge".
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WHAT?!?!?!
A "normal paying position" does not generate enough income for a seasoned therapist so they are "forced" (feel free to divulge who is forcing them, I could use some slave labor during holiday season) to work for a franchise, which pays the worst in the industry?
I have never heard of anyone taking a job that pays less than their current job because their current job does not pay enough. How does that work?
Gina A. Liccardo said:Many seasoned therapists have been forced to work for a franchise because they couldn't survive in a normal paying position.
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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on
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I work in an up market spa. It cost more to get a massage where I work then the local franchises. We are still busy though.
Relax & Rejuvenate said:WHAT?!?!?!
A "normal paying position" does not generate enough income for a seasoned therapist so they are "forced" (feel free to divulge who is forcing them, I could use some slave labor during holiday season) to work for a franchise, which pays the worst in the industry?
I have never heard of anyone taking a job that pays less than their current job because their current job does not pay enough. How does that work?
Gina A. Liccardo said:Many seasoned therapists have been forced to work for a franchise because they couldn't survive in a normal paying position.
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I have seen it. It works that they take the job at the franchise and work longer hours to survive. Yes, they are forced to because they want to continue to do what they love and what they are skilled to do. Instead of working for 6 hours for $40/hr they work an 8 hour day for $20/hr. GET INFORMED. It's obvious that you aren't by your response. I have witnessed it personally. btw I commute two hours more a shift just to get paid what I am worth because I refuse to work for a franchise. Don't speak about something you obviously have no experience with or at least recognize that someone isn't just talking smack to b*tch. This is a reality that you need to look into before you make such uninformed statements.
Relax & Rejuvenate said:WHAT?!?!?!
A "normal paying position" does not generate enough income for a seasoned therapist so they are "forced" (feel free to divulge who is forcing them, I could use some slave labor during holiday season) to work for a franchise, which pays the worst in the industry?
I have never heard of anyone taking a job that pays less than their current job because their current job does not pay enough. How does that work?
Gina A. Liccardo said:Many seasoned therapists have been forced to work for a franchise because they couldn't survive in a normal paying position.
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