Looking for Successful Massage Therapists

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Permalink Reply by Gloria Coppola on August 1, 2009 at 7:12pm

Julie! Thanks for the opportunity to share a $uccess story.

I have never moaned or had fear.

I remember starting out and someone saying "What will your hours be?" I replied, no evenings and weekends. They were "shocked". I was a single mom and decided I would make it work like doctor's hours . And it did....very well and booked out months in advance. I attracted the clientele that had the mentality that massage was healthcare and they would put it in their appointment book along with all their other appointments.

Also, I got my face out everywhere and met people, did presentations and lectures. Soon I was expanding and hiring therapists to work with me. You can wait for the phone to ring and you can't have fear!

I believe my success was do to a 'positive attitude' and listening to my clients.
Success to me = happiness in what I am doing. I AM HAPPY!

I used to have a private practice in a Chiropractor's office (Where I started)
Then opened a holistic health center with continually expansion. Then sold that and went back
into private practice, which I love.

Today my practice is much smaller than many years ago because I CHOOSE to have it that way. I am selective with my clientele and I attract people that are aware of their health care/prevention . I also attract massage therapists looking for the kind of work they so often so they give to others. Focused, loving attention!
I also teach continuing education courses now too and also another reason I have limited my session time.

Today, I worked on a therapist for 3+ hrs who is EXTREMELY successful and needs help. We chatted about all those complaining. The only complain she had is she can't find "reliable" help willing to get educated and provide quality sessions. So if you want to work, stop complaining, make sure you are positive, reliable, educated and happy!

Thanks for asking!
Gloria

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Permalink Reply by Marsha Kinsey, LMT, CEMT on August 2, 2009 at 5:15pm

I have a very successful business. I have been a massage therapist for 11 yrs. The first 5 years I worked parttime for Sprint PCS. Loved my job but wanted more out of life. Six years ago I stepped out of the corporate world after 30 plus years, scared to death. I build a business here in Crowley, Texas....small town south of Fort Worth. I love every day that I walk into my building. I have, on a average massaged 8-10 people a day 6 days a week. The first thing so many therapist and instructors are going to say is that is too much. I take care of myself, I receive massages and see my chiropractor monthly. But the main thing that keeps me doing it day after day, I love my clients and I know they need me. I am looking now into going back to school to get my medical massage certification. I work with many doctors, chiropractors, PTs and OTs at this time. If any one asked me if I thought they should go into massage.....I would have to ask them ....what is your desire? Are you doing this to help people or is it only for the money? This is not an easy job, it takes a lot to be good at it. I feel that I have been successful because I do care about my clients....it is not all about the money. I MAKE A GREAT LIVING.....looking forward to many, many, many years. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

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Permalink Reply by Julie Onofrio on August 3, 2009 at 4:23pm

I just added this section to my website so people can share their success stories live!
http://www.massage-career-guides.com/massage-success-stories.html

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Permalink Reply by Felicia Brown on August 3, 2009 at 9:28pm

So funny that you asked this question - I just posted an entry about this same topic on my blog. I submitted part of it you your site but here it is in it's entirety. I hope people will post their suggestions here and on both our blogs so that the widest number of people are reached!

I just ran across a post I made on a professional forum a couple of years ago and wanted to share it here. The thoughts are still just as valid and I hope they will inspire you all to become whatever you want!

One of the most frequent questions I get as a successful massage therapist, business owner and now, consultant, is "How did you get to be so successful?" or "What is the best thing I can do to get my practice/business going?" Whether you are a new practitioner on your own or the owner of a spa, my answers would still be the same. Here are a few of my suggestions.

1) Have confidence in yourself and your abilities. One of my instructors in massage school told me that being a great therapist was about 10% technique and 90% confidence. And she added that if I wasn't confident, to "fake it 'til you make it." That advice has served me well, whether I was speaking to a group, treating a new or VIP client, or interviewing for a new position. Even when I have to admit I don't know the answer to something, I will confidently tell someone "I'm not sure, but I will find out for you!" Confidence is very attractive and your clients/potential clients will definitely respond to it.

2) Always be willing to learn. No matter how much you know, you never know it all. For me, being humble enough to grow and learn from every situation and from others I meet gives me the opportunity to continue to stretch myself personally and professionally. It also opens my eyes to new perspectives, ideas, attitudes and adventures!

3) Help others succeed. Ever since I began my massage practice in 1994, and then later at my spa, I have always made it a point to help other massage therapists, spa owners and spa professionals. That attitude and aim has led to many teaching and speaking opportunities and is now the basis for my career as a consultant. If you help others succeed it will come back to many times over...and you will feel great about knowing that your deeds have really been good ones.

I can honestly say that my view of what success means has changed drastically over my 15+ year career. When I was younger it was more about status, public perception and money. Now it is all about doing what I love both at work and in life, having time to be with the people I care about, and being able to afford a few perks here and there.

Everyone's definition of success is different, but the key to achieving your own idea of success is to start by knowing what it looks like. Even now with my much relaxed idea and plan for success, I still set goals, determine necessary tasks, and set a time line for what I want to achieve. That's a lot of what I educate my students and clients to do as well because without some kind of a plan, the road to success can easily become a circular road to nowhere.

So here is a question for the rest of you...what advice would you give to new people in the massage/spa/healing arts field, either individual practitioners or spa business owners and managers? Be confident in the fact that you have something valuable to share so we can learn from each other...and together we will all succeed!

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Permalink Reply by Julie Onofrio on August 3, 2009 at 9:52pm

Thanks for everyones replys. I guess I am looking for more of the details of your business and how you made it successful. My motivation for this comes after spending too many months on the indeed.com job forums where I have never seen a more ungrateful or complaining bunch of massage therapists in all my 20 year career who are making the massage profession look bad. I want stories to make the massage profession look good and appealing.

http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/massage-therapist.html

Thanks!

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