how should i go about starting my own massage therapy business after i graduate this september?

Question

i'm a massage therapy student and a business marketing and management major. i have great ideas and a lot of drive. its just getting started with all the paper work that bothers me. getting clientel is the easy part. who doesn't want a good massage?

Answer 1

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Success Beyond Work: What Prosperous Massage Therapists Know--Minimum Work, Maximum Profits, and a Sellable Business by Colleen Holloway
* Marketing Massage: How to Build Your Dream Practice by Monica Roseberry
* The Educated Heart: Professional Guidelines for Massage Therapists, Bodyworkers and Movement Teachers by Nina McIntosh

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

Here R the cold hard facts! Put all the Fung Shway- Ti-Chi feeling you should have after accomplishing the school ASIDE. Put on your business hat, pick up a pen & paper and prepair 4 battle. I went to The National Holistic Institute In Emeryville, CA and they offer a Health Education & Business title along with the many different modalities U learn. I commend any person that takes a business class along with this art, it is esentual, here is Y.
For what ever reason the old shool train of thought still exist amoung us therapist that "we don't need regulation" an I think it is wwrong. Just as Chiropractic was recently ligitimized about 12 years ago by medical providers they had to fight the good fight and weed out the quacks, add to the cariculum and document countles tons of rescerch, just to not be called "bone crackers" any more. We need the same!
The education of the masses, the removal of the sexual overtones and a solidarity form state to state, not a difference in standards from city to city. Once all this happends YOU as a new therapist woun't have to be overly conserned with improper contact and ackusations. U wount have 2 compeat with the kid justout of school that is offering services below a dollar a minuet (CA) after U have earned more after years of experience in the feild. There will be more insurance providers because the risk factor has dropped. U can bill your services at regular price to insurance with out haveing 2 mask it into another practitioners service. Ect.
Until that day, u create a tree. Write down literally every one you know. and ask for thre names and numbers from each one of them the first month one person the second month. Now each one of the referrals U do the same and N 3 months you should literally have over 500 people 2 call and practice YOUR PITCH ON untill it is comfortable and fluid.
Secondly, Allways offer one session AT FULL PRICE and call value to youself, feel it, know it and belive it. This is your new life and U don't want ANY of your new clients thinking your cheep even if your short on experience. "My regular price is $75 4 a massage of 70 min that includes pre & post assesment. However I allow a 30 day period at which U can apply 100% of our first session to any one of the discounted per session packages.
"Mr. NewClient your in need of extended service for the conserns you relayed 2 me. Would U prefer the 3,2,1 package or just the1 for 1? 3sessions the 1st week, 2 the second week and one a week for the next six months- 1 a week for a year-
Massage therapy is a journy of relationships built and maintained based on how U promote yourself, not discounted service just 2 get experience here and ther and never see the person ore then 3 times. (unless your on a cruise ship or resort)
Seek out your clientel, then focus on your nitche as 75% of your efforts the first6 months and the referrals will take care of themselves as will the experience.
dont feel like doing spell check tonight folks excuse me I was on a rant & roll.

Answer 3

Starting a small business takes a lot of courage. But, as they say, courage does not pay the bills. To be successful – to stay in business – you need more than courage. You need a combination of hard work, skill, perseverance, and lots of luck.

Some things you need to consider:
- "How can I support my family while I build up by business?"
- "What are my abilities?"
- "Is there a market for the product or service I have chosen?"
- "How long will it take this business to reach the financial goal I have?"

You may want to read the article "How to Start a New Business Successfully" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol51/launch.htm , which lists six steps to launch a new business successfully:

1. Provide a benefit.
2. Determine the fit with your market.
3. Right timing is everything
4. Be ready to support your business
5. Develop a blueprint for success
6. Market, market, market

To give you ideas on what exactly do you need to start your own business, here are ten things you need to know before launching your own business “10 Things You Need to Know When Starting Your Own Home Business” http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/startingbiz.htm .

Here are some articles to help you start your own massage therapy business

Aye, There's the Rub http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,281319,00.html
How to start a Massage Therapy Business http://www.homebusinesscenter.com/how_to_start/massage.html
Massage Business Startup Checklist http://www.massagepracticebuilder.com/sb_business_startup.htm
Starting a Massage Business http://www.massagepracticebuilder.com/starting_massage_business.htm

I strongly suggest you also check out the resources available in professional and trade organizations (one important resource they can provide is group liability insurance -- a must have for this business) such as

Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals http://www.abmp.com/home/index.html
American Massage Therapy Association http://www.massagetherapy.org/

If you think you need help in starting the business and need someone to guide you, I suggest you consult a mentor. There are several places where you may be able to find a mentor:

- Government Mentoring Programs such as SBDCs, which works with community colleges and local business development councils to offer mentoring programs http://www.sba.gov/sbdc/sbdcnear.html ; or the Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training http://www.sba.gov/womeninbusiness/wnet_roundtables.html
- Volunteer programs such as SCORE http://www.score.org which is composed of mostly retired executives and entrepreneurs
- Formal mentoring programs such as Athena Foundation http://www.athenafoundation.org/programs/globallinks.html , Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program http://www.helzbergmentoring.org/HEMP/ , or The Aspen Institute MicroMentor Program http://www.micromentor.org (these organizations charge minimal fees)
- Professional organizations such as the National Women’s Business Council http://www.nwbc.gov/Mentoring/programs.html
- Industry and trade associations
- Local business groups, such as the chamber of commerce
- Local chapters of business groups

Answer 4

Hopefully you're in a large metro area - you need to be to make a go of it. And if you are - there should be a "small business administration" in the area - made up of current and retired business people who are there to help people starting into a business venture.
Good luck!! There's nothing like a good massage to relax and destress!

Answer 5

Generating sales is the most important part of any business. Prior to starting, you need to identify: 1) Who is most likely to purchase your services? For example, do you think doctors, lawyers, athletes, or professionals who work on their feet all day would be the best source of customers? 2) What they read; where they go, and what they do for fun? Do they read newspapers/magazines, browse the internet, or attend social organizations? 3) Develop methods of informing them of your services. Do you place an ad in a paper, hire a telemarketer, or purchase time on a radio station.

Answer 6

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