| If you just look at the personal benefits of | | | | make house calls. I started like this and for a |
| massage therapy, you can see having a massage | | | | short while it worked very well. If you choose to |
| practice is so rewarding for those who are | | | | start like this too, you don't need to rent out a |
| professionals in the field. Many of your regular | | | | building or anything like that. All you need is a good |
| clients will range from people with serious back | | | | portable table and a carry bag for your towels, oil |
| problems to de-stressing at the end of a heavy | | | | and hand cleanser. |
| week. With a visit from the friendly | | | | If you choose to take out a loan and set up a |
| neighbourhood massage therapist now and then, | | | | shop, look to set it up somewhere near |
| they are often able to live rewarding, active lives | | | | complimentary business to massage therapy. You |
| that may not have been possible without a little | | | | have a better chance of gained new clients if you |
| help now and then. This alone is enough validation | | | | think like them. Think about others services your |
| to put massage therapists on a natural high. There | | | | clients use and make yourself accessible to that |
| really is nothing quite like helping people gain a | | | | avenue. If you're really on a budget, however, I'd |
| sense of strength and comfort. | | | | advise that you stick to house calls, at least until |
| A low cost business plan | | | | you've established a regular clientele and a strong |
| There are dozens of business ideas you can grab | | | | reputation in your area. |
| onto that offer the chance to help people in your | | | | Surprised by Success |
| massage business. However, most of them either | | | | As exciting as starting your own massage |
| require high start-up costs, or won't return much | | | | therapy practice can be, it is advised that you |
| at all. This means that they have to be pursued | | | | don't get too far ahead of yourself. To put it |
| more as a hobby than as a legitimate career path. | | | | bluntly, don't quit your day job before you have |
| Luckily, the business side of massage therapy is | | | | massage clients. |
| as rewarding as the personal side. | | | | As long as you have the skills to deliver excellent |
| There simply aren't very many business plans as | | | | massage therapy treatments, chances are that |
| easy to start up as a massage therapy service. | | | | you will build a strong clientele. Building a strong, |
| Massage therapy is one of those businesses you | | | | returning clientele takes sound marketing skills and |
| can run from the seat of your car. Beginning | | | | good people skills. Within a short time you may be |
| massage therapists don't even need an office, | | | | surprised at how far you've come. |
| just a telephone and a diary. | | | | Being a people-person will help you create a |
| Skills to pay the bills | | | | successfully busy massage practice. Knowing how |
| The most important element of a massage | | | | to meet and create warm relationships is vital to |
| therapy business plan is, of course, experience in | | | | massage therapy. Creating positive |
| massage therapy. You can have all the money in | | | | communications will lead to happy clients. Allowing |
| the world for advertisement and setting up your | | | | your clients to talk about themselves is very |
| own fancy office, but if you don't have the skill to | | | | helpful in making the whole process more |
| really help people you won't see any return clients. | | | | effective. |
| A massage therapist relies much on their skills as | | | | To sum it up, building a successful massage |
| a therapist and skills with people. | | | | business doesn't take years and years. It can |
| Beyond that, the start-up costs for a new | | | | take a month or two depending on your skills. |
| massage therapy business tend to be remarkably | | | | These 'skills' are simply being great at massage, |
| low. Most beginning massage therapists choose to | | | | good with people and brilliant in your marketing. |