Would You Hire You To Work In Your Own Massage Business?
Few Things Can Run You Out Of Business Faster Than Hiring The Wrong Person
Welcome back to another Monday with the Mavens. We created the Massage Mavens blog to connect with and educate self-employed massage therapists working to grow as business owners.
It can be lonely working for yourself – and we’re here to remind you that while you’re in business for yourself, you don’t have to be in business by yourself.
While we cater our content to independent MTs, all massage therapists are welcome here; whether you run your own independent massage therapy studio, you contract in a clinic, work in spa, or you are still in school.
Are You The Kind Of GM A Business Owner Can Trust To Run Their Day-To-Day?
Here’s the thing about running a successful business: you need the right people.
Whether you’re running an independent massage therapy studio, or a pizza shop, you need the right team….especially if you’re in a people-based business. (Which, as a massage therapist, you are.)
Do you need to give a good massage to stay in business?
Usually, yes.
But - as we can all easily think of a terrible massage we’ve had from a studio that’s still somehow in business - we know there’s more to it than that.
Do you need to keep a clean office to stay in business?
Usually, yes.
But you can also hire that out if it’s not your bag.
Do you need a decent website and other marketing strategies (that work) to stay in business?
Usually, yes.
But you might luck out and be in the right place at the right time to get noticed by the right person.
Do you need to keep your finances organized to stay in business?
Usually, yes.
But even if you get into financial trouble at tax time, the IRS offers payment plans, Credit Cards have interest-free promos, and the SBA might approve you for a loan. There’s almost always a way to overcome financial issues.
So. What is The. One. Thing that will run you OUT of business even if you’ve got everything else dialed in? You. You are capable of running yourself out of business in no time.
This means that before you EVER open your doors for business – or perhaps if your studio is struggling and you can’t quite pinpoint why - you should sit your booty down and interview yourself.
Are you accountable? Or flakey?
Are you a problem solver? Or do you panic at the first sign of friction?
Can you keep your “cool” when there’s a miscommunication with clients? Or do you tend to get rude and combative right out of the gate?
Do you have the grit to keep working through slow seasons? Or will you throw in the towel and move on to something “easier”…?
Are you willing to learn new skills like basic bookkeeping, online scheduling, effective networking? Or do you truly think that massage is the only skill you need to excel as a self-employed massage therapist?
At the end of this self-interview, if you wouldn’t hire yourself to be the GM of your massage studio – you’ve got a problem…
Because If you wouldn’t hire you, how in the world can you expect your clients to hire you?
Clients who feel unappreciated because you’re frequently running late or rescheduling?
They’ll move on.
Clients who feel disrespected because you lost your temper over a question about your services or policies?
They’ll move on.
Clients who feel unable to relax because the sessions are centered around You instead of Them?
They’ll move on.
Clients who just want ease when it comes to booking and paying - but your books are disorganized, and payment system is a hassle?
They’ll move on.
YOU are your most important asset when it comes to building your business.
YOU are responsible for the massage, the client experience, the back-end organization, the follow-through, the grit, the determination to follow through even when it’s a slow or frustrating season.
And YOU owe it to yourself to make sure you’re the kind of person you’d hire to hold down your own fort.
Thanks for stopping by!
As always, we’d love to hear how our content has helped you improve either your studio, your mindset, or your revenue as a self-employed massage therapist.
Rachel Martin, LMT, is an independent massage therapist living in Denver Colorado. Having built her solo massage studio to capacity, she now spends her free time helping other massage therapists do the same. Check out The Bodyworkers Business Collective, Queen Street Marketplace, and The Techy MT to learn more.
