Pick A Business Structure
There are several different types of business entities that you can choose from for your massage therapy practice. The most common business structures are the sole proprietorship, the limited liability company , and the corporation.
How do you choose which type of business structure is right for you? Understanding the differences between the most common types of business structures can help you make this critical decision.
Limited liability companies and corporations differ from sole proprietorships when it comes to asset protection. Limited liability companies and corporations are considered separate entities, so the owners of these types of entities have personal liability protection. This means that their personal assets, such as houses and cars, are protected if someone sues the business. Sole proprietors don’t have limited liability. If you run your business as a sole proprietorship, you could lose your personal assets due to a lawsuit.
You might be wondering why you’d want a sole proprietorship instead of one of the business structures that provides liability protection. A sole proprietorship is the easiest and cheapest business type. To form an LLC or corporation, you’ll need to file paperwork with the Secretary of State . You must also submit a filing fee, which varies from state to state. You don’t have to go through this formation process if you choose to operate your business as a sole proprietorship.
Hire Employees For Your Technical And Manpower Needs
Even if you choose to have a staff of therapists or run your office solo, you will need to hire an accountant for bookkeeping. Note that as the business grows, you will need to hire someone to perform the office duties you dont have time for. Then you could hire an assistant for minimum wage or participate in your states apprenticeship program, where the individual obtains their license at the end of the program. The necessary equipment you will need may include
-
Special tables and chairs for massages
Note that there are specialized massage tables and chairs used to position clients during massages. We believe that a typical commercial massage table has an easily cleaned, heavily padded surface, and a horseshoe-shaped head support that allows the client to breathe easily while lying face down and can be stationary or portable.
Also note that Ergonomic chairs serve a similar function as a massage table. Also note that chairs may be either stationary or portable models. But we believe that massage chairs are easier to transport than massage tables, and recipients do not need to disrobe to receive a chair massage. Just because of these two factors, chair massage is often performed in settings such as corporate offices, outdoor festivals, shopping malls, and other public locations.
-
Massage Warm-water therapy pools
-
Easy to use dry-water massages tables
-
Classic Vichy showers
-
Massage Crèmes, lotions, gels, and oils
-
Total Massage tools
The Service Delivery Process of the Business
Getting Customers For Your Mobile Massage Business
Once you have the pre-requisites in place, the real hard work begins. Although mobile massage pays very well on a per hour basis, 42% of massage therapists say they would like to work more hours.
In my mobile massage business, I see a common scenario repeat itself. I will have a very successful mobile massage therapist, and they would decide to open a massage parlor of their own. Time and again, I have seen them struggle, and the key reason is their inability to attract and retain new customers.
There are two main ways for you to get customers for your mobile massage business:
In the next sections, I will explore how you can use both the ways of getting customers and establish a successful mobile massage business.
Also Check: Massage Therapy Instructor Course Online
Facilitate Your Work Life With Practical Tools
There are tons of new technologies that can assist you in your most mundane work tasks: online invoicing, digital dictation, opt-in forms, a massage booking app, etc. The principle goal of using these practical e-tools is to facilitate tasks you spend too much time on. If you’re alone or you only have one other employee, spending your time doing paperwork can sometimes take over your whole day. Using these tools should take care of that.
Little tip – allow your clients to book their appointments when it’s convenient for them with a booking app: talk about it with your clients when they come in for their appointment , and add it to your voicemail message so people can automatically go from listening to your voicemail message to booking their next appointment. This way, youll focus on the primitive part of your job: massaging people.
How To Start A Foot Massage Business In 2022
Are you passionate about helping people? Then why not start a foot massage business? Today in this post, I will give you a complete guide on How to start a foot massage business.
Millions of people in the world are suffering from foot pain and other pain-related issues, they also want a service for foot pain relief.
Foot massage is good for people who have a lot of tension and anxiety. It can help them to relax, alleviate pain, and reduce stress.
Starting a foot massage business is a great way to make money while providing service to those who need it, but first, you will need to learn more about yourself as well as gain new skills.
So, you can read our step-by-step guide
You May Like: Hand And Stone Massage Happy Valley Oregon
Put Together A Solid Marketing Plan
Word of mouth is a great way to reach potential customers, but you don’t want to rely on just that. It would be best if you came up with a solid plan so that you can promote your massage services to as many people as possible.
The internet provides many avenues for your marketing efforts. One of the first things you’ll want to do is build a website. If you don’t feel comfortable making a website on your own, you can use one of many websites that provide helpful tools or hire help.
Be sure to set up your social media accounts and establish a social media presence as soon as possible. You can use social media platforms to provide information about your massage techniques and services. You can also use social media accounts to interact with customers and inform them of any specials or discounts you’re running.
You can also use signage, flyers, and business cards as part of your marketing plan. If you have a brick-and-mortar office, you can pass out flyers and cards to local businesses in the area. If you open a mobile massage business, then you can display your business name and logo on the side of your van.
Negatives Of Owning A Massage Therapy Business
However, setting up your own business can have some downsides. Some of the cons associated with starting up a massage therapy business are:
Physical strain
Performing massage therapy every day can take a toll on your body. You will likely be standing for hours every day, bending over and leaning down, which can cause strain on your body. The amount of pressure you will be applying using your fingers, hands and wrists can also result in injuries or strains. The physical demands of your job can have negative consequences on your health.
Your working hours may be limited
Because of the physical strain of your job, the number of hours you are able to work every day may be limited. This can have a negative impact on the growth of your business and your income.
Unrealistic client expectations
Some clients may think that one appointment with you is enough to cure their physical ailments, medical conditions or stress. As many massage therapists will attest, it usually takes multiple sessions for your clients to see an improvement. This could result in unhappy customers, negative reviews, and even a loss of business.
You will have a lot of responsibility
You will be responsible for running your business, ordering stock, maintaining equipment, ensuring the health and safety of your customers and employees and handling appointments and payments. You will be solely responsible for the success of your business.
Work can be inconsistent
Your business could fail
High liability
Also Check: Where Is A Good Massage Place
How Much Does It Cost To Open Your Own Massage Clinic
Opening your own clinic can be the most lucrative massage business model long-term. However, going this route does require a bigger financial investment than other options. It will also take some time to recoup your initial investment.
Opening your own business could simply involve renting a room in a group practice or gym. Alternatively, you may opt to rent an entire office space or buy a building. It all depends on where youre at right now and your plan for business growth. In most cases, the space you work out of will be your biggest ongoing expense.
When determining how much it will cost to start your massage business, consider the cost of the following start-up essentials.
-
Down payment + First month’s rent/mortgage
-
Liability insurance
Obtaining A Massage Parlor License
Not all states require massage therapists to hold a professional license, and most state laws that do credential massage therapists have only been in existence for little more than a decade. In recent years, however, there have been more efforts to professionalize massage therapy and to regulate its practice.
The reason for these changes is largely an effort to establish therapeutic massage as a health care discipline. There is also the ongoing concern about regulating vice. Many communities are concerned about the possibility of brothels operating under the guise of offering massage. While these concerns are sometimes addressed by investigations by local law enforcement, many communities seek to preemptively address potential problems by tightly regulating the licensing process.
Also Check: Best Heated Massage Office Chairs
Register With An Association
Itâs not essential to register with an association, but it is highly recommended. Upon joining, youâll have the opportunity to increase your network, stay across new information and training, connect with other industry contacts and experts, get access to discounted rates for insurance and more.
What Is A Massage And Special Treatment Licence
Under the London Local Authorities Act 1991 all premises offering special treatments must have a massage and special treatment licence.
We make getting your Massage and Special Treatment licence a simple, stress-free process
These services include the following:
Light treatment such as intense pulse light
Electric treatment
Read Also: Biotone Dual Purpose Massage Cream
You May Like: Are Massages Ok During Pregnancy
C Establish Your Social Media Presence
The ease of access presented by social media makes it a seamlessly efficient method of sharing information. Create social media pages for your business on various platforms.
Your social media pages will be yet another source by which your clients can contact you for information. Create a Facebook and Instagram page for your business and make sure you provide all the information required for your target audience to contact you upon viewing your page. Start posting regularly and include relevant hashtags to reach out to potential clients.
You can also add appointment booking buttons on your and pages to get more customers from there!
Choose A Business Nameand Logo
Your branding is the first thing potential clients will see. As such, your name and logo should convey that you run a professional business that clients can trust.
Choose a business name that is unique and professional and that clearly expresses what services you offer. For example, No Knot Massage or Count to Zen Massage Therapy dont leave people guessing. Brainstorm different keywords that describe your business and embody your core values, then try combining them in different configurations. An online business name generator may help spur creativity. While a generator likely offers more generic names, it can help narrow down options and inspire new ideas.
Once youve decided on your favorite business name options, make sure no one else has already claimed them and that youre not infringing on any trademarks. Use the name search tool on your state business filing agencys website, and then use the U.S. Patent and Trademark Offices trademark search tool.
The next step is to brand your business with a logo. Everything from the color palette to typography should be consistent across all marketing materials and channels, including your website, business cards, and social media accounts.
If you dont have design experience, you can outsource this work to a graphic designer. Sites like 99designs or UpWork offer affordable services from professionals.
Read Also: Hand And Stone Massage Kingwood
Get The Necessary Legal Documents You Need To Operate
You need to know that starting and running a successful massage therapy business needs a lot of planning and consideration. Apart from possessing the proper permits and licenses, youre also required to have undergone state-approved education to secure and maintain some of those licenses. The state of Texas, like many states, has its own set of requirements that must be met in order for a massage therapy business to operate within its borders. You basically need
- Operators license
- Permanent physical address for mobile massage spa
Find A Business Mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Don’t Miss: Is A Massage Good For Arthritis
Register Your Massage Business
You must register your company with your local Secretary of State before you can begin operating. There are four different types of business structures to choose from: sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company , or corporation.
A limited liability company is an ideal choice for massage businesses. An LLC protects your personal assets in case your business comes under financial distress or legal action. For example, if a client sues your company for injuries, your personal assets are completely separate from your business assets.
An LLC also allows for pass-through taxation, which means your business income will only be taxed once. Other business entities, like corporations, undergo double taxation, which means youll be taxed at the business level and on your personal tax return.
Check the Small Business Administration websitefor more information about registering your business.
Analyze The Market And Your Competitors
Once you have a hold of your target market, you need to analyze it well in order to offer valuable services. Get a pulse of what people exactly need and want in the current market. Whether individual massages are in demand, or couple massages are the new cool, etc.
Your plan for setting up a massage business is bound to work out if and only if you cater to the demand effectively. Or as we briefly discussed in the previous section, you can identify gaps in the target market of your industry, and cater specifically to them. For example, if the massage centers in your area generally cater more to male customers, you can target the female ones better and win them over!
Competitor analysis is also necessary to ensure that you dont underestimate or overestimate your value in the market. Understand the competitor prices and the paying capacity of your target customers, and set your prices accordingly. Offering services at a very low rate might raise questions, and that at a very high rate may keep your appointment slots empty.
You can visit your competitors or just look up their service menu online to find out their prices . Dont forget to check their reviews and ratings online to understand their strengths and weaknesses, and how people feel about them.
Once you have a solid idea about your market and competitors, you can devise better strategies to penetrate your market and appeal to your customers!
Recommended Reading: Much Kneaded Therapeutic Massage And Bodywork
Question : What Are Some Of The Cons Of Mobile Massage
The main downside of starting a mobile massage business is that youll have to do a lot of driving to meet with clients. This can be time-consuming and expensive, especially if you have to travel long distances.
Youll also need to be very organized and efficient in order to keep track of your appointments, client information, and supplies.
And we have to mention safety when talking about mobile massage. In general, being a mobile massage therapist is very safe, but you do need to take precautions and screen clients the best you can. Youll need to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions when meeting clients in unfamiliar locations.
Question : Do I Need A Massage License
In the state of Florida, you are required to have a license in order to offer massage therapy. The process of obtaining a license includes completing an educational program of at least 500 hours at an accredited massage school, submitting an FDLE criminal background check, and passing the MBLEx , and a laws and rules of the board course.
If you are moving to Florida and licensed in another state, here is my guide to getting licensed as a masssage therapist in Florida.
Also Check: Massage Green Spa Troy Michigan
Network And Meet Your Neighbours
Find online business groups in your neighbourhood you can join on Facebook or on your citys website. If you are friendly with your neighbours, they will be too! If you love the coffee shop next door, ask them if you can serve the same coffee in your massage business. People will love the coffee, ask where its from, and you can direct them next door for their coffee fix.
Having good relationships with local businesses can make your business grow and youll make friends along the way! Explore the neighbourhood and dont be shy to go to local events to talk about your business. Every small business in your neighbourhood wants to grow its revenues, so helping each other out is a win win situation.
To sum up, these 9 essential things to know before starting a massage business are vital information you need to remember. You wouldn’t want to forget a highly crucial aspect like creating a detailed business plan since you can’t neglect taking into consideration certain elements like your strengths and weaknesses and your marketing strategy. You already have a million thoughts you’re thinking about, making it easy for you and your clients to book online whenever they want will relieve some stress on your shoulders. So really… When are we getting that free massage?