Elements of the Massage Business

 “Ms. N” received “unsolicited mail” from my franchise company (to her it was JUNK MAIL) and wanted to know how we got her address.    I know this because she was kind enough to call me.

I LISTENED to Ms. N….as a fellow massage therapist and gentle spirit I could tell she was passionate and I really appreciated her taking the time to talk to me.  I told her that our franchise sales department got the names but I was pretty sure it was from one of two national massage associations and that I would find out and get back to her. 

SHE SPOKE passionately …….she could have easily just “complained” to anyone that would listen and nothing would have been resolved.   What I liked about Ms. N is that although she was VERY PASSIONATE about not wanting unsolicited mail and upset about someone giving her name and address, she was professional, courteous and followed the Four Agreements (excellent read—if you don’t have it, I would highly recommend it)!    

THINKING and ACTING…. I am a consultant to the company that has franchised my business model and I own three franchises personally.  Ms. N.’s passion ignited something inside me…….so I started thinking, what can I do personally and in business to impact our environment?

Ms. N…….you REALLY made me think!  As a business consultant how can I impact our environment and how can the company franchising this business model also impact our environment. 

OUR MARKETING DEPARTMENT was already ahead of me….they recently  signed a contract for our business cards and brochures which will all be printed on recycled paper. 

OUR MASSAGE STUDIOS are virtually paperless.  There is one intake form completed by clients that is then shredded and recycled. 

FILTERED WATER is provided for our employees (to decrease production of individual water bottles).   What I also realized after talking with Ms. N is that I too get JUNK MAIL….often from the same companies over and over.  All I have done to this point is throw it away…..but now (thanks to Ms. N), I will call these companies and asked to removed from their mailing list.  

SO CHEERS TO AN EMPOWERED AMAZING WOMAN who will SPEAK HER TRUTH!!!

INTERNET VISIBILITY and MASSAGE

Welcome to my blog!  This is my first entry and my intention is to share my business and massage experience in a way that will be helpful to my fellow therapists! 

My background:   I have been practicing massage therapy since 2000.  I opened a retail massage studio in 2002 and another in 2005 (both in Colorado).  I currently employ over 30 massage therapists. In 2006 Fitness Together Franchise Corporation began franchising my business model.  We currently have 80 franchises sold in the United States, Costa Rica, Ireland and England.

My advice:  I have noticed over the past 8 years in business that customers don’t look at yellow pages that much anymore, they use the internet.  One way you can increase your business visibility on the internet is to put a free listing on “google”.  To do this, go to www.google.com/local/add.   Sign up for a free “google” account if you do not have one and then add your business listing, it is FREE!  Good Luck!