After reading an article a few weeks ago in another magazine ( I am not sure if I should say the name or not!) titled “Massage Franchises – The Impact on the Profession” I have to say I was quite saddened initially. The two most alarming things I read were about the new relationship that Massage Envy is creating with Corinthian Colleges saying that they will be teaching Massage Envy requirements in their schools and the other statement saying that this should be a positive wake up call for private practitioners! A part of me wanted to get out of the massage profession right away if that is what it is coming down to! What happened to massage being a calling and a lifestyle that I joined the career for back in 1987??? After much online discussion in various forums, massageprofessionals.com, Facebook and writing on my own blog I have to say I am more inspired then ever to continue teaching massage therapist that there is a different way!
You can just say no to low paying franchise jobs! You can also use them to get where you want to go in starting and running your own business. Running your own business is also different than being an independent contractor where you are half employee and half self employed (Paying your own taxes but working doing massage for someone!)
As a self employed massage business owner you do have the opportunity to make much more. You can start a business without much investment but no it isn’t always easy and it does take a commitment to learning to step out and promote yourself! It can be an extraordinary growth process! Many massage therapists use the reason that they don’t want the hassles of running a business but even if you work for someone you have to do many of the same things as a self employed massage therapist would – get and keep clients. You can hire a bookkeeper and a billing person if you hate that part of it! You can hire a receptionist to take calls or use some of the tools that are available to streamline your business so you can focus on what you do best – doing massage!
Everyone seems to go back to the same reasoning that what other career can you make $25 (with tips) from a franchise on 500 -1000 hours of training? If you compare it to an independent contractor where they often end up giving away half of what they gross (which is a whole other topic – most should really be employees!).
As a business owner you get to keep more! As a self employed massage therapist I make $85 an hour average a week. I am not sure why anyone would not want that.  Yes I have overhead but it doesn’t compare at all to how much you have to pay when you give 40-60% of your gross to an employer as a so called independent contractor! I pay rent but share an office space with others doing massage keeping the costs low and I am in the center of downtown Seattle, cell phone, website and that is about it! I don’t advertise or do much in marketing because my website does it all for me!
There are others who are also teaching massage therapists that you can make more with your own business- Meagan Holub author of “The Magic Touch - How to Make $100,000 a year as a Massage Therapist.” There is Woody Haiken with his work at “The Growing Practice”.  Laura Allen is a gifted author writing on the topic of building a business so that anyone can do it and our massage pundit!
There are so many good resources out there today to help you along the way! There is no reason why you can’t learn how to start and run your own business. If you don’t want to then don’t complain about those franchise jobs! You can either go and get a higher paying massage job or start your own business!
I think with all of this talk of the end of the self employed massage therapist I should start a campaign – “Just say NO to low paying massage jobs” and also a new marketing campaign for massage therapists starting their own business ” I fix $59 massages!” (OK I hate the word fix because I don’t think we do fix but it is just for the impact like a commercial on tv lately with a cheap hair salon offering $6 haircuts and a small business barber/salon who puts up a sign across the street staying “I fix $6 haircuts”)
March 24th, 2010 at 7:16 am
Catchy slogan about “fixing $59 massages”….people can adapt that to their own area. I think the franchises here actually charge less than that, but I haven’t been to one so I can’t swear to it. I’ve heard $39 from some places. And in my small rural town, I charge $60, and I’m the highest-priced place in the area.
The one objection I have to it is that there are some talented therapists working in franchises; it’s not like they’re all staffed with terrible people. I wouldn’t want my friends who work at such places to get the idea that I’m saying they do inferior work.
March 24th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
WOW, $85 an hour average sounds great! I have been in private practice for 4 years, have a nice clientele, and a great, centrally located office and average nothing close to $85 an hour after my bills are paid. How do you do it?
March 24th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Yes I am sure there are very talented people at franchises. I have also gotten very bad massages from self employed massage therapists so I am not saying that you get bad massages at franchises. I bet there would be better ones if people were more inspired and paid more to begin with!
If people want to or need to work there to achieve their goals then you have to do what you have to do but I am just trying to get people to desire more and value themselves more!
Julie
March 24th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
I applaud you, Julie, for your success, especially in these tough times. Your thriving private practice speaks volumes about your personal drive and high standards. It’s clear why you have succeeded. Your story rings true, but let’s paint a realistic picture of today’s massage landscape for those therapists who want to strike out on their own.
The massage business has changed dramatically over the last twenty-five years. Back in the late 80′s when my wife, Susan, started her private practice here in Brooklyn, marketing was a simple flyer at the health food store. Spas were few, and there was little competition. Life was simple.
Today, forget simple; massage is highly competitive, and clients have become more educated and discriminating. Look around, spas are on now every corner. “Spa” has become a buzz word, embraced by dog groomers, dentists and even medical technicians. If hat wasn’t enough, massage schools are churning out more and more therapists every day. It’s getting crowed out there for clients.
Susan, my wife and LMT, opened a spa- six years ago in that harsh climate, focused on great bodywork, passionate therapists, and great service. It wasn’t long before clients were noticing that our staff love to work here. Need I say more? .
This spa owner pays benefits and is competitive with both spas and private practitioners in this area. We also strive to respect the needs of each and every employee. (- For the record- most spas nationwide hire therapists as independent contractors which is highly illegal Therapist can be fined as well as the spa by the IRS.)
On the surface, your salary seems like a much better deal, but is it really? Most spa owners would be thrilled to make a solid 25% on spa services. That translates to $25 on a single $100 service less any discounts, refunds or no shows (therapist still gets paid when the client is a no show) Don’t forget that the $25 profit covers time spent by the owner answering the phone booking the client. Someone has to get paid to answer the phone.
Overhead is no joke. It’s a big number. So think you deserve more of that spa fee as your salary? Ok, before we pay you more, let’s deduct for start-up capital expenditures, building costs, design, permits, loans, office supplies, utilities, laundry, commercial rent, insurance, web hosting, flowers, facility cleaning, uniforms, marketing spa discounts, maintenance, graphics, essential oils, computers, computer software, massage supplies, training, front desk labor, and refunds….just to name a few.
Be your own boss! No doubt, some of you will have the drive to succeed big time But when you strike out on your own, do so with your eyes wide open.
- Sage Spa
Park Slope, Brooklyn NY
March 24th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I applaud you, Julie, for your success, especially in these tough times. Your thriving private practice speaks volumes about your personal drive and high standards. It’s clear why you have succeeded. Your story rings true, but let’s paint a realistic picture of today’s massage landscape for those therapists who want to strike out on their own.
The massage business has changed dramatically over the last twenty-five years. Back in the late 80′s when my wife, Susan, started her private practice here in Brooklyn, marketing was a simple flyer at the health food store. Spas were few, and there was little competition. Life was simple.
Today, forget simple; massage is highly competitive, and clients have become more educated and discriminating. Look around, spas are on now every corner. “Spa” has become a buzz word, embraced by dog groomers, dentists and even medical technicians. If hat wasn’t enough, massage schools are churning out more and more therapists every day. It’s getting crowed out there for clients.
Susan, my wife and LMT, opened a spa- six years ago in that harsh climate, focused on great bodywork, passionate therapists, and great service. It wasn’t long before clients were noticing that our staff love to work here. Need I say more? .
This spa owner pays benefits and is competitive with both spas and private practitioners in this area. We also strive to respect the needs of each and every employee. (- For the record- most spas nationwide hire therapists as independent contractors which is highly illegal Therapist can be fined as well as the spa by the IRS.)
On the surface, your salary seems like a much better deal, but is it really? Most spa owners would be thrilled to make a solid 25% on spa services. That translates to $25 on a single $100 service less any discounts, refunds or no shows (therapist still gets paid when the client is a no show) Don’t forget that the $25 profit covers time spent by the owner answering the phone booking the client. Someone has to get paid to answer the phone.
Overhead is no joke. It’s a big number. So think you deserve more of that spa fee as your salary? Ok, before we pay you more, let’s deduct for start-up capital expenditures, building costs, design, permits, loans, office supplies, utilities, laundry, commercial rent, insurance, web hosting, flowers, facility cleaning, uniforms, marketing spa discounts, maintenance, graphics, essential oils, computers, computer software, massage supplies, training, front desk labor, and refunds….just to name a few.
Be your own boss! No doubt, some of you will have the drive to succeed big time But when you strike out on your own, do so with your eyes wide open.
Sage Spa
Park Slope, Brooklyn NY
March 24th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
This spa owner pays benefits and is competitive with both spas and private practitioners in this area. We also strive to respect the needs of each and every employee. (- For the record- most spas nationwide hire therapists as independent contractors which is highly illegal. Therapist can be fined along with the spa by the IRS.)
On the surface, your salary seems like a much better deal, but is it really? Most spa owners would be thrilled to make a solid 25% on spa services. That translates to $25 on a single $100 service less any discounts, refunds or no shows (therapist still gets paid when the client is a no show) Don’t forget that the $25 profit must also cover time spent by the owner answering the phone booking the client. Someone has to get paid to answer the phone.
Overhead is no joke. It’s a big number. So think you deserve more of that spa fee as your salary? Ok, before we cut a check, let’s deduct for start-up capital expenditures, building costs, design, permits, loans, office supplies, utilities, laundry, commercial rent, insurance, web hosting, flowers, facility cleaning, uniforms, marketing spa discounts, maintenance, graphics, essential oils, computers, computer software, massage supplies, training, front desk labor, and refunds….just to name a few.
So, be your own boss! No doubt, some will have the drive to succeed big time But when you strike out on your own, do so with your eyes wide open.
- Sage Spa
Park Slope, Brooklyn NY
March 24th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
On the surface, your salary seems like a much better deal, but is it really? Most spa owners would be thrilled to make a solid 25% on spa services. That translates to $25 on a single $100 service less any discounts, refunds or no shows (therapist still gets paid when the client is a no show) Don’t forget that the $25 profit covers time spent by the owner answering the phone booking the client. Someone has to get paid to answer the phone. Overhead is no joke. It’s a big number. So think you deserve more of that spa fee as your salary? Ok, before we pay you more, let’s deduct for start-up capital expenditures, building costs, design, permits, loans, office supplies, utilities, laundry, commercial rent, insurance, web hosting, flowers, facility cleaning, uniforms, marketing spa discounts, maintenance, graphics, essential oils, computers, computer software, massage supplies, training, front desk labor, and refunds….just to name a few. Be your own boss! No doubt, some will have the drive to succeed big time But when you strike out on your own, do so with your eyes wide open.
March 24th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Big chain opened up in my area with large banners that say $19.99 massage & I’ve heard both good and not so good about them as well as fixed another therapist who was quite injured 8 days after going to one. They did NOT do a client intake form. This is very alarming to me as our profession has had a low to no incidence of “malpractice” so to speak, which has kept our liability insurance rates down. Also, since there are still those who are reluctant to get a massage, this type of thing certainly won’t encourage them to seek massage from a well trained competent skilled person. But I suppose we’re getting caught up in the “Corporate America” swing of things, eh? Lately I find lots of opportunities to barter for things like auto repair & think about how much more I could do with more bartering in our lives, but so far I can’t imagine bartering for my rent and food.
. My bottom line has always been whatever is best for the client. This past year, however has me looking into alternative career avenues as I’m not able to make ends meet. Lack of a college degree has affected my obtaining positions I would have loved and been great at in my previous field and is now affecting my present one as the schools now offering massage teaching positions require a college degree as well. I’ve been very blessed to have my parents help to make ends almost meet, but that must change.
A friend of mine told me I should go get one of the 19.99 massages so I know what to say in my own self-promotion, but I really don’t want anyone touching me who isn’t highly skilled as I’ve had several whiplashes.
I believe we are on the threshold of a transformation in our industry and we need to hold an image of what we want to create. I was fully supportive of state regulation believing it would help, but I’m greatly disappointed by what’s taken place. Now there are schools that should never teach massage popping up all over and the Market is being flooded with products and resources from those trying to score big bucks at the expense of high quality bodywork and massage.
So, we shall see what dreams may come as we muddle thru. The health care field is one hot topic these days on everyone’s facebook or Twitter. Lots of disagreements. That’s where we are headed unless we unite and create something different. I think it would be wonderful for everyone to be able to afford massage when needed, however, I know I can only physically do so many in a day. I’ve maxed out at 7, but know 4 people a day is best for my body–or three People if two of those are 90 minute sessions. I can’t see people waiting like they do in a doctors office for thei massage appt. That’s where I see the chains heading.
Yesterday I did wonder how people would react to my standing on a street corner with a sign saying ” will massage for food and shelter!”.
I’m getting back to meditating to remember who I am and what I value in my life and concentrating my energy thus.
I send love and hugs to everyone in the profession including those in all the chains! May we all do be and hold the very highest intentions for healing on our paths!
March 24th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Congratulations.Clearly you are talented and have succeeded in your private practice.
At Sage Spa, we are very proud of our high trained, dedicated staff. Clients have noticed how our staff love to work here. It shows on their faces. Part the respect we show our staff begins with pay. We pay benefits, disability and unemployment insurance. Most spas hire staff as independent contracts which is not ok with the IRS. In fact, both spa and therapist can get fined.
Your salary may seem high at first glance, but if you look seriously at the expenses of a typical spa, you will find most owners jumping at 25% profit on services. The list of expenses is long, especially these days. Add to that, clients that go to spas now days are sophisticated and knowledgeable. They expect far more than clean sheets on a massage table plunked down in someone’s living room.
March 24th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Frankly the ME near me has weeded out the bargain shoppers who don’t really value massage therapy and couldn’t tell the difference between a new student or an experienced person and don’t care. As with anything you get what you pay for, but I have yet after 17 years made $85 per hour. When I figure that out I will be retired. I have 16 years of advertising and marketing experience and tried to teach at Corinthian College for a week when I walked out. In my area they attracted the bottom of the barrel who have already washed out of community colleges and think this is an easy job. If that’s what they are doing, ME is truly reaching for the lowest common denominator in terms of quality education out there. That is good news for people who know quality massage but will not improve the perception of massage therapy to the public at all. How about an accredited quality school like Cortiva? Because with ME it’s all about cheap labor, and with Corinthian it’s all about Federal matching funds. Profit before quality, its the American way!
March 24th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
There are many inexpensive ways to start a massage business. I am not talking about opening a large spa – just a one person massage business. You don’t need start up fees. You can share office space with other therapist or health care providers. Install a washer/dryer. Do laundry at home every night. I don’t have a computer at work even. I have a very efficient website that gets me a steady flow of clients. I have voice mail – has worked fine for 20 years. Yes it takes work but it also takes a lot out of people working for such low wages.
Julie
March 25th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
I worked for chains like ME & MH when I only made 8K my first year of business (after deductions). The thing I don’t like about those places is the weird business owners and the fact that you never get a raise. Pay raises are outlined in the handbook, so it looks like you could make really good money if you have a high return percentage on clients. Unfortunately, no one ever did. Then, our tips went missing and it turns out one of the front desk girls was stealing them because “she made &*%&$.” What did she think we were getting paid? I don’t know. The business owner was really bizarre and fired a lot of great therapists for not following her ridiculous policies. Oh, except the ones with 80-100% client retention.
I think the issue is money. Therapists pay a lot of fees just like other health professionals, but are still treated like low-paid service workers by corporate chains (unless they have a successful practice). Building a successful practice takes time and money. Unless the therapist has people or great credit or the SBA to lean on, like me they might just cut their losses and take what they can get to make ends meet. Got any useful advice therapists don’t have to pay for? Not likely.
April 9th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
First I will say that I have been a massage therapist for 10 years, and received an excellent education. I also took a position with ME, and am a little disturbed at the notion that we’re somehow lacking in skills and that is why we work there. I am certainly not lacking in the skill department.
Let’s face it, there’s been a recession and people cannot always afford $85 sessions as often as they would like to receive them. We are in a healing profession, but it is also a business, and if you really want to bring massage to people then it needs to be affordable to them.
For those out there making a good living on bigger fees, that’s excellent and I wish you nothing but the best. But because I practice with a different business point of view does not make me some sort of inferior therapist who needs you to “fix” people that I work on.
I have been on my own, I have been an independent contractor, and am now also an employee. I’ve been around awhile, and I am very good at what I do. I just choose to do it a little differently right now is all.
April 9th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Yes I have tons of Free advice starting with looking at your own beliefs about money and your own value. You don’t really need much of anything to start a business and be successful. An office space, a website, a few hundred business cards. It starts with making a commitment that is unshakable under any and all circumstances.
You can read my blog with a ton of free info on doing just that. Start with the Wealthy Massage Therapist Thread…
Julie
April 9th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
That’s OK if you have to take a job there for whatever reason.
ME is known for taking mainly entry level massage therapists. They have even set up an agreement with Corinthian College to feed them students right out of school. One of the biggest challenges seems to be getting over the idea that the economy is the problem. Laura Allen has a very successful clinic in one of the hardest hit areas. I think I saw on her website that they charge $50 or $60 an hour which is about the national average.
If you can live on ‘affordable’ massage fees then go for it. Are you saving for retirement? Taking a nice vacation a few times a year? Getting all your bills paid and staying out of debt? Then great!
But often the belief that you have to offer cheap massage in order to get clients is filled with many old beliefs of not being good enough etc that can block your earning potential. It may or may not be true for you but it is always worth looking into.
You might want to take a look at a post on my other blog – Making the Switch to Being Rich - a book by Steve Capellini – a well known massage therapist who writes about spa massage.
Julie
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:21 am
I have my own private practice. I offer a variety of options especially in these challenging economic times.
Most of my clients still book a 60 minute Therapeutic Massage, which currently runs $79.00. I do offer shorter sessions for those financially challenged & have even added an Economy Massage, where the client can bring their own linens saving them even more. This can save me as well on my time, utilities, laundering … So far, no one has chosen that option but it is their, should the need arise.
I think some of the initial offers made by some chains, sound very good, but it is only for the initial massage.
Then it is a monthly commitment of perhaps $59 a month plus a tip for the therapist. And usually the actual session is 50 minutes of hands on work perhaps. So, I really don’t see a huge savings or value for the client.
Their are many clients out their and many Massage Therapists. Every therapist has a different touch and a way that makes them unique.
For myself, I love what I do. I have helped many people with a variety of needs. That is the greatest reward.
I am professional, trained and experienced. As a Professional, I need to have self respect and do what feels right for me to practice. I personally do not feel $25 is a fair wage considering this is a labor intensive job. I take continue education, keep up both my National & State license. I assume it is for each individual therapist to decide what is right for them.
I would feel like a doormat if I were to accept that for my services. If I were to work for someone else
which I did awhile ago, the minimum I would accept is 50% of the service. However, when I did I actually earned 60%.
I like the freedom of having my own practice. I like to pay attention to the small details for each client I serve.
I wish all of you success, what ever that might mean to you. If you enjoy what it is you are doing, feel you are
making a difference in the lives you touch along the way, wonderful!
August 15th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
The range for massage in this area is 59 dollars for a franchise (first time) massage to 100 dollars or more at a spa. My state passed a law in 2005, that to have the designation of Licensed Massage Therapist a person must have the equivalent of an A.A.degree-60 college credits. We are the only state I know of to require this. A person may go through massage school training but minus the college credits, legally must list themselves as a RMP-registered massage practictioner. LMTs can legally work at any establishment whereas RMPs are limited to spas,gyms,franchises-no Dr. offices, or other medical settings. The schools that have always taught massage and bodywork have now lost much of their student enrollment to the community colleges that now offer massage therapy as a part of their curriculum. The word that I tend to hear from the paying public is “lacking” when they describe their massage experience with most of these c.c. grads.I do agree that most times people do get what they pay for. I have always gone to the independant therapists in my area as opposed to a frachise or spa. But that’s just my choice. Blessings.
November 7th, 2010 at 4:27 am
ME is not that bad. I have my own business, and I’ve been around a while, and with overhead, you make about the same as you do working at ME. Take into account, too, that ME pays you if you get no-showed 9 times out of ten. Franchises vary, but mine pays for our continuing education, licensing, and insurance. And there are some other perks, as well.
Time is money, running own business equals time consuming.
When you are self employed you have many bosses, and many jobs- you work WAY harder. And that may be inspiring and fun for you, I can see that. But what good is $85 an hour if you only do a few massages a week. Realistically, and doing the math?
Sure ME isn’t perfect, my owners had to be “trained” to understand certain things, you do work hard but this is a hard job! Physically, there is no denying that, and ultimately YOU are responsible for speaking up and setting and enforcing your own boundaries. I’ve seen Therapists leave ME for something “better” and they do it out of silly pride, because of how others put it down. And others put it down because it’s change, that’s it and that’s all. They don’t like that ME is stiff competition, and that the industry doesn’t belong to small business owners alone anymore. But have most of these people ever worked for ME? Probably not.
And my friends who leave out of pride to find something “better” often come right back. Not because they are unskilled, we have the highest regs of any state other than NY, we are TRAINED here. Because the reality is that Spas and Chiros treat you even worse, and self employment doesn’t mean you “get to keep” all your money. Not even close.
LMTs probably DO need a union.
Still, I’ve listened to the fear mongers say how terrible ME is, and I wondered if myself and the several others I know who have worked there for years now and MADE and actual LIVING, while getting to live our calling, I wondered if we were just dillusional or something. Then I went to a ME Conference at AZ Grand Resort and met 50 other LMTs who could not say enough good things about ME and what a real blessing it was to find someplace good, finally, to hang their hats! Like I said, it’s not perfect, but what is? And really- it is pretty good.