This is going to be in honor of her memory. For all the things she’s done for you and your siblings. You’re going to call it “Cecilia’s Bliss” after your mom’s name. She passed away a couple of months ago after battling cancer. You had to quit your job and take care of her. She moved out of her house and stayed with you in the extra bedroom downstairs. She enjoyed the quick rubs and sometimes the long massages you gave her. She said you were right in choosing to be a licensed physical therapist.
You’re now scouting for contractors who can do home remodeling for your place in Salt Lake City. The initial phase is to convert your mom’s room to Cecilia’s Bliss Massage Therapy. Since you’re a licensed PT, you’ve decided to start your business at home. You have the skillset, but you have questions about starting the business. What does it take to operate a small massage therapy service at home?
An Overview of the Massage Therapy Industry
The healthcare sector has been a growth sector for 2018, mainly because of the improving economy and individual disposable income. As of August 2018, the massage therapy industry has earned $15 billion in revenue. The number of businesses is also on an upward trend, with nearly 241,100 spread across America.
It’s About Enhancing Health
Massage therapy is all about enhancing an individual’s health by rubbing, stroking, and applying hand and finger pressure on their muscles. The aim is to relieve the body of stress and to achieve a relaxed state. You know this skills part. Here are a few things you should be aware of when running a business.
- Join a group. Like many professions, massage therapists also have a professional association. Make sure that you join. This is good for networking and to know fellow business owners. Associations can be there to provide you with advice about the industry, and they can also give relevant certifications, which can boost your credibility.
- Understand the cost. Doing it home can be a brilliant move. You will be saving roughly $750 per month on rent. Prepare to spend $300 to upwards of $900 for a quality massage table and bolster. At some point, you will need specialized bolsters and wedges (e.g., for pregnant women), and the cost will be between $150 to $250.
- Get insurance. There’s always the possibility of an unsatisfied customer threatening to sue. You need to protect yourself under this type of situation. Getting a liability insurance policy will be useful. Likewise, get health insurance for yourself in case you get injured and unable to do your work.
- Carving a niche. The spectrum of potential clients is broad. Possible client focus can be stressed executives, athletes, or pregnant women. In terms of the therapy service itself, you can also choose from aromatherapy massage, deep tissue massage, relaxation massage, or sports massage. There are more options. It’s key that you start with a simple niche and grow from there if necessary.
- Your back story. Every business needs to tell a story. Sometimes, this is how customers make a permanent connection to your company and become returning customers. Be ready to tell the story about Cecilia’s Bliss. Make it about the tribute and not about the illness. Create positive energy around the story. This will be an excellent marketing piece for your business.
You’re going to have to figure out your pricing. This varies by region. Research your competitors in the area to position yourself competitively. Writing a business plan is critical, of course. But these steps will set the right tone for you.
