Can we talk about setting up your own workspace or clinic. Marketing, location, resources... Any advice is appreciated.

This is my 21st year as a Massage Therapist, and I tell my students that where they perform their massages is the most critical, difficult decision they will have to make.

Even though it is more money, working in an established clinic can be a good idea. For one thing, it's safer. Always good to have other people within earshot in case things get weird. Plus, you can make friends with other MT's there; I've done a ton of couples massages with the MT that worked in the room next to mine. Got new clients from him when he couldn't see them, he referred others to me when they wanted kinds of massages that he didn't do (like pre-natal, and oil-free), plus it was someone to talk to when we had down time. I loved working with a couple of other people nearby.

I do not care for living social or Groupon at all. I think in general, they are not successful for building your practice. In my experience, it just wasn't worth my time to do $15 massages. I didn't get any good, regular clients, only people who were looking for a bargain or something else altogether. I've heard of people who took 100 Groupons but could never schedule them, and it became a mess.

I way, way prefer to do my own laundry. And you will do tons of it. Laundry service is not only expensive, but it comes back folded weird and kind of... crispy. I'm particular about my laundry being soft, very clean, and not using strong detergents or fabric softener. I just couldn't find any place that did a good job with it, but I did use it a few times when I had an emergency.

When I first started, my clients came from 3 main places: my internship, other MT's that I knew, and my hairdresser. We started a thing where I gave her a massage, and she cut my hair. She became very successful, and I gave her a bunch of my cards. Really blew my business way up. I also got referrals from an attorney friend, a naturopathic doc, and my own family doctor sent me some clients, too. Everybody I met was interested in Massage Therapists, and they all sent me clients. Former bosses sent me clients. It was great.

Good luck to you. This is an exciting time.

/r/massage Thread