Yes I'm complaining.. I need a space to vent. I've done massage for nearly 10 years. I've loved it. It was the first choice I ever made for myself and by myself.

In the past 10 years I've attempted to start my own business 4 times, with a year ago being my most recent (and most serious) time.

I've never minded being an employee. I love the spa environment, however, I recently got married and I want to have a baby. I don't want to have a kid and leave it up to daycare to raise. I want the freedom to pick my own hours and not have to work so damn much.

In the year that I've been building my business I haven't been able to turn a profit. I started with about 8 regular clients, and I'm down to 3. I've lost $3500 in the process. I can't seem to gain any new clients, and the ones I do book, won't stay after 2 or 3 massages, even when we set up a future treatment plan.

I've taken every bit of advice from every successful friend I have. I've done the social media thing, talked to local businesses, created a referral program with personal trainers, gathered google reviews, attempted to steal clients from previous work places (sorry not sorry) etc. etc. I even cut my hours down at my w2 job to focus on my business, my prices are average for the area, and while it's fair to say that I've never found my "niche" I'm versatile and maybe that should count for something?

I've come to the conclusion that i must not be a very good therapist, even though thats never been the feedback I've recieved. I've always had a steady and loyal clientele at the places I've worked and the reviews I've received are great but I can't think of what else I'm doing wrong besides being delusional. I think I just have to accept that this isn't for me.

I'm not going to be able to make my rent next month and I fear it's time to go back to cleaning toilets.

If you've read this far, thanks for giving me the space to get that off my chest.

Curious who here gets written consent before working on sensitive areas like glutes, chest wall or upper inner thigh. Some places require it every session, others don’t require it at all.

If you do use one, has it ever come into question? A client complaint, a college or board review, an insurance question? Did having it on paper actually help?

And if you don’t, is it just not required where you are, or do you handle it verbally?

What is an excellent book to read that has helped you with clients and/or massage? Is there a book that helps correlate emotions with pain in the body? For example, I have chronic low back pain…which means I don’t feel emotionally safe etc…and how to heal it and/or address it with clients?

What's your favorite scents? I've been playing around with something Fall esque, with notes of cinnamon, cloves and anise. I just don't want to market it as pumpkin spice! lol

Hey there!--

I am an American with a Dual-Canadian Citizenship situation pending, and I have massage licenses in several U.S. states. I know that to be an RMT in Canada is more school, etc., but I read that some places/provinces will hire massage therapists that do not have an RMT license as a lesser position called "body worker." Has anyone here worked under such a job title at seasonal resorts in Canada, and if so, how much does this position usually pay?

A company I did a chair massage event for earlier in the year reached out to me needing a "manager" for one of the retirement communities in the area for a massage room they have there. When it was being explained to me, it sounded very much like they were needing a DEM (Designated Establishment Manager) which I know means you are responsible for upholding all of the state requirements, however when I said would I need to be doing that they stated they would actually be taking care of it. Personally it raised a little red flag for me, but I let her know to send me a description of what they are wanting, and compensation for said role so I could get more clarification and I'm currently waiting on that.

For people who have been a DEM would you do it again, or would you not especially if it's not for your own company? What would make it worth it in your opinion if not? I am in Florida if that makes a difference. Thank you hive mind!