Massage Therapy in Denver feedback (hair salon, hotels, closing)

[Bodywork]

I'm a Massage Therapist considering relocation from Boston.
I have heard that the Massage Discount places have had a negative impact on the local Massage Therapists being able to make a living in this profession.
I am looking for comments from the clients side, as well as non-discount Therapists. Are there really any clients that will trade their experienced therapist for a cheaper one? You always get what you pay for, personally I would hate to feel like I just threw $ 39.00 out the window.

[2bindenver]

personally, i found a good one, and I'll stick with her as long as I can. Same with my other service providers. I have been seeing my dentist for 15 years, the vet for 11, my eye doctor for 11....Once you find someone who cares about the outcome for you....

[Baltic_Celt]

BodyWork -

A very successful physical therapist in private practice in Newton, MA gave me this advice years ago, when I was her patient. It's been invaluable.

She wanted to branch out on her own, so mailed a brochure about her services, a short questionnaire with yes/no questions (asking about direct patient referrals) & a postage paid envelope to 50 Boston doctors. She decided that w/20 positive responses, she could go into private practice, got them & has been in biz for 15-yrs. Note: she suggests enclosing a postcard or a "yes/no" check-off questionnaire so it's quick & easy for the receiver.

In the 90's, I was considering moving to FL to do self-employed holistic work. With her advice, I wrote my own brochure using MS Publisher, found my mailing list by going to yahoo yellow pages & printed it w/MS Excel. My q's were, e.g., "After reading my resume, would you be interested in referring patients to my office?" & "Would you be interested in me working out of your office?". I mailed them to 100 massage clinics/chiropractors/yoga studios. I had 38 positive responses at $1/mailing (including paper/ink cartridges/postage). This gave me a great opportunity to test the waters before jumping in & moving.

So, perhaps you can do something similar in Denver? As a start, perhaps mailing to high-end spas or even large companies, who sometimes hire LMT's & even hairdressers to come in once/mo for the day for employees, will get your foot in the door, before you branch out on your own. I know a woman who teaches aerobics at large co's during the mornings & another who teaches yoga & they both make a nice living. The former secured her jobs by pounding the pavement & charming companies (this began in the '80's when this was unheard of in corporate America). All you need is 1 job & once they see how good you are, I'm sure corporate referrals will gain you further clients. The latter worked in the corporate world, had a back injury, had to leave work, healed herself thru yoga, took teacher training & returned to work in the corporate environment (thru her former office contacts) by helping others to destress/stretch/prevent injuries thru yoga. Her selling point was her own healed body, as they'd seen her pain firsthand. She began at 1 office & it built from there. Your options are limited & you can check into others - hair salons, health clubs, hotels, B&B's, etc. I had a great massage therapist in Seattle who was affiliated with local B&B's/hotels & she was doing quite nicely.

Lastly, I printed my questionnaire on bright yellow paper as I wanted it to stand out, present a happy image & thought bright, sunny FL & yellow would go hand in hand. My brochure was cream with matching envolopes with Raphael's angels, as I thought this went hand in hand with healing (I am a Reiki Master Teacher & have 1/2-dozen certifications in various modalities). Also, my PT told me to put a headshot on my brochure as people will see "you look friendly & professional".

In any event, don't place all your stock in what one person told you, as they may be addressing their own personal experience & you may find it's far different after mailing 50 brochures. Maybe you just need to target another audience & that will make all the difference in the world? That $50 for 50 mailings will be well-spent & supply you with some answers to help you better decide, just within weeks!

Best of luck... Baltic_Celt

[Bodywork]

...to both, 2bindenver and Baltic Celt! Thank you so much for taking the time. This is great advice. I think I read the entire Forum when I first found it. I have never set foot into Colorado, but feel like I have learned so much already. Just the fact that there are people like you that take the time to help someone they don't even know puts Denver in a very good light! I like it already!
I am at the very beginning of my search to find a beautiful place to live and BE.
I AM a Massage Therapist, it's not just something I do. Bodywork has been the most incredible addition to my life and if I should ever hit the lottery, I will give bodywork for free. I have built a very steady clientele in the 2 years since I graduated. My gut feeling is that I shouldn't have any problems doing the same in Denver, but it's really great to have the opportunity to bounce my thoughts off someone that actually lives there.
I REALLY appreciate your efforts. I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions in the future.
Bodywork