Gwinnett College-Sandy Springs issued the following announcement on August 04.
Interested in starting a massage therapy business? Did you know that you must become licensed to practice massage in most states? Before you get a license, you must complete a massage therapy program at a vocational school. The good news, however, is the massage therapy program will prepare you for the license and then you are ready to start your massage business.
Step #1: Complete Massage Therapy Program
So, to start off on your journey to becoming a massage entrepreneur, you must complete a massage therapy program at a vocational school. Most massage therapy programs can be completed in months, rather than years. The key massage techniques that you will learn include Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, neuromuscular therapy, chair massage, reflexology, sports massage and hot stone massage. Additional curriculum focuses on anatomy, physiology and business and success techniques.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is the foundation for many different massage therapies. As a massage therapist, you will perform various massage strokes, including effleurage (gliding) strokes, petrissage (kneading) strokes, friction, tapotement (percussive) strokes, and vibration. The Swedish massage techniques can be personalized for each client by using different continuity, depth, direction, duration, excursion, intention, pressure, rhythm, sequence, speed, and touch.
Deep Tissue Massage
A massage technique with a foundation in Swedish massage, deep tissue massage offers deep pressure to release muscle tension. The focus of this technique is on the surroundings of muscles, bones and joints including the muscle tissue, tendons, and fascia. Deep tissue massage is used to improve posture and increase range of motion. It also helps break up scar tissue that forms in muscles from injury, poor posture, inflammation, and repetitive motion.
Neuromuscular Therapy
Neuromuscular therapy is a form of soft tissue manipulation that helps treat chronic pain of the muscular and nervous system. Neuromuscular therapy focuses on trigger points, improving circulation, posture and biomechanical issues caused by repetitive movement.
Chair Massage
Chair massage is a mobile way for you to help clients. The massage starts by having them lean forward with their head resting on a pad. You can massage the neck, shoulders, arms, hands and back. Since it is mobile, you can help clients in many different environments including at an office, casino, mall, or other retail location. Chair massage helps lower anxiety, increase circulation, relieve muscle pain and headaches, and reduce stress.
Reflexology
With reflexology, you will use your hands, thumbs, and fingers to stimulate areas of the client’s hands and feet. Reflexology theorizes that different pressure points on the hands and feet correspond to different parts of the body. The pressure on the hands and feet helps relay messages of relaxation to connected parts of the body. Reflexology helps relieve tension, improve circulation, and support of the function of different areas of the body.
Sports Massage
Sports massage can help prepare athletes for an event and reduce recovery time while training. It can also help weekend warriors that need relief from extreme exercise. Sports massage therapy deals with the health of muscle and connective tissue and helps with range of motion, tone, symmetry, increased circulation, balance of muscle and quality of posture. Sports massage helps reduce muscle tension, promote relaxation, reduce muscle hypertonicity, increase range of motion, decrease muscle stiffness and fatigue after exercise, decrease muscle soreness, reduce swelling, and enhance athletic performance.
Hot Stone Massage
Hot stone massage uses smooth, basalt mineral stones which are heated and combined with oil. This massage technique is designed to relieve muscle stiffness and reduce fatigue while restoring body energy. The hot stones may be placed in many different places on the body, including spine, back, neck, arms, legs, and feet. Placement depends on muscles stiffness. You may hold the hot stones as they massage the body using long strokes, circular movements, vibration, tapping and kneading.
Step #2: Apply for a Massage License
In most states, including Georgia, you must be licensed to perform massage on clients. The Georgia Board of Massage Therapy administers the licensing procedure to become licensed. A prerequisite to getting a license is the completion of a massage therapy program at a school that is recognized by the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy. Applicants must also provide a proof of liability insurance and payment of application fee.
There are other licenses and tax prep that you must do to start a massage therapy business. From business licenses and fictitious business name filing to sales tax and IRS tax reporting. It is encouraged that you work with an experienced accountant, so you are fully licensed and abiding by all federal, state and county ordinances.
Step #3: Get Financing
There are many ways to finance a massage therapy business. From friends and family to bank loans. Some online loan companies are also offering microloans for those that need start up capital for a massage business. One of the most important source of financing for your business is the Small Business Administration (SBA). In addition to loans and grants, the SBA offers additional information and business topics to improve your chances of success with a business plans, tips on launching and managing your massage business, and the best way to grow your small business.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development also offers many different bank loans and grants for small business startups. They offer a state small business credit initiative (SSBCI), micro loans, the city of Atlanta loan program, green loans, rural business loans, federal grants, and foundations that support small businesses in Georgia.
Step #4: Attract Clients
The most important step to a successful massage business is attracting and retaining clients. There are many ways to attract clients to your new massage business. Your cheapest and best advertising is word of mouth. Have your friends and family members sing your praises to everyone they know. This will help you begin attracting clients. Then, create a website, Yelp listing and social media profiles. Many people will look to the Internet to find a massage business they can trust. Finding you on their favorite review or social media site will entice them to learn more.
Once you attract clients, make sure to offer them great customer service. A happy client is great word-of-mouth advertising. Add their testimonies to your website and encourage them to submit reviews to local directories like Yelp. The more people that learn about your fabulous business, the bigger your clientele will become. Remember, tt is always cheaper to retain a customer than to attract a new one.
Original source can be found here.
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