Massage Therapy Business Plan


You're ready to start your successful massage business. What first? Make a massage therapy business plan.

If you think business plans are stodgy, start to think of a massage business plan as a living guide to get you from where you are to where you want to go. Plans can change, but without one you are likely to find yourself wandering aimlessly and being one of the many massage therapists who leave the profession in less than five years.

Sample Massage Therapy Business Plan


Here's a sample massage business plan with suggested topics to consider. Change or add to this plan as appropriate for your desired massage business.

Definition and Overview of the Business


Do you have massage experience? If so, what and how will you use it to build your business? If not, what type of massage practice do you want? Also ask yourself:

  1. Who is my ideal client? Do I want to massage pregnant women or people who have been in auto accidents? Serious athletes or people dealing with cancer or other serious illness? Will I accept insurance?
  2. Where do I want to offer my massage? My own office? Mobile? Rent space in a chiropractic or other healthcare clinic?

Positioning Statement

How do you want people to see your massage practice? For example:

  • I offer massage therapy to relieve stress and promote well-being and health.
  • I help people who have been in accidents return to pain-free functioning.
  • I offer comforting massage to people with serious illness.

Services Offered

What types of massage do you offer? Do you offer other services such as spa treatments?

Philosophy

Why are you doing massage? What's important about it? How do you interact with clients?

Unique Features and Differential Advantage

What makes you different from other massage therapists? The more you can differentiate yourself, the easier it'll be to market your services.

Purpose, Priorities, and Goals


What do you want in your life and in your massage business? It's a good idea to set both one-year goals and three to five-year goals. You can always change them if you find yourself headed in the wrong direction, but it's important to start by pointing yourself in a specific direction.

This sample is from the one-year goals and priorities I set in one of my massage therapy business plans:

1. I continue to set a strong foundation for my career success and build a strong client base.
  • I spend at least eight hours a week marketing my business.
  • By September 2002, I am consistently doing 15+ hours of massage per week.


2. I provide professional and superior massage therapy.
  • I am fully present and provide the appropriate modalities for my clients’ needs.
  • I keep appropriate records and review my client’s files before each session.
  • My equipment is in excellent condition.

3. I continually further my skills through reading and attending workshops.

4. I earn sufficient income to meet my wants and needs.
  • I gross at least $ from massage in (this year).
  • I make and keep a budget.
  • I review my finances on a weekly and monthly basis.

5. I abide by the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, ethics, and compassion.
  • I abide by a code of ethics.
  • I have clear, written business policies.I ask clear, open-ended, nonjudgmental questions of my clients.
  • I only practice within my scope of knowledge, abilities, and the law.
  • I maintain confidentiality.

6. I actively educate the public about massage.
  • I send a quarterly newsletter to my clients.
  • I write articles for publication.

7. I take care of myself.
  • I receive weekly massage.
  • I practice proper body mechanics.
  • I breathe fully and freely.
  • I exercise regularly.
  • I eat healthy foods.
  • Every day I do at least one thing just for me.
  • I establish regular working hours.
  • I set goals on a regular basis.
  • I have at least one full day off per week.

8. I have an excellent marketing plan.
  • I actively market my practice at least eight hours per week.
  • I participate in cooperative marketing projects.
  • I develop strategic partnerships.
  • I review/update my marketing plan monthly.
  • I read books and articles on practice building.

9. My office systems are efficient.
  • I do client follow-up weekly.
  • I update Quicken and my tracking sheets at least weekly.
  • I am part of an ongoing business support group.

Financial


What are your startup costs? Think initial rent, supplies, marketing, phone/internet setup, etc. How will you pay for these start-up costs?

What are your on-going expenses? For example, rent, supplies, marketing costs, phone, continuing education, licensing.

How much money do you need to bring in each month to meet your financial needs? (If you have another source of income (job, spouse, trust fund) you have more leeway than if massage will be your only source of income.) Be realistic. One reason so many massage therapists leave the profession is financial.

If you have trouble with money and numbers, get help from someone who understands the massage business.

Marketing


A detailed massage marketing plan is an ESSENTIAL part of a massage therapy business plan.

Start by deciding on your marketing goals. For example, a sample marketing statement is "The purpose of my marketing is to build a client base so that I am consistently doing xx hours of massage each week and am fully booked at least a week (2 weeks? A month?) in advance."

More massage marketing information.

Now that you have a massage business plan, set aside time once a month to review it and assess where you are. Make changes as appropriate.