Align with The Massage Business Mama

Have you ever wondered if a career in massage therapy could provide freedom, fun, and financial success?Spoiler: It totally can.In this episode, we are joined by the amazing Krista Dicks, Canadian RMT, clinic owner, and host of The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast. With nearly two decades of experience—and a resume that includes spas, multidisciplinary clinics, race crews, and tropical destinations—Krista is living proof that massage therapy offers unmatched flexibility and opportunity. What we cover in this episode:The surprising joys of massage schoolExciting career paths (hello, cruise ships and Caribbean contracts!)Why the industry is growing fast—but we’re not training enough therapistsThe difference between the U.S. and Canadian marketsHow to build a massage career that supports your life—not the other way around Did you know?The U.S. massage industry is worth over $18 billion and projected to grow 22% between 2018 and 2028. Yet the number of therapists has only grown 4.6% in the last decade. The demand is there. Are you ready to meet it? Whether you're a seasoned pro or considering the profession for the first time, this episode will remind you why massage is a career like no other.

Ahhh, buying a home — the American dream! For many, it’s a goal woven into the fabric of our upbringing, a milestone that symbolizes stability and success. But in today’s world, especially for those of us in the massage industry, the dream of homeownership can often feel out of reach. Rising costs, fluctuating markets, and the unpredictable nature of running your own massage practice can make the process feel daunting. That’s why today’s episode is so special. Beca has some BIG news to share — she’s buying a home! Cue the celebration music: Yippee, Beca! This is such an exciting achievement and a moment of inspiration for anyone wondering if homeownership is possible for them. As Beca has navigated this milestone, she’s realized that many massage therapists feel overwhelmed by the home-buying process. The terminology, the paperwork, the financial preparation — it can all feel like too much. But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be! Today, Beca is breaking down the essentials of buying a home in a way that’s accessible and easy to understand.

Get ready to amplify your online presence and connect with your dream clients! In this episode, we're thrilled to have Stacey Hagen, a marketing and visibility coach, share her wisdom on navigating the world of social media with authenticity and purpose. Stacey dives deep into the art of showing up confidently, crafting engaging content, and attracting the right audience. Discover how to honor your strengths, share compelling personal stories, and create a magnetic online persona that resonates with those you're meant to serve. If you've ever felt the challenges of social media overwhelm or struggled to strike the right balance between marketing and passion, Stacey's insights are a game-changer. Tune in to gain actionable strategies that will empower you to shine on social media and make a lasting impact.

This episode of "Align with The Massage Business Mama" is a nugget. A gentle reminder of what we all already know! That it is important and even cool to take care of your mental health! We aim to break the stigma around mental health and encourage open conversations about our emotional well-being. It's easy to neglect our mental health in today's fast-paced world! We get caught up in the cycle of trying to care for our clients, our families, and our friends, and all of a sudden, we are neglecting ourselves. This episode addresses something especially crucial: taking care of your mental health is cool. We live in a time when self-care is gaining recognition and acceptance. Taking care of your mental health is a powerful act of self-love and empowerment. It shows that you value yourself enough to prioritize your well-being. It's cool to be proactive about your mental health. To invest in activities that bring you joy. To seek support when needed. And to break free from the outdated notion that mental health concerns should be kept silent. Taking care of your mental health is not only cool, it's also a sign of strength and resilience. In a world that often focuses on external achievements, how can we encourage others to embrace this mindset? It starts with being role models ourselves. By openly discussing our mental health journeys, sharing our self-care practices, and highlighting the positive impact they have on our lives. In doing so, we can inspire others to follow suit. We can challenge outdated norms and create a culture where mental health is not only prioritized but celebrated. We can empower individuals to embrace self-care and seek support without fear of judgment. Don't complicate self-care! It can be as simple as starting a gratitude journal, practicing meditation or mindfulness, engaging in regular physical exercise, or pursuing creative outlets that bring joy. Encouraging open conversations about mental health with friends, family, and colleagues can also normalize the topic and create a supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable seeking help. Above all, remember that you deserve to be mentally healthy and happy. Embrace self-care, seek support when needed, and never hesitate to prioritize your well-being. Taking care of your mental health is not only cool but an act of self-love that will positively impact every area of your life. Note: This podcast episode is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice. If you or someone you know is in need of immediate help, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional.

Some believe that therapists should never discount. But here at Align with The Massage Business Mama, we believe there are times when it is appropriate! NOT all the time, but certainly at times. And today, we get into our top 4 times when we think it is appropriate to discount your services.

Us massage therapists are not notoriously known for our financial savvy. Having a scarcity mindset or "Starving Healer Syndrome" unfortunately describes an awful lot of us in the healing professions! We operate from the belief (often unconscious) that we don't deserve to become wealthy or even financially comfortable from the work we perform. But Therapists, that's a lie! We deserve all that and more! A few months back, inside my membership, we were focused on retirement—a topic I often see neglected by Massage Therapists. In fact, in an informal quiz I conducted on Instagram, 65% of you said that you hadn't started planning for retirement yet. You might be saying, "Contribute towards retirement? Are you kidding me? There is nothing left over at the end of the month." And I get it. It's really hard to budget when you don't know how much is coming in. Especially in the beginning stages when income and expenses are unknown. And it's not like we have anyone contributing to a 401k on our behalf... But Therapists, there is a better way. I want to see you thrive and succeed NOT only during your career but also into your retirement!!! Which is why I invited financial literacy coach Sheri Rozeski to come chat with my membership group. This podcast episode is pieces of that conversation. Sheri has been a 1:1 financial coach for over 11 years and is passionate about helping people create positive relationships with their money. Getting on track for retirement can and should be a priority! Listen on as we discuss how to kick scarcity mindset to the curb and create abundance. We HAVE resources within our control as self-employed entrepreneurs to change our destiny! ----- Listen and Learn: How much to pay yourself. How many bank accounts to have as a solopreneur. How to eliminate financial crisis. How to continue to be your own boss. And, if you choose to tackle your money, what you give up: frustration confusion tax season loathing disappointment creeping balance on debt

In this episode of "Align with The Massage Business Mama," we unpack choosing a legal entity for your massage practice. One of the big things that trip people up at the beginning of their massage business is figuring out what legal entity to set up. Whether to be a sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, or LLC. C Corp, S corp, it can be overwhelming initially!  One thing to note is if you take no action, the IRS automatically considers you a sole proprietorship. So, if you are struggling with paralysis analysis for how to structure your business. You have already inadvertently made a decision. By failing to make any official decisions or moves to create a business entity, you are operating as a sole proprietorship. Listen on to hear more about the pros and cons of each entity.  

Maybe you've noticed some changes with our podcast lately. Beca hasn't been present in as many of the episodes. And no, that isn't because we are fighting or we are breaking up the band... In the latest episode, we share some of the reasons our format has changed. 

Subject lines are an important piece of the email marketing strategy. In this episode, we are joined by Susan Finn of "Rise Above Noise" to continue the discussion on email marketing. Susan is the "go-to" expert in the email marketing field. She helps service-based professionals scale their businesses. Find joy, flow, and ease in marketing to increase profits, save time, and protect energy.

Pregnancy is an exciting and scary time! There are so many unknowns! It is only natural to ponder questions related to the health and well-being of the baby, logistics of setting up a nursery, and how your relationship with your job will change. In the latest episode of "Align with The Massage Business Mama," we are joined by guest Emily Van Dyke @blookingfromthemuckbodywork to discuss this very topic.  Tune in to hear our top tips and tools for navigating this journey with a little more ease. 

In Episode 033: How To Think Like A Marketer guest Wendy Pitts Reeves explore 3 key concepts practitioners must understand and embrace to have a successful practice.  Originally this presentation was recorded as part of Ali’s membership program, “Massage Momentum Membership.” We have taken excerpts from this interactive experience to share in this episode. The three key concepts we explore in this episode are:  1) Acknowledge your desire.  2) Own your authority.  3) Open your mouth.  Marketing often has a sleazy stigma associated with it. After listening to this episode, our hope is that you can embrace the marketer within and learn to sell with confidence!

For some Massage Therapists, there is nothing more enticing and exciting than the idea of working with professional athletes! The prestige, honor, and challenges that come with this type of work are out of this world.  Kelly Stauffiger is one such therapist. In this episode, she talks about her journey from starting in a casino spa to working as the Massage Therapist for the Buffalo Bills.  She shares about the ebbs and flows of this type of work, compensation, and safety considerations.  With all the news about Deshaun Watson and allegations of sexual misconduct from Massage Therapists, it is timely that we chat with Kelly about the safety precautions therapists can take to avoid such confrontations in this particular niche.