Welcome!
Welcome to The First Step! My name is Claire, and I’ve been a licensed massage therapist since 2009. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of helping countless people feel better in their bodies, but I’ve also seen how overwhelming it can be for new therapists to get started. When you’re fresh out of school, it can feel like you’ve been given a key to a door you’re not sure how to open. I’ve created this blog to be a free resource for anyone in the massage industry, from students to seasoned professionals, who are looking to build a business they can be proud of. There are no affiliate links or marketing here—just information from my experience to help you find your footing.
This blog is all about that journey. We’ll walk through the things you need to think about and the steps you need to take to create and build your own massage business and brand. From getting the right education for you to navigating legal requirements and finding your first clients, we’ll break down the process into manageable steps. Starting a business can be intimidating, but with the right guidance, it’s totally achievable.
1. Finding the Right Accredited School
Choosing a massage school is a huge first step, and it can shape your entire career. It’s not just about picking the first one you see. You need to consider things like the location, whether you want to go full-time or part-time, and what kind of modalities they teach. Do you want to focus on Western modalities or Eastern, or a mix of both? And of course, you have to look at the cost. Do you have the money to pay upfront, or will you need to get a school loan? Taking the time to think about these things upfront makes for a smoother start.
2. Branding
Once you’re in school, or even when you’re done, it’s time to start thinking about your brand. This is more than just a name or a logo—it’s about what makes you unique. What do you want your business to be called? What kind of logo and colors fit your style? What’s your tagline? The most important part is figuring out your niche. Are you going to specialize in sports massage, prenatal, or something else? Knowing your “why” will guide all of these decisions and help you stand out.
3. Start-Up Costs
Getting your business off the ground requires some money, and it’s easy for costs to pile up if you aren’t prepared. Before you spend a dime, it’s a good idea to create a budget. Think about all the things you’ll need to buy—from basic supplies like sheets and lotion to setting up a studio. Then there are other costs that people often forget, like software for booking and accounting, legal fees, and continuing education courses. Having a clear budget will help you stay on track and avoid any financial surprises.
4. Legalities
This is probably the least exciting part, but it’s one of the most important. To be a professional massage therapist, you have to handle the legal stuff. You’ll need to get your state or national license and make sure you have liability insurance. You’ll also need to decide what kind of business you’re going to be—an LLC or a sole proprietorship, for example. We’ll also dive into things like getting a business bank account, setting up payment processing, and understanding your tax obligations. It might seem like a lot, but taking care of this stuff upfront will give you peace of mind down the road.
A Glimpse into the Future
The articles to come will dive deep into each of these topics, offering actionable advice and tips from my own journey. We’ll cover everything from how to set your prices and find the perfect location, to what tools you actually need, and how to get your first clients. We’ll even talk about how to take care of yourself so you don’t get burnt out. My goal is for this to be a one-stop-shop for everything you need to know to build a successful and sustainable massage business. Let’s get started!
Claire, what a fantastic introductory post! The transparency and guidance you’re offering is truly a breath of fresh air for anyone feeling overwhelmed at the start of their massage journey. The analogy of being “given a key to a door you’re not sure how to open” is perfect—it really captures the feeling after graduation.
I love how you’ve broken down the process into four clear, manageable stages: **School, Branding, Costs, and Legalities**. That structure alone takes a lot of the intimidation out of the process.
I’m particularly interested in the upcoming posts about **Branding** and **Niche**. As a newer therapist, it seems like figuring out what makes you *different* in a crowded market is one of the biggest challenges.
Do you have any quick initial advice on how a therapist can start to explore and define their niche **while they are still in school**? For example, is it about paying attention to which modalities they love practicing most, or which types of people they feel most energized by helping?
I’m definitely subscribed and looking forward to the deep dives! Thank you for being such a generous resource.
Welcome to the blogging world, Claire! As a soon-to-be massage school graduate, finding a resource like this, free of marketing and affiliate links, feels like hitting the jackpot. Thank you for using your years of experience to create this “one-stop-shop.”
I found your breakdown of the **Legal issues** particularly grounding. It’s often the most intimidating part of starting a business because it’s so far outside our comfort zone as therapists! Hearing you mention the necessity of setting up a **business bank account** and understanding **tax obligations** early on is a great motivator to get those foundational business tasks sorted before the clients start rolling in.
I’m eagerly anticipating your future article about **Start-Up Costs**. While a massage table, sheets, and lotion are obvious, I’d love to hear more about the often-forgotten, intangible costs like good **scheduling/SOAP note software** or even an adequate **website hosting and domain name**. Knowing what systems are worth the initial investment will save us a lot of headaches later on.
Thanks again for sharing your wisdom—I look forward to following along!