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Massage Employers and Staff Communication During the Pandemic

Running A Massage Therapy Practice

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In this Post: Learn helpful tips. Massage employers and staff communication during the pandemic.

COVID-19 and Massage Employers

As a business owner who employees staff, it can be super scary closing your business for the greater good. Regardless of whether it was something you choose to do on your own accord, or it was mandated. 

There is rent, recurring bills, client relations, the potential for theft (I hate even to mention this one, but…), and a whole slew of other things to think about! 

I get it. I’m also thinking about all of these things! It’s stressful! 

But what about your staff? 

Some of whom I’m willing to bet live paycheck to paycheck. Just think about how scared they must be! Maybe they couldn’t stock up on groceries and toilet paper and masks before the supply ran out because they couldn’t afford a $500 grocery bill. Perhaps they were too busy working to realize they NEEDED to stock up. 

A lot of us, myself included, were a bit clueless about the ramifications of this global crisis. Once I began to realize the extent to which this would affect me…and my staff, I jumped into action.  

I ran to the grocery store. My fridge was bare. I had just a few rolls of tp left. TP was gone, as I had been warned, but was too busy to get to sooner. I got Kleenex. People bustled through the isles with frenzy and turmoil. The manic energy brought me to tears. So many lives to be affected in so many ways! 

Massage Employers and Staff Communication During the Pandemic

So, back to your staff. How does my personal journey relate? It illustrates the need for reassurance. They need a leader—someone to guide them through the process. 

The more communication you can have with them, the more secure they will feel. Obviously, we have yet to realize all the implications, but the more we can keep staff updated on what we do know and our own intentions, the better. 

Welfare Check

It is also a good time to check-in with them to see where they are at with their basic needs. Knowing there is a problem is half the battle. Maybe they genuinely don’t have anything to eat for the next week/month. Is there some way you can help? 

A lot of people are struggling with anxiety and depression. Direct them to NAMI, the National Alliance for Mental Illness, a wonderful organization that is already responding to the growing need for help from this virus. 

Advise Them on Measures They Can Take to Protect Themselves

Some of the things I advised my staff on included;

1) Writing representatives. As the government begins to become more proactive about stimulus packages, we are in a tricky position. As independent contractors and small business owners, we may not benefit from these packages unless we make our voices heard now!

Here is the letter I sent, feel free to use it as a jumping-off point for your own letters: 

Dear Representative, 

I hope you can help – I represent a high-risk profession, massage therapists. 

As America begins to panic and the government is becoming more proactive about how to help, I am noticing that my profession, my business, and my workers are not going to benefit from any stimulus package that may be passed.

I have owned a wellness spa for the last 12 years in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Working in the service industry and touching people puts us at high risk along with medical professionals, and with tourism being the number one industry in Steamboat, we anticipate a sharp drop in work.

It appears that the stimulus package does not cover independent contractors; please be aware this is the majority of the people working in the profession of massage therapy. Many are sole proprietors of their own business or independent contractors for businesses like mine. 

Thanks for taking the time to read and make some noise! 

2) Contact Your Creditors – Many lenders are offering loan deferral programs right now. They have COVID-19 departments set up to handle these requests. Call them now to see if they will work with you in some way. 

3) Check to see if there is a Facebook page in your community to connect those in need. A lot of communities, including my own, are setting up these types of pages to communicate needs and lend helping hands. 

4) Check out the Facebook group – Massage, health practitioner, and COVID 19. A wonderful resource for staying current on all the trends massage therapists are seeing during this scary time.

5) Cut out unnecessary expenses. Since we don’t know how long we will be affected, now is the time to cut out unnecessary expenses and NOT make big purchases. 

6) Document your losses. The more you have recorded, the better position you will be in to recoup some of your losses if and when relief arrives. 

Let Them Know What You Are Doing

Are you planning on doing a deep clean of your workplace during the hiatus? Maybe you have odd jobs they can help you with from home. Are you delivering checks early? Assure them that if they need anything that they can reach out to you, and you will do the best you can to help.

When we don’t have answers, our minds can start to wander to dark places. Communication may be the key to ensure your staff comes back to work for you once the dust of this storm has settled. 

Don’t panic; look at this as a time to reflect on the direction you want to take your business in the future. This slower pace could be just the time you need to make the changes you have been hoping to make for a while. 

Continued Resources for Massage Employers and Staff Communication During the Pandemic

You may also like:

How to Explain to Your Massage Clients That You Will Temporarily Be Closing Because of COVID-19

How to Support Your Massage Therapist During COVID-19 Crisis – A post to share with clients.

Massage

Author Profile

Ali Boehm
- Boulder College of Massage Therapy Graduate
- Nationally Certified through NCBTMB
- Colorado Licensed Massage Therapist
- Certified CranialSacral Level 1 through Upledger
- Certified Herbal Therapist through Nutrition Therapy Institute
- Certified Fujian Massage through Barefoot Masters
- Fort Lewis College - Majored in Art, Minored in Business Administration
- 6 Year Winner of Best Massage Therapist for "Best of The Boat" Competition
- Massage Business Owner Since 2008
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  • Podcast Episode 050: Show Up & Shine on Social Media with Stacey Hagen
  • Negotiating A Massage Lease
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  • Podcast Episode 049: Diversifying Your Income with Soul Care Coaching with Christine Boye
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the.massage.business.mama

the.massage.business.mama
My son is becoming quite the portrait photographer My son is becoming quite the portrait photographer. Don't you think? 

Today is moving day for my business, and I'm finding myself quite sad! 

I've been in my current location for a little over three years. It was a COVID move that brought me to my current location. For FOREVER I was month to month, not fully committing to the space. 

And here we are 3+ years later, finally moving to a space that feels more like home, more aligned with my goals, more appropriate. 

Yet I'm sad!

I'll miss my neighbors and my current routine. I've helped so many people in this space. I've spent some life here! 

So today, I'm just going to feel the feels:)

#themassagebusinessmama #massagestudent #massagelife #massagetherapist #massagetherapistlife #massagebusinessowner
A few years ago, when I still had therapists worki A few years ago, when I still had therapists working for me, we had an unfortunate occurrence.

A young woman who had recently been sexually assaulted came in to receive massage. She was trying to regroup and recover from her negative touch experience through massage. 

Her therapist insisted that she remove her bra.

Under "normal" circumstances, this wouldn't have been a huge deal. Not appropriate, but not a huge deal. But in this situation, it was catastrophic.

The young woman was extremely sensitive. The recent assault left her jumpy, nervous, and unable to stand up for herself.

She didn't feel comfortable speaking up and spent an hour feeling further violated. 

I was heartbroken a few days later when the situation was brought to my attention! 

Our job as therapists is to make clients feel comfortable. We have a responsibility to tap into our intuitive sense to see when our client's unspoken needs are not being met.

WE ARE NEVER TO TELL SOMEONE THEY MUST TAKE OFF MORE CLOTHING THAN THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE!

Chances are good we are working on people with turbulent touch histories. We need to be sensitive!

We must be vigilant in our observations. Sensitive in our approach. And avoid getting stuck in ruts. Each client has a complexity of emotions and past histories that they bring to the table, and it is our job to be aware of this range of experiences.

Our job is to develop tools that allow us to give fabulous treatments regardless of whether or not a client is fully clothed because healthy touch is an essential healing tool! 

#massagetherapist #massagestudent #themassagebusinessmama #massagetherapyproblems #massageentrepreneur #massagepreneur
How do you know you are a “Massagepreneur?” # How do you know you are a “Massagepreneur?”

#massagepreneur #themassagebusinessmama #massagepodcast #massagetherapist #massagelife #massagelifestyle #massagestudent #massagecoach #massagegoddess #massage
Setting your massage rates is one of the most diff Setting your massage rates is one of the most difficult things to determine in the beginning of your massagepreneur journey.

If you have yet to determine your rates, I know this might feel daunting and that you have undoubtedly spent much time lamenting over it, but now is the time to set your prices once and for all! 

However, before you arbitrarily pick a number out of thin air, I want you to do a little research/homework/reflection. 

Setting rates is a tricky thing.

Charge too little, and you will be in the poor house. Charge too much, and you risk pricing yourself out of the market. 

BUT it is important to note that often people perceive those with lesser prices as less than therapists. Charging a higher price might actually make you more appealing. 

Oh, they charge a lot, they must be good! 

Food for thought.

#massagepreneur #massagetherapist #themassagebusinessmama #massagebusiness #massagerates #massagestudent
Have you ever heard, "No publicity is bad publicit Have you ever heard, "No publicity is bad publicity?" While it isn't entirely true, there is something to this notion!

Lately, I have been encouraging therapists to contact their local publications with press releases to get featured in their local news sources. 

While promoting yourself in this way can be intimidating, it IS your job as a business owner to put yourself out there and ensure you are being seen! 

Let's first talk briefly about what a press release is. A press release is a tool you write to a news outlet to announce something newsworthy that you want them to cover in their publication. The purpose of a press release is to get coverage and get noticed by a target audience.

Some Ideas for Press Releases Include:

🖤Opening Your Business
🖤Adding Unique Modalities
🖤Classes or Events You Are Hosting
🖤Touch Deprivation and Massage Benefits

Steps Involved: 

1) Identify who to address your press release to. 
2) Properly format your release. 
3) Include useful and timely statistics. 
4) Make your hook obvious.
5) Supply high-quality images. 

When you successfully follow these steps, you will be amazed as your name and image gets shared all over town! 

If you choose to reach out to your local news sources through a press release, I would LOVE to hear how it goes for you or has gone for you in the past! Please share!!! 

#massagetherapist #themassagebusinessmama #massagepreneur #massagestudent #massagenews #massagebusiness
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