Alison Shaw runs Ripple Massage, a mobile massage Day Spa in Australia. She kindly agreed to answer some of our hows and why about running her practice.
Why did you decide to start your own practice?
I wanted to chase that ethereal work/life balance. Haven’t yet achieved it, but thought i would have a better chance than if I worked for someone else. Also I love making people happy, I get a real kick out of it, and what better way than by having a massage and beauty business! There is lots more information on what we do on our website.
What was the most difficult part about starting your business?
Probably juggling all the many things needed to make the business successful in the early years, doing all the book work, marketing, sales etc as well as doing all the massage treatments myself.
What’s the best part about starting your business?
Doing something that I love, creating something unique, and bringing in unique massage and beauty treatments from other countries and introducing them here to Australia. One of these was the chocolate massage which has become really popular and which I brought back from Spain.
What’s the best way you’ve found to market your business?
Word of mouth beats any other form of marketing. We aim to really provide exceptional customer service and exquisite treatments and making our guests happy. Our referral rate is really high from our clients as a result.
What sets you apart from other RMTs?
Probably our unique product and massage treatments and our customer service.
What are two pieces of advice you’d give to someone who’s considering starting their own practice?
Be prepared to work really hard and put in a lot of hours, and do something unique, don’t just be a pale imitation of another company.
What is the one thing you do with or for your clients to connect and create a deeper meaning in the work you do?
All the added treatments we put into our packages and our follow up with our clients.
You’re talking to ‘you’ five years from now. What would you tell yourself?
Relax! Keep doing what you are doing and you will be successful.
Alison is the owner of Ripple Massage, Day Spa and Beauty, a mobile day spa business in Australia that brings massage and beauty to your doorstep.
—
What have your experiences been starting a practice? Are there any people you’d like to hear interviewed? Other questions you’d like to know the answers to? Leave them in the comments!