by Selena Belisle, Founder/Instructor, CE Institute LLC
Massage therapists experience a very high burn-out rate amongst professionals. We believe the redundancy and monotony of massage practice affects our burn-out rates. As such, we're creating an educational series for massage therapists to strengthen their massage practice for career longevity, and one of the ways we can strengthen our desire to work is by changing our surroundings.
Some massage therapists change careers while looking for something different. We would have loved for those practitioners to make a serious change in their work environment prior to exiting the industry, or starting over in a new one. What we're seeking is a transformation. Some LMTs are transforming their jobs into other careers, and leaving a job they wanted so bad that they spent a minimum of 6+ months in school full time just to achieve it - massage therapy! So why not transform your surroundings to create a whole new sensation for both you and your customers?
Did you know that some of the most expensive and exclusive spas in Europe are in the basement of their building? They are dark spaces, void of windows, but still manage to help their clients feel heavenly. So how do they do that? It's by creating surroundings that make us feel peaceful and wonderful and everything we are seeking out of massage or spa service. I would know, I've had massage and spa services at all of them listed here!
Below are website links to these premium spas that you can view in their basement setting. Of course most of us do not have the budget to put a commercial swimming pool in our basement, but at least this provides the jest of ideas that we can make more out of our massage treatment space that perhaps we thought possible:
- Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris: (pictured next/below) https://www.fourseasons.com/paris/spa/
- Ritz Paris: https://www.ritzparis.com/hotel/paris/ritz-club-spa
- Claridge's Spa, London, England : https://www.claridges.co.uk/spa/
Below are images of a bombed out church from World War II in downtown London, England. Do these images make you feel the war and violence? Or do you see the peaceful and relaxing garden they made out of it, where people are enjoying the Summer sun, taking a break amongst the ruins, talking, enjoying themselves and some afternoon lunch:
That garden made out of ruins in the City of London, England is called the Christ Church Greyfriars.
We provide these examples because there are quite a few massage therapists today working in fairly dismal conditions or surroundings. For older businesses such as a hospital or chiropractor's office, massage may have been added after the business was established, so the massage treatment room(s) might have been an afterthought and received less than quality space. However, less than quality space does not have to be bad. These examples here show that war ruins and the basement can be elevated to incredibly wonderful spaces, and we hope you will be inspired to improve your work space too.
Botanicals, lighting, decorating and more can all be easily achieved with the right touch. We don't need to hire interior designers or install a pool to make our workplace wonderful. There's plenty of assets available today that are affordable and can inspire different feelings with a little bit of thought, time and patience to put it all together.
This year, I listened to a recording at St. Paul's Cathedral in London, which is only a block away from this garden that was made out of WWII ruins. St. Paul's Cathedral claims to be the first church to install visual art, which shows video on four TV screens of different spiritually contexted depictions. During St. Paul's audio recording that highlighted their unique visual art pictured below, they stated something wonderful: "Art is a universal language."
Now we're not suggesting that you install TVs in your massage establishment either. We're simply showing these out-of-the-box ideas to hopefully stimulate some of your own.
Have you ever had experiences where you didn't feel connected with your client? Perhaps there was a language barrier? Or maybe the client is used to a different therapist and unhappy about seeing a new one? Maybe they are scoffing at the price you charge for your service? Taking pride in your surroundings that might include inspiring artwork for peace and relaxation could be a new connection for you and a client. Wouldn't it be wonderful to find appealing artwork that you could enjoy everyday, and use to create new connections with new clients?
I have a personal story to add to this experience of changing your surroundings to strengthen your massage therapy career. Many years ago after my motorcycle accident, when it was determined by the doctors who said I would never work or walk again (they were wrong), I rented a bunch of offices in an old office building to create a group massage therapy establishment and alternative health care clinic. My friends helped me paint the offices in different pastel colors, and then we all dunked our hands in the paint and put our handprints on the walls of the back staircase from one floor to another in all the different colors of our newly painted pastel treatment rooms. Every time I had to climb those stairs with my broken bones, I would see all those handprints and know that my friends helped me set up that practice and I enjoyed seeing that. Fast forward 10 years where I employed a bunch of therapists that never knew how bad off I was after the accident, and they just wanted a fresh look in the office with no handprints on the walls or pastels. I didn't listen to their requests because I was too attached to the work my friends and I did as a group to paint and decorate my new career as an establishment manager after the accident. Then, I went away for a school trip to the far east to study ancient medicine. When I returned a month later, I found that my general manager had taken a couple thousand dollars out of my business account and painted over my two floors of offices, and installed some new carpet and all new curtains too. I walked into my own business with complete shock, not knowing this had been done! Now most managers would be fired for spending that type of money without their boss's consent, especially when they knew their boss didn't want those changes. But when I saw how happy my staff was with the changes, I couldn't be upset. I didn't realize how important it was for my staff to make those changes, and I'm very glad today that my manager knew it and made them for all of us. The thing is, my manager knew how important it was to me to keep my staff happy. She felt that we needed to breathe new life into our group practice, and she was right. The refresh of our establishment literally rejuvenated many of our careers, and our clients loved the new feel too. Some of us don't want or like change, but change is often necessary. This is just one example of many to show this is true.
To transform your massage or spa business on a budget, look to your local thrift stores or salvation army. Discount retailers such as TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Home Goods, Ross, Target and even Walmart sell wall hangings, decorations and art at low prices. Watch for sales and check the reduced price aisles too. Even eBay might be an option, especially if there's a decent return policy if you do not connect with whatever you purchase! Get some friends to help and look up your local garage, lawn and tag sales. You'll never know what you'll find in these places, but hopefully something will speak to you. Someone's discards are another person's treasure! Perhaps you'll make new inspiring memories like I experienced with my friends' contributions. Don't forget something as simple as a can of fresh paint, new curtains and other visuals can transform your workspace into something new too.
The following depicts a spa and massage establishment that was built underground in the basement of a stone building in central Paris. They turned what looked like death's dungeon into a peaceful and private oasis away from busy city life. And based upon their prices which were excellent, such as starting a mini spa package at 99 euro, it sounds and feels like they were able to keep their rent expenses quite low when you compare their prices to the rest of the St. Germain area. We did not use a flash with these pictures which are not of the best quality as to not annoy the other present guests enjoying this unique space and experience:
This is the main corridor through the main area where treatment rooms plentiful treatment rooms and showers line both sides of it:
A relaxing area sits adjacent where guests can refresh themselves with water and teas:
They have promoted retail throughout the spa with posters, and by showcasing oils in one-gallon vats:
They've put finishing touches throughout the basement by lining the stairs with no-flame candles and other unique decorations and touches:
They even built in a large jacuzzi spa with relaxation area in the basement. Please notice how they left the original stone in place, and then decorated around the existing stone surroundings:
Then for the ultimate spa and relaxation experience, they provided extensive private shower, relaxation and changing areas for guests:
So if this can be made out of a medieval basement of one-time filth, imagine what can be done with your place? The Parisian basement spa repeatedly referenced in the pictures above has a lovely shared outdoor courtyard space which is a wonderful asset to those who might be conscientious or deterred by business in the basement. Adding a foliage covered trellis could provide additional treatment service area for those who prefer outdoor services, and a better treatment option if a service provider finds themselves working during an airborne viral pandemic such as COVID-19.
There are many reasons why massage therapists should take pride in their work surroundings, and there's many things you can do at various prices to improve your work and career areas as well. In our series where we will share information about strengthening massage careers and the overall industry, please take a moment to think about how you could improve your workspace for untold benefit. Let's make stronger connections in our careers and enjoy them too!
