I just opened a massage practice in Marlborough, Massachusetts. I rent my space from a dentist whose office is next door. One of my big interests while in school was temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) and how well massage can help. Ironically, I ended up forming a professional referral relationship with the dentist. Now, about 20 percent of my business is TMJD patients referred by my landlord. I, in turn, try to refer her as much as possible. It has worked wonderfully, so far.
Jeff Scott
Marlborough, Massachusetts
We are now sharing an office with an acupuncturist in these more trying economic times, thus we are able to offer higher quality treatments at a more affordable price for our customers. Santa Fe is one of the massage capitals of the world and what makes us different is our years of experience and also being able to
refer clients to each other within the holistic healthcare field. Clients love being able to receive massage and acupuncture within one office with exceptionally experienced practitioners.
Robin Berrie
Santa Fe, New Mexico
After partnering with veterinarians and physical therapists, I found my dream job. I work as a canine rehabilitation practitioner. My job consists of evaluation of neurologic and orthopedic patients and treatment. Treatment consists of massage, heat/cryotherapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, underwater treadmill, and therapeutic exercise. I love my job!
Taisha Gonzalez
Yonkers, New York
I tell everyone I meet that I am one of the luckiest people in the world. Especially when it comes to my career. A partnership made with a family physician has been the best move I ever made in my massage career. I not only have a professional atmosphere in which to work. I also have a wonderful support staff that assists in scheduling, billing, and emotional support. All of which makes my clients feel safe, well cared for, and comfortable. So much so that they go to their other healthcare providers and tell them about my practice and the services I offer. This, in turn, has led to an impressive list of referring physicians and orthopedic surgeons, and a very fruitful practice.
Angela Barker
Milton, West Virginia
I am fairly new to the business. I asked another therapist if he would be interested in renting one of my two rooms. He agreed, and gave me $250 for each of the two months it was working out for him. Then he said business was slow, and he would just like to rent hourly. I said I understand ... it was slow for me too.
A couple months later when I decided to advertise in the phonebook, I offered to put his name and phone number under my business with the condition that he would bring the clients to my place and rent from me ... just hourly or monthly, whichever. Also he would give me $20 per month for ad expenses.
Boy, am I a dummy. He brings about one client per month into massage at my place ($10 fee per hour) and no $20 per month. This has been a lesson for me.
Anonymous
Indiana
Partnering with others can have its advantages and disadvantages. I work in a group with three other therapists and a chiropractor. The advantage is you can ask for advice on treatment for clients, especially if they have been in the business for more than 10 years. You get a great mentorship from them. They will show you the ropes about the business and how they became successful. The disadvantage is that you can go on the back burner when a new person comes in. New clients are not divided equally between the therapist, and there becomes favoritism among certain staff members. So I guess it depends on how you look at a group of therapists.
Anonymous
Buffalo, New York
I have actually been on both sides of this topic. On one side, teaming up with other LMTs has been very beneficial as far as trading techniques, referring clients to each other, and even working together with couples and just having fun. On another side, you have those who would really just rather make $$ off of your talent and your abilities and make sure that they get some portion by trying to make a way to “help you make money” (as long as I get my cut). We are all in this together, and if you are a really loved therapist the potential is incredible. If only we would get past the greed, we would realize that there is more happiness and wealth in actually caring for one another and helping the world become a better place to live. Who else can create in another human being the state
of relaxation, peace, and kindness, than another human being?
RM
Albuquerque, New Mexico
I am a Pilates instructor and owner of a pilates studio. I have been partnering with other professionals in unconventional ways for years and more often than not it is very profitable. I have gained clients and friendships. When I say partnering, I don’t mean that I’ve shared half my business with another Pilates instructor. Instead, I have gotten in touch with people through mutual friends and begun teaching Pilates classes at their facilities. If the energy is right, we’ll run the class again and again.
For example, for the last three summers I’ve been teaching Pilates classes at a historic opera house in upstate New York, where many interesting people visit their weekend houses. When the summer ends, most people I met all summer continue practicing Pilates with me in my studio. I have a similar situation with the local community college where I teach more Pilates classes. When the semester is over, people like to continue with Pilates and join me at my studio.
These situations are just a couple of examples of how I’ve forged successful partnerships with other professionals. There have been many over the years. And, these situations aren’t just profitable for me. I provide a service to each location that cannot easily be filled by another person. Also, situations like this keep things interesting for me as a teacher.
Elaine Ewing
Rhinebeck, New York
I am a big believer in “cooperative competition” and have always helped other therapists, students, and related professionals succeed. When I was new in the field, I started out by trading with therapists I’d just call out of the blue. During our sessions we’d often share techniques we’d learned or other ideas to improve our practices.
I have worked with different MTs in different situations. The only negative was at a B & B, and I realized the she was taking my tips. Too bad. She was friendly and fun to be around. I have worked with two other LMTs and they are great. We work businesses and appreciation days together, taking turns being the lead of the team and answering questions and handling business. Currently, I am advertising a couples massage package in February and am looking forward to working with both of my friends on these
appointments. I trust my clients with either one when I am on vacation. So yes, find one you like and do it. Concerned about competition? Have one come in from another town to assist when you need two LMTs.
Linn Ash
Bucyrus, Ohio
I have had mixed results working with other professionals. Many of the chiropractors in the area hire or rent space to massage therapists. While I refer clients to several professionals when needed (acupuncturist, chiropractor, medical doctor, naturopath, reflexologist, etc.), it is rare that I see a client who was referred to me by that same professional.
Kimberly Rogers
Waupaca, Wisconsin
Partnering with other professionals has given me amazing opportunities to be part of a team that has a positive attitude and explodes with great ideas and awesome solutions.
Michelle Mace
Naples, Florida
By getting to know these variety of professionals, I learned so much about how to make my own massage better and broaden my own knowledge and skills. I also found out who was good at various modalities, which provided a good pool of people I’d refer to when my work was not exactly what a client needed or if I was unable to fit someone into my schedule.
As my own practice blossomed, I became known as the local expert on marketing and growing a massage business. This brought about a number of opportunities in my life from numerous teaching, speaking, and writing opportunities (Massage & Bodywork was one of them). It also brought a constant stream of incredible people who wanted to work in my practice and day spa. Those people had a huge part in making that business a success.
Now that I’ve sold my spa and do consulting and training full-time, I get to help massage, skin, and spa professionals succeed as my job. And although I now get paid to do what I used to do for free, I’m still in partnerships that help us all learn and prosper.
Felicia Brown
Greensboro, North Carolina