Hello Wonderful Therapists:
I have been involved in the massage therapy industry for 16 years; as a therapist, instructor, education/program developer, corporate trainer, and director of several massage schools in the southwest. I have watched the general perception of massage move from being suspect, to being accepted by millions of Americans as a part of their life long health and wellness plans.
I have seen a time, not too long ago, when people like you were graduating from massage therapy school and had little options for employment choices. A time when massage therapists struggled to make living, help support their families and build a great career for themselves. A time when the supply of therapists far outweighed the demand for their services.
Enter Massage Envy in 2002. Starting as a small enterprise in Arizona, a few Massage Envy clinics were owned and operated by our original owners, John Leonesio and Shawn Haycock. Interesting enough, those first clinics did their first recruiting events at the very school I was operating at that time. I remember thinking, “What an innovative idea and what great job opportunities for my graduates! Imagine a place they can work where there is steady clientele, a supportive environment and a management staff that takes care of all the daily business tasks!” I was immediately impressed.
As Massage Envy grew, we can to realize that many people in the massage industry did not have the same impression or perception of the idea of a national chain of massage therapy clinics. We have been called the Wal-Mart of massage, accused of taking advantage of massage therapists, berated for our pay scale, and, what is worst to me, our therapists have been depicted as poor or medicore providers of therapeutic touch. Now, that is where I get my feathers ruffled!
I have spent the past several years speaking out and with opposing entities and industry folks and have won much acceptance for Massage Envy nationwide. But, animosity still exists in some circles as is evident in the two letters recently published in the editorial section of Massage Magazine’s July 2008 issue. Both letters are in response to a guest editorial I was asked to write about Massage Franchising which appeared in the February issue.
There are also a few blogs out there that continue to write negative and often times attacking editorials about us, you and the work we are doing. What I see absent from blogs, and editorial pages are responses from Massage Envy therapists. I have yet to see any Massage Envy therapist speak out publicly and let people know they enjoy the work they do, they enjoy where they work and they are happy and well.
So, this column is about encouragement. It’s about encouraging you to find your voice and join me in speaking out to those who seek to harm our reputations, our work and our integrity. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
P.S. I believe you all carry amazing gifts of touch and through that touch, you all are such a contribution!"