What I Wish I Knew When I Started My Massage Practice

 As featured on The Scaling Wellness Podcast with DJ Turner

When I first told my dad I’d signed up for massage school, he was shocked. "Who am I talking to?" he said.

He wasn’t wrong. I was a classic introvert. An academic, a choir kid, a music nerd. Massage didn’t exactly seem like the obvious career path. But after years of burnout in retail, one massage session flipped a switch for me.

I spent the entire appointment thinking, “This woman has the best job in the world.” A quiet room. Soft music. No customers yelling. Everyone’s actually happy to be there.

That one moment was all it took. I was in.

Since then, I’ve worn almost every hat this industry offers: solo therapist, chain massage employee, private practice owner, educator, program director... and now, school founder. 

I created Mindful Massage Academy in Oklahoma with a vision to help students and therapists succeed. Not just in the treatment room, but in life and business too.

If you're a new or growing massage therapist, here’s what I’ve learned. And what I wish someone had told me sooner.

1. You Don’t Have to Start in Private Practice Right Away

I came out of school dreaming of being my own boss. I tried to build a client base through someone else’s business, and it just didn’t work. I was sitting around with no clients, wasting my time.

So I got a job at a chain massage clinic. It wasn’t my dream, but it gave me something I desperately needed: experience. I worked on a lot of bodies, built stamina, got into a rhythm, and gained confidence I couldn’t have developed any other way.

Eventually, I went out on my own again. But that time, I was ready. I knew who I wanted to work with, the kind of space I wanted to create, and how I wanted to show up as a therapist.

So if you’re not starting in private practice right away, that’s okay. You’re not behind. You’re building.

2. Burnout Happens Fast. Protect Yourself Early

I’ve burned out more than once. The common denominator? Rushing. Doing too much. Saying yes to everything and everyone.

Massage therapists are natural caregivers. And if we’re not careful, that means we take on way too much. We forget that we’re running a business. We end up depleted, resentful, and exhausted.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: slow down. 

Massage is slow. It’s intentional. It’s about creating peace and calm. If I let that same philosophy guide my business, things go a whole lot better.

3. You Don’t Need the Next Big Modality

I’ve watched trends come and go. KT taping, cupping, scraping, fascia tools. Some are helpful, some not so much. But none of them are a magic fix.

We don’t need to complicate massage. Touch is already powerful.

The best therapists I know have solid body mechanics, strong communication skills, and know how to build trust with their clients. That’s what keeps people coming back. Not a trendy tool.

If you’re just starting out, focus on mastering the basics before you chase the extras.

4. The Business Side Matters Just As Much

One of the biggest shocks in private practice was realizing just how much of my time had nothing to do with massage.

Pricing. Boundaries. Scheduling. Marketing. Client communication. Taxes. These things don’t always come naturally, but they’re essential if you want to grow and actually enjoy your business.

I didn’t learn most of these in school. I had to figure it out along the way. Eventually, I did. And the more I understood how to run my business like a business, the more freedom I actually had.

5. Community Changed Everything For Me

I used to be shy about connecting with other therapists. Now I can’t imagine doing this work without community.

I host monthly coffee chats for massage therapists in my state. We talk shop, vent, share resources, and support each other. I’ve given away a lot of free business advice on those calls, and I’ve gotten so much in return.

The massage world is not as competitive as people think. There are more than enough clients to go around. We are so much better when we help each other.

If you’ve been isolating and trying to figure everything out on your own, please don’t. Reach out. Start networking. Get out of your room and talk to other therapists. I promise you’ll be glad you did.

Final Thoughts

If you’re starting out or trying to grow, let me remind you. You don’t have to rush. You don’t have to be perfect. And you definitely don’t have to do it alone.

Be consistent. Set boundaries. Ask for help. Focus on the basics. Take care of your nervous system. And surround yourself with people who get it.

This blog is just a small part of a larger conversation I had with DJ Turner on The Scaling Wellness Podcast.

We talked about the realities of private practice, burnout, boundaries, building a massage career that actually supports your life, and how I created Mindful Massage Academy. To hear the full story, listen to the full episode, #294 How To Start Your Own Massage School, here.