Align with The Massage Business Mama

Real talk from two massage therapists who've been in the trenches — this week Ali kicks things off literally locked out of her own office, and it only gets more relatable from there. We're getting into the honest conversations that massage school never covered: how many clients is actually too many, what working 8-to-8 in your 20s costs you in your 40s, and why setting physical limits earl...

What does your treatment room say before you ever lay hands on a client? In this episode of Align with The Massage Business Mama , Ali sits down with Portland-based interior designer, former massage therapist, and CEU provider Jamie Smith to talk about how your space impacts client experience, practitioner longevity, and even treatment outcomes. Jamie shares her journey from nearly two decades as...

Ali and Beca dive into the messy, human, and very real moments of being a massage therapist — both inside and outside the treatment room. Ali shares a follow-up story about her short-term rental licensing situation (including a $27,000 near-miss 😳) and the professional boundary she’s most proud of holding. Beca opens up about sleeping in her office during finals week and the weird gray area of bl...

Break Room Banter is back — and this episode is packed with the kinds of conversations massage therapists actually have when the door is closed and the table’s empty. Ali and Beca kick things off with a surprisingly satisfying business win: realizing Past Self set up an auto-ship for massage oil just in time . From there, the conversation expands into systems that quietly support a sustainable pra...

In this episode of Break Room Banter , Ali and Beca sit down for wide-open, real-talk about the very human side of massage therapy—the stuff no one prepared us for in school. Ali kicks things off with a personal story about accidentally letting her short-term rental license lapse on a rental unit she owns. And how this suddenly finds herself tangled in municipal red tape. It sparks a larger conver...

060: Break Room Banter — Health Insurance, Triggers, and Swearing in a Massage Practice Welcome to our newest segment: Break Room Banter — a more relaxed, behind-the-scenes corner of the podcast where we pull back the curtain on what’s really happening in our practices each week. Think of it as the conversations you’d overhear (or jump into!) while refilling your water bottle between clients. In t...

There has been an increase lately in the massage coaching world, where coaches are pushing hard to help therapists have booming "gift-certificate seasons." And while sometimes, "Yes!" this is a great option. It's an opportunity to promote your business and get noticed. It opens the door for future referrals. It's a tap in the vein for your bank account... There are othe...

The No Tax on Tips Act is being celebrated by some in the service industries, but there are several key details massage therapists need to understand before assuming it's a tax-free free-for-all. Massage therapists often receive tips—especially those working in spas, franchises, hotels, and even private practice. This bill recognizes tipping as a customary part of compensation in “beauty servi...

What if you could grow your massage practice without spending a dime on ads? In this episode, we sit down with returning guest Amie Kraft , a massage therapist who has mastered the art of leveraging Google My Business reviews to build a thriving practice. Together, we unpack why Google reviews hold so much weight for local businesses, how to ask for them in a way that feels natural, and the psycho...

Have you ever wondered if a career in massage therapy could provide freedom, fun, and financial success? Spoiler: It totally can. In this episode, we are joined by the amazing  Krista Dicks , Canadian RMT, clinic owner, and host of  The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast . With nearly two decades of experience—and a resume that includes spas, multidisciplinary clinics, race crews, and tropical dest...

This episode of Align with The Massage Business Mama dives into the natural ebb and flow of running a massage business. It explores why massage therapists often experience peaks and valleys in their client load and how these fluctuations aren't always a bad thing.

Ahhh, buying a home — the American dream! For many, it’s a goal woven into the fabric of our upbringing, a milestone that symbolizes stability and success. But in today’s world, especially for those of us in the massage industry, the dream of homeownership can often feel out of reach. Rising costs, fluctuating markets, and the unpredictable nature of running your own massage practice can make the...

In this episode, we are sans Beca and joined by Nicole Keane. Nicole recently published a book, "The Tao of The Polyvagal Theory." Inside the book, she teaches and explores the connection between polyvagal theory and five element theory as a means to heal the spirit and balance the autonomic nervous system.  We talk about how our interpretation of traditional eastern medicine might be flawed and w...

Sometimes when we cannot work it is expected, like pregnancies or a planned surgery. Other times it hits you out of the blue. Either situation is hard as a therapist who only gets paid if they work! But, with a little preparation, you can turn a potentially disastrous situation into a nice reprieve from an ordinarily chaotic schedule. Tune it to hear our top tips for when life gets the best of you...

In today's episode, we delve into a crucial topic that affects every massage therapist's professional journey: safety. Join us as we explore the essence of our upcoming workshop, "Empowered Practitioner — A Safety Workshop for Massage Therapists." Discover how this workshop can transform your practice and empower you as a massage therapist. Our workshop will be hosted on 12/8/23...

Episode 051: The Neuroscience of Stress with Charlotte Roden In this episode, we're delving deep into the fascinating world of stress and how understanding the neuroscience behind it can empower us to manage it effectively. We're joined by Charlotte Roden, an expert in stress management with a background in finance, neuroscience, psychology, and naturopathic health. Charlotte's mission...

Get ready to amplify your online presence and connect with your dream clients! In this episode, we're thrilled to have Stacey Hagen, a marketing and visibility coach, share her wisdom on navigating the world of social media with authenticity and purpose. Stacey dives deep into the art of showing up confidently, crafting engaging content, and attracting the right audience. Discover how to honor...

In this episode of "Align with The Massage Business Mama," we are joined by Christine Boye to discuss diversifying by becoming a "soul care coach" – yes, you heard me correctly, that's soul care, not self-care. Alongside her soul care work, Christine Boye is also a doula, cancer survivor, and podcast host. We explore the world of soul care, a realm that will transcend self-...

This episode of "Align with The Massage Business Mama" is a nugget. A gentle reminder of what we all already know! That it is important and even cool to take care of your mental health! We aim to break the stigma around mental health and encourage open conversations about our emotional well-being.  It's easy to neglect our mental health in today's fast-paced world! We get caught...

On this episode of "Align with The Massage Business Mama," we are joined by Christine Walsh — a money mindset strategist, mentor, and speaker who has used her 25+ years of experience in finance and accounting to help visionary businesswomen master their inner money game. Founded in personal growth and practical strategies, Christine brings clients her cutting-edge money wisdom, forward-t...

Some believe that therapists should never discount. But here at Align with The Massage Business Mama, we believe there are times when it is appropriate! NOT all the time, but certainly at times. And today, we get into our top 4 times when we think it is appropriate to discount your services.

While it may seem funny that we have the power to "fire" our clients, the truth is that if clients aren't honoring the boundaries, policies, and procedures we have set up in our practice, we have every right to put them on the chopping block. And while it might seem scary at first, the idea of conflict and loss of income, sometimes moving forward in this manner is the best approach....

Us massage therapists are not notoriously known for our financial savvy. Having a scarcity mindset or "Starving Healer Syndrome" unfortunately describes an awful lot of us in the healing professions! We operate from the belief (often unconscious) that we don't deserve to become wealthy or even financially comfortable from the work we perform. But Therapists, that's a lie! We deserve all that and m...

What does a sober living group and massage business marketing have in common? You may just be surprised by the answer!  In this episode of "Align with The Massage Business Mama," we dig into a unique approach to marketing your practice.  Instead of pushing, pushing, we discuss the idea of drawing in potential clients with magnetic energy. How sharing what we are passionate about in life...

In this episode of "Align with The Massage Business Mama," we unpack choosing a legal entity for your massage practice. One of the big things that trip people up at the beginning of their massage business is figuring out what legal entity to set up. Whether to be a sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, or LLC. C Corp, S corp, it can be overwhelming initially!  One thing to note is if you...