The Scaling Wellness Podcast: Scale Your Massage Business

Growing a wellness business isn't just about getting more clients. It's about becoming a different kind of leader. Hannah Borgen knows that transformation firsthand. After spending years working as a massage therapist, Hannah launched her own practice with nothing more than a rented treatment room, a smartphone, and a willingness to consistently show up on social media. Today, Decompress Massage T...

You hired the therapist. Now comes the harder part: getting clients to actually book with them. One of the biggest mistakes massage practice owners make is treating marketing like a collection of random activities instead of a system. A social media post here. A promotion there. A referral when someone remembers to ask. The problem is that random marketing creates random results. In this episode,...

You found someone. The interview went well. The practical looked great. They seemed like the perfect fit. A few months later, things aren't going the way you hoped. Before you assume you hired the wrong person, it may be worth looking at the bigger picture.   In this episode, I break down the five factors that determine whether a new hire succeeds or struggles inside a massage practice. We'll talk...

In this episode, I explore why so many massage therapists struggle with the idea of building a larger business, where those fears come from, and the hidden cost of staying small simply because growth feels uncomfortable. This isn't a conversation about getting bigger for the sake of getting bigger. It's a conversation about building a business that supports the people inside it including you. We'l...

In this episode, Shaelyn Elliott shares how Stretch Fairy grew from a solo massage practice into a wellness ecosystem blending massage, movement, community, and education. We talk about building a team, creating client pathways, hiring for values, and making the shift from service provider to CEO all while navigating some of the hardest seasons of life.   How free online fitness classes during COV...

Ever hired someone who looked perfect on paper… only to realize a few weeks later they were the wrong fit? The truth is, most bad hires aren't caused by hiring the wrong person; they happen because there's no hiring process behind the decision. In this episode, I break down the three hiring mistakes that quietly cost wellness business owners time, money, energy, and team culture. You'll learn how...

What happens when the business you dreamed of building starts depending on you for everything? In this episode, DJ sits down with Katie Reschny of The Elm Body Co. to talk about the messy, emotional, and deeply human side of growing a wellness business beyond yourself. Katie shares the behind-the-scenes reality of building a multi-location massage and bodywork business with a team of 12+ practitio...

The thing that makes someone an incredible healer can also make the business fail to get traction.   The best massage therapists are often deeply caring, highly responsible, intuitive people. They notice everything. They step in quickly. They protect people. They fix problems before anyone else even notices them. Those traits create incredible client experiences. But in business? Those same instin...

Ever feel like your business is a treadmill that you can't get off of?   In this episode, I break down what it really takes to step away from your massage business for 30 days, without losing money or clients.   We'll get into: Why most businesses can't survive 30 days without the owner The quiet truth behind "time off" The real problem most people miss The emotional layer most people don't talk a...

You've thought about it. Maybe more than once…What if I hire the wrong person?   What if they don't work out, clients notice, and you're stuck trying to undo the whole thing , financially and professionally?   Here's what I've seen over and over: a bad hire rarely starts with a bad person. It usually starts with a bad setup: unclear expectations, a rushed decision, no real onboarding, and no way t...

Today's episode, we break down the exact step-by-step plan on how to exploit your fellow massage therapist and get rich in the process.   Not really, BUT….this is an all too common issue we see inside the industry.   The exploitative model isn't an accident. It's been repeated so often that most therapists think it's just what happens when you grow. Low pay. Back-to-back clients. No breaks. No fut...

Growing from a solo practitioner into a team-based wellness business is one of the biggest transitions an owner can make. In this rebroadcast episode, we break down the foundational steps every massage and wellness entrepreneur should take before hiring their first team member. Learn the key systems, mindset shifts, and leadership strategies needed to expand your practice while protecting the valu...

What happens after you build a fully booked massage practice… and realize that's not the end goal? In this interview, I sit down with Cody and Allyson of Two Hearts Bodywork to unpack what it really takes to grow beyond six figures in a massage therapy business without burning out your body or sacrificing your freedom. From launching their brick-and-mortar practice with no safety net… To raising p...

This rebroadcast episode dives into one of the hardest parts of running a wellness business: dealing with underperforming employees. If you're unsure whether a team member needs coaching, clearer expectations, or a tough conversation, this episode will help you find clarity. We break down the real reasons behind poor performance, common leadership mistakes, and how to handle difficult situations w...

If you're constantly putting out fires, answering messages at all hours, and feeling like your wellness business can't run without you… this episode is for you. In this episode of the Scaling Wellness Podcast, we break down the 4 essential systems every massage and wellness business needs to book more clients consistently without overworking yourself or your team. From client booking and follow-up...

This isn't a "welcome back" episode. And it's definitely not an accident that this is our first drop of 2026. We're rebroadcasting one of the most important conversations we've ever had about vision, strategy, and what actually moves you forward when everything feels unclear. If you've been feeling stuck, restless, or like you're standing on the edge of something but can't name it yet… this episod...

From shy "operations girl" to the powerhouse behind a 20-year group practice, Ann Sousa's journey is anything but ordinary. In this inspiring episode, Ann, owner of Body & Soul Massage in Salem, MA, shares how a random postcard led her into massage therapy, how 9/11 pushed her into entrepreneurship, and how she transformed a small contractor-shared space into a thriving, employee-based wellness pr...

In this new episode, interior designer and former massage therapist Jamie Smith, founder of Happy Haus Studios, reveals how wellness professionals can transform their treatment rooms into healing, high-performing spaces that elevate client experience and support long-term practitioner sustainability. With nearly 20 years as an MT and a deep background in design, Jamie shares her unconventional jou...

In this rebroadcast episode of the Scaling Wellness Podcast, we continue our inspiring conversation with Teresa Zardus, founder of Zardus Art of Massage and Wellness Spa and the Zardus School of Massage. Building a thriving wellness business is no easy feat but Teresa's story proves what's possible when passion meets purpose. From running a 24-room, Tudor-inspired spa to launching a massage school...

In this special rebroadcast of the Scaling Wellness Podcast, I'm bringing back one of my favorite Massage Boss Stories featuring Teresa Zardus, the visionary founder behind Zardus Art of Massage & Wellness Spa and Zardus School of Massage. From leaving her corporate life to building a thriving wellness hub in a stunning 24-room Tudor-inspired building, Teresa's journey is the perfect example of pa...

We're back with Part 2 of our Massage Boss Story featuring Elyse Badewitz, the passionate owner and operator of Spa Haus Nashville, one of the city's most-loved destinations for massage and spa services. In this follow-up episode, Elyse continues to share her inspiring journey of growth, resilience, and leadership in the wellness industry. From navigating the challenges of COVID-19 to mastering te...

We're taking it back to one of our favorite episodes from 2020. A powerful story of passion, growth, and grit in the wellness industry. In this rebroadcast of Massage Boss Stories, we revisit our conversation with Elyse Badewitz, owner and founder of Spa Haus Nashville. From managing day spas and salons to launching her own dream business, Elyse shares how she built Spa Haus from a one-woman show...

You're fully booked… now what? In this final episode of the Beyond Fully Booked mini-series, I'm breaking down what it really takes to scale from solo to group practice, and how to know if you're truly ready to make that leap. We'll dive into the signs that show you're prepared to hire, the red flags that say you're not, and what it means to step into leadership as your business evolves. From mana...

You're fully booked, now what? In this episode of the Scaling Wellness Podcast, I'm diving into the real challenges that come with growing from a solo massage therapist to a group practice owner. From hiring your first team member to managing personalities, keeping culture strong, and handling the "boss burden," I'm breaking down the behind-the-scenes struggles no one warns you about, and how to o...

You're fully booked. Now what? In this episode of the Scaling Wellness Podcast, I'm diving into the mindset shifts that every massage therapist needs to make when transitioning from a solo practitioner to a group practice owner. Going beyond the table means stepping into true leadership, which requires a whole new skill set. I'll break down what it really takes to lead a thriving team, build syste...