Business Building Ideas for Independent Masseuses

[Albertaman]

I meant no offense, Albertaman. It sounds like a great business model almost like dreaming. I have a feeling that too many girls a just don't have the "business sense" to think of this for themselves and feel they are stuck working for somebody else. Makes you wonder how many girls in places like XP or TT are actually indentured in some way?

Don't think that any at XP or TT or GE etc are indentured, but most of them have not had a chance to think further. Earnings in Canadian $$ appears to be a good deal compared to jobs in China paid in renminbi / yuan. Also most do not have the right home set up, or enough personal privacy. However, I am absolutely sure that a small handful have the brainpower and the entrepreneurial drive to find places (sometimes it's just a room in an unused home - you guys don't have a clue as to the number of unused homes that are still around in Edmonton and Calgary in the hands of real estate investors from China). We only need a handful to go independent. It's a Win Win for us and them. The only unrealistic part is that very few of them will be reading anything on this website, excepting owners of shops keeping an eye on reviews .

However, I believe that good ideas can be propagated to a few of these very entrepreneurial ladies. We only need 2 or 3 more good ones in each of our cities.



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[4massage]

i think this rings true, and one of the holdbacks to making such a jump is simple income security.

The initial months are bound to see a significant drop while a new clientele is built.

Another is personal risk. It’s not insignificant. Simple theft sounded common at some established places a while back.

 

[Albertaman]

i think this rings true, and one of the holdbacks to making such a jump is simple income security.

The initial months are bound to see a significant drop while a new clientele is built.

Another is personal risk. It’s not insignificant. Simple theft sounded common at some established places a while back.

For a masseuse who already works at a shop, they should not quit, but set up a part time independent business, inviting only a handful of trusted clients. There are plenty of them currently in shops waiting around all day with not enough clients walking into the shops. Early morning private business equals cash in pocket before the rest of the day gets going, and better value for repeat client.

The safety issue is also solved by only inviting a good client.

For ladies who are not currently in massage business, setting up an independent side gig takes more thinking and planning. But every waitress, or retail shop lady still has clients . Got to pick the right guys and offer a private meeting. Build slow, while keeping that other job.


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[Rubmegood]

Also, when it comes to Chinese (or any other immigrant, for that matter) girls, is that they are in the process of, or under pressure to, send as much money "back home" to help other family immigrate as well.

 

[Albertaman]

Also, when it comes to Chinese (or any other immigrant, for that matter) girls, is that they are in the process of, or under pressure to, send as much money "back home" to help other family immigrate as well.

All good. By setting up an independent stream of funding, on the side, they can triple that amount.

In your own fine city, therapists like Sunny are the finest examples. She should run weekend seminars for new ladies looking to set up massage businesses. Have you noticed that the shop
owners hate that?


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[Sackattack]

You try to tell a worker that plan you have & i sign up for 2 hrs.
Hard to sell your ambitious theory because Sunny would be $320.
West end lady wants $200 1hr
Once they go independent they thinking to charge more. Also people get tired of same massage lady after a while & like spreading $ different ones.
I think Molly is good value for $220 & what you get. Also Sunny but was tired of same repeat style.
Let us know when you have converted one.
Thanks

 

[Albertaman]

You try to tell a worker that plan you have & i sign up for 2 hrs.
Hard to sell your ambitious theory because Sunny would be $320.
West end lady wants $200 1hr
Once they go independent they thinking to charge more. Also people get tired of same massage lady after a while & like spreading $ different ones.
I think Molly is good value for $220 & what you get. Also Sunny but was tired of same repeat style.
Let us know when you have converted one.

. Some of you guys make me laugh. I wasn't sharing my "hope", just sharing some factual stuff I've actually experienced, during the covid years. Most therapists in shops are sitting on their duffs waiting for a walk in client. Especially in Calgary in the past 2 weeks. So much for the secure income. Maybe in the chiropractic shops it's better, but I never pay the charlatan chiros a penny.

You guys carry on getting substandard massages with handjobs for 140 sessions. . Good on you. Or read and understand what I posted. You only need 1 or 2 or 3 new therapists to figure out how to develop a sideline business where they win and the client wins. One of the real world examples I know, in Calgary, she is in her 50's, nice physique, paid off her new home (cash) in just over 2 years. So you guys carry on with your disbelief...too funny. Personally I enjoy supporting these independents, not the money launderers.


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[Albertaman]

And one other point, some of you are already in the fixed income category. As in Retired. If you want to taste some honey in your golden years, put in some effort into encouraging new independents. Or else your future will consist of 1 massage per month and then 1 massage in two months... then once in 3 months... and so on. The massage shops are not the future. Mostly wasted $$$$$$


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[Albertaman]

Why would a top of the field independent MT train and mentor new competition with seminars? This does not make sense from a business point of view.

Nothing is for ever. Even top of the field MT needs to think about next stage of their career. Developing a few hand picked independent affiliates, ideally located in other parts of the city, or in other cities may provide future streams of income. Not big cuts from other people's efforts, but small cuts.

Also teaching a few others can be done for reasonable upfront payments for the teaching, especially if the teacher truly brings top level learnings. And possibly, ongoing coaching for one year or more as the students sets up their own independent businesses.

For most independents, I still suggest a part time approach. Most are not prepared with all the skills required to succeed in operating full time businesses

An independent or two in Edmonton for evening time would be great for visitors like me. The Queen is not available during those hours.


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[Albertaman]

Independent masseuses and Chinese New Year:

The two way gift exchanges of red envelopes are another special aspect of dealing with independent therapists. The masseuse usually gives some types of gift cards, coffee cards etc, the client usually gives cash or nicely packaged bakery items / sweets from Macau or HK or Japan, or special lingerie. Have received other types of more personal gift products too, and food items.

Sets the right mood going into the New Year. The new year of the Rabbit... clearly a good year for certain types of activities

 

[Albertaman]

Some shop owners will agree to rent massage rooms with supplies to independents as long as they are looking for hours that are not peak busy times. Good rates can be negotiated with some effort.

Pooners can also sometimes arrange to book a spa room and bring in their own independent therapist. This works if the owner or manager knows you from before and they know that you do not bring problems.

A massage room that is not being used represents Zero income. Any additional revenue without accompanying problems represents a Win Win for all parties.


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[MASSAGE.MAESTRO]

112 x $200= over $22,000 You're a more serious (dare I say, "addicted"? ) pooner than ME! (Holy shit!!)

Yeah....and here I thought BobtheKnob had deep pockets. I've gone from twice a month to once every 1 and 1/2 to 2 months.

And, if I did have that kind of money:

Single: Invest it in finding a lady who has 2,000 plus hours of massage therapy.

In Relationship: Pay for her to be trained up to at least 2,000 plus hours.

A Wealthy Man Whore: Put that $22,000 into as many kinky encounters as I can dream up,
and then....well then let's not kid ourselves....
With my luck....some mafia"manager" might mistake me for me another short, chunky, thin on top haired, greying, middle aged, face only a mother could love (or could she) White Guy

.....who owes him 10,000 grand....and
....bam bam bam....in a ditch somewhere....
Never to be seen again....

Thank God I am not a Man Whore....
Especially a wealthy one....

 

[MASSAGE.MAESTRO]

But....as Albertaman said: the Asian providers obviously don't read these reviews, and those are the ones, most of us seem to gravitate towards. That's why: there are so many bad ones. If they actually read this forum, and learned what makes a great therapist/provider....they could get a loyal and long list of devoted customers. So, although this is a great thread, I think you are preaching to the client choir. The asian providers won't make it to your excellent business sermon.

 

[Albertaman]

But....as Albertaman said: the Asian providers obviously don't read these reviews, and those are the ones, most of us seem to gravitate towards. That's why: there are so many bad ones. If they actually read this forum, and learned what makes a great therapist/provider....they could get a loyal and long list of devoted customers. So, although this is a great thread, I think you are preaching to the client choir. The asian providers won't make it to your excellent business sermon.

Word of mouth ideas are powerful. We only need one or two new motivated independent therapists in our fine cities to make a difference. Personally I only need one as I don't find it interesting to be wasting my funds sprinkling it across 10 uninteresting and useless masseuses. As for the monies spent during the two years, it was in lieu of other normal life things like travel (curtailed during the covid stupidity). If you recall, I'm the one that has always advised people to first take care of their life obligations, save and invest before putting a dollar into this hobby. The benefit of that is that you can indulge with the fruit it bears. I'm mostly done with the massage shops that waste my time and money. GLTA


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[Albertaman]

Observation: a successful independent is usually someone who also works some hours in either a legit shop or a semi legit shop.
The independent side of business is rarely advertised. And is usually operated during early morning hours (before the massage shops open) or on days that they are not required to be in the shop.

Even in shops, a few therapists now are forced to seek out hours in multiple shops. So the independent side is one more extension where they can invite their better no-trouble clients.

And a rare one is able to write legit receipts for the massage segment of the total package. A bonus for clients.

Yep, one or two more is all we need in Edmonton, Calgary




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[Albertaman]

On the occasion of Valentines Day 2023, will add one more idea that crystallizes a central theme within my posts on this topic.

A part time independent therapist who can describe her services as "massge plus slow loving" could build a great client list over time. A clientele made up of decent men who become repeat customers. From my own experiences in 2021 and 2022 I learned that I don't need as much variety. Quality sessions with one masseuse can be very satisfying. High quality massage, reverse massage and slow loving. The young boyz can go from shop to shop and keep emptying their wallets seeking out PSE.

Some of us with more maturity can be happy with more focused care. Yes, Slow Loving like Slow Cooking


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[Qster]

Recently had a long chat with one of my regulars, I asked if I can see her for longer visits at her home instead of the spa. I spend more on her each year than some of my parttime employees, I should put her on my payroll. I asked her, why does she stay at the spa where she is at, why not work at home, she claims to have a good loyal client list.

1. Her working at a spa gives her a good front for discussion at home, back in China, she is a "partner" in the business. The age old "saving face" thing for Chinese.
2. She doesn't believe her english and business knowledge is good enough to deal with everything a spa has, i.e. bookings, landlord, repairman, ATM guy, licensing, inspections etc. She doesn't want the headaches.
3. Dealing with her personal bank from leasing a car to buying a home, hard to do when self employed with no employer reference etc. Again, her bank recognize her as a part owner of a legitimate business with reference letter to back it up.
4. She has a family, can't take men home when you have a child.
5. She did the math, the it is about a 50 house/50 girl split for the initial fees and she keeps all of the tips. She has zero risk, if she gets no customer, she pays nothing to the house. At $40 an hour, she considers it reasonable to rent a room there to earn tips.

I counter argued that she can still do 90% of her business through the spa, just do the odd outcalls (or home sessions) with a few hardcore regulars for afterhour sessions, she said she would consider it (I know her family is her biggest issue so she would go on an outcall date with me but would never take me home). It was an interesting discussion.

Just throwing it out there to say that each lady is different and may have unique circumstances which prevent her from operating a homebase business.

 

[Albertaman]

Yes, the full time model is not recommended for most. But the part time independent model can work out with a bit of planning. And is pretty lucrative based on what I learned from two therapists. Use the early hours of the day and see only the best customers for two hour sessions. Then head to the regular massage job at the spa.


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[Albertaman]

And the room used is not necessarily in their main residence. Within the Chinese community there are plenty of under utilized houses (they were purchased to park funds) where the owner will rent a room with use of adjacent bathroom. With heat and water included. Yep, the lady needs to be a bit of an organizer with excellent language skills in Chinese dialects to find the right spot English skills are not that important as texts get translated easily. Massage and mutual massage skills are mandatory for success. And the ability to enjoy some of the early morning work.


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[Albertaman]

Promising trend in the Calgary market which is beneficial for clients. More independent house - residence based masseuses showing up recently. Some are becoming associates to those already with an independent business, or working hours outside of their other jobs. It doesn't matter if it is part time, full time, anytime, as long as it offers good overall value with clean premises, its a win for us guys. No manager yelling through walls and rapping at the door 10 minutes before massage is done.

The other idea that is changing is the idiotic belief that if it on insurance, any price is ok. Clearly it's not ok if the client gets fewer massages in the year.

Hoping to see more independents offering great massages in our markets. This is what makes other cities like Montreal so interesting.


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