Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Erika Andersen, owner of Superior Massage Therapy, located in the Metro Detroit, United States.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Superior Massage Therapy is a Sports Massage Clinic where we help people achieve their dreams! We help athletes of all shapes and sizes achieve their performance goals. Whether they're competing in their first Olympic weight lifting meet or running their 100th marathon. Chose Superior Massage for Superior Performance!
Tell us about yourself
I got my bachelor's degree in Sports Science and Biomechanics with the intent to go to PT school. However, I didn't realize how competitive it is to get in. I got wait-listed twice before I decided to try a different career. Enter massage therapy. I thought massage would be a stop-gap between college and PT school. But it turns out that I get to help the same people I always wanted to help (athletes) without all the insurance bureaucracy, so I did. I went into massage and opened a clinic specifically designed to help keep people active and perform their best.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I built a self-sustaining team. At this moment, I have a team of myself and three other therapists who are self-sufficient and good at their jobs. In the last five years, I've selected a team of amazing women at what they do. They're empathetic, powerful, and strong. They have ideas about making the business grow, which makes me so proud of them.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Knowing that no matter what, it was your fault. If this business is somehow succeeding and is profitable and you have a happy, healthy staff, it's your fault. But likewise, if everything goes up in flames, if your bills don't get paid, or if you just don't make enough money to survive, that's your fault too. With a small business, everything is on the owner. She has to make sure she hires the right people to give the business the best chance of survival. She has to do all accounting, marketing, human resources and still be the operating manager. Everything that happens happens because of a decision you've made, and that's tough.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Be prepared. Be prepared not to make any money for a year or 5. be prepared for long hours and people wondering if you're making smart choices (including yourself). Be prepared for the people in your life to both support your decisions and miss you because you're never around. Be prepared to question everything. Be prepared for A LOT of joy because you've built something, and it's actually successful. Be prepared to feel proud of yourself.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Being a business owner has been both amazing and terrifying. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love the community of business owners who cheer each other on and keep each other going. Get out there and see what you're made of.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.superiormassagetherapy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superiormassagetherapy/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorMassage/
Strava: Superior Massage Therapy club
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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