Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tim Evans, RMT, owner of Feasey Chiropractic and Wellness Centre, located in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am a Registered Massage Therapist for over 26 years and still going (which is pretty well a veteran considering most people burn out 3-5 years into their massage career). My focus is deep tissue massage, postural and structural work, as well as varied treatments such as eliminating migraines successfully, tailbone work, carpal tunnel syndrome, and much, much more.

Tell us about yourself

I had always known I would eventually become a massage therapist back when I was 18 years old, but I didn't know when. There weren't any local schools in Manitoba at the time. As soon as the first one was established, I enrolled in the 2nd class 28 years ago. Been going strong ever since!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment has been establishing long-time clientele as well as becoming skilled in a wide variety of treatments that many of the medical profession are unaware of.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I would have to say the hardest aspect of being a business owner has been having to navigate through the last two years of COVID! The whole aspect of working with clients who are fearful and hesitant to come in due to the unknown aspects of COVID at the time, trying to get clientele to wear masks when much of North America became very contrary towards masks and vaccinations, was pretty darn stressful!!! Thank God, though, my clientele are a very intelligent bunch of people who are mostly doubly or triply vaccinated and, for the most part, not difficult when it came to wearing masks, but there have been a few stressful exceptions. It has been sad to see a small number leave, particularly when you have established a bond with them, only to see them leave for the reason that they refuse to wear a mask during the session. Sure, people feel they have their God-given right to not wear masks, but massage therapists also have the right to have a COVID-free work environment. As a result, I have valued my clientele more than ever before and am thankful that my workspace has not been a spread site.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. This is specifically for massage therapists. Always send reminders to clients about their appointments. I send both an email reminder at the time of booking and also a text reminder the day before the appointment.
  2. Make sure you enroll with all possible insurance companies which will direct bills for your client. It makes it a lot easier for the client to not have to pull out cash or credit cards to pay, and you often get paid the next morning hours before any Interac transactions happen, which for me would be around 3 pm the next day.
  3. Don't be afraid to ask your client afterward how they feel; even ask them twice! The input of how they felt afterward will give you a good indication of how well your massage treatment was for them. Input is valuable!!!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Massage therapy should be an absolute essential in everybody's life. As we age, we stiffen more and more and do so unnecessarily. Massage is not only preventative but also incredibly therapeutic in eliminating a vast array of conditions we don't have to live with. I think all world governments should implement massage therapy access for everyone!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://timevansrmt.weebly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timevansmassage/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timevansmassage/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/timevansmassage
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-evans-rmt/

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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