Helpful Tips/Hints for New & Not-so-New M.T.'s

[Serendipity2]

Hey y'all!

I've been thinking about adding a topic that deals solely with helpful tips to give one another if we found it worked for us. Do you have one to share with the rest of the clan?

Here's a few that have worked for me, and it may or may not help you, but hope it can!  8)

-To save money on linens (especially when I first started out in my business), I went to yardsales and the nearby G.W. Boutiques (a.k.a. Goodwill stores) and bought both plain and decorative twin-size sheet sets,  towels, blankets, and pillow cases. Took them home and washed/bleached them (just to be sure). Found lots of excellent deals on linens and have rec'd compliments from clients over the years on the different ones I use.

-One of the first continuing ed. classes I took when I graduated from school was the essential oils course. Not only was it quite an affordable way to get my required credit hours, but it also provided me with a wonderful way to use different herbs in client sessions (e.g., adding dried sprigs of rosemary and/or sage and/or chamomile teabags to homemade eyepillows, mixing different essential oils to blend with massage lotion for just the right affect, etc.).

I'll add more when I think of them (again)...now it's your turn  

Be well,
Jen

 

[IceCreamFreak]

c'mon, guys...NONE of the 50-some odd readers of this post have a helpful tip or hint to pass on to others??? ???I find it hard to believe that y'all haven't found a way to cut corners for any aspect of your businesses.  :-/Let's share the wealth of things we've picked up along the way for our trade. :-*Be well,Jen

 

[Deke]

I buy twin size flat sheets at Wal-Mart cut them in half width wise, and then sew a seam on the cut ends.  This is what I use for my top sheet, as the regular size is just too much sheet.  This leaves the draping and undraping process so much simpler.  Now I get 2 for the price of 1!!I also offer a pre-book discount of 15% if an exsisting client books 2 weeks in advance and keeps the appt.  I have found this has encouraged many clients to make regular appts., and it's great to look weeks ahead and see that you have clients scheduled for a long ways out!Hope this helps, and yes, I would like to see some other helpful tips/hints!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Jas

 

[Stuart S]

   *I contracted a facility for mentally handicapped adults to make face cradle covers for me from one of my originals. In exchange for not paying full price for the covers, I contribute to their programs & do free chair massage for them at harvest festivals (to help raise money for the programs)  saves me money, and I feel good about myself :}     *I also sell AVON, and offer free products with 2 hours worth of services. The clients believe theyre getting a good deal, and I make out pretty good with the arrangment, too!

 

[LaurShark]

If you use a regular face cradle cover but want the soft fleece feel for your clients you can cut out face cradle shaped covers out of fleece and place them over the linen or flannel cover. Like a horse shoe. Fleece doesn't ravel so no sewing is required.Also if you do Hot Stone massage you can put your bottle of oil upright in the crock or roaster with your stones, it warms the oil up nicely.  

 

[grandma zaza]

I wear a double-bottle holster when I give a massage.  Since I only use one bottle, I put a dish cloth in the other space in case I pump out too much gel.  I can just reach back and wipe off the excess.  Also, if I get too much on the client, I can use it to wipe the excess off of them.  Of course, use a clean one for each client.I use the cut-off bottoms of dixie cups to put cream on.  I use peppermint for the feet and hands, and clary sage and lavender for the neck.  The small size will sit on the table when I get to the area I'm going to work on.  (I have a dry sink next to the massage table that the cups sit on until I need them.)  I also put a dab on my arm when doing toes and fingers.  It's just easier to get to.Scav

 

[Virgin_phoenix]

When a client forgets to take off a necklace or earrings and wants to do so after the massage has begun, I put the jewelry in their shoe.  I've never had someone forget something that was left in their shoe.Katykangaroo

 

[Beautifiedmami]

If the floor in your massage room is tiled, make sure you have a rug or mat for the client to step on when getting off the table.  ... maybe it's just a personal decision, but I think stepping on a cold floor is not that great a feeling.

 

[Boo Boo Kitty]

Wow.....all of these are EXCELLENT tips...I knew I could tap into a substantial and bottomless pit (doesn't seem an appropriate word, does it?) of helpful tips in here.I've got another one:To save money (again) when I was starting out in offering parrafin spa treatments, I went and purchased affordable oversized terry cloth oven mitts with matching potholders at Walmart. After clients have dipped their hands into the heated wax, I place disposable plastic mitts over clients' hands, then place the oven mitts over them so they can retain the heat as long as possible.  When the heat is gone, I remove the oven mitts and dispose of the plastic mitts.I place the parrafin spa tub on the potholders to help catch any wax drippings.I'm sure I'll think of another one over the weekend to share!  Be well,Jen

 

[Angeline L]

Jeff, Mine did... I just bought a Remington Paraffin Spa from Sam's Club one X-mas season... oh about 3 years ago maybe. And for awhile I was able to purchase extra paraffin from Wal-mart (with more plastic liners)... but I'm not sure if they still carry it. I'm afraid I really only use it "Seasonally" and even then not very often. *shrugs*So yes, mine came with booties & mittens made from blue terry cloth. They're better than nothing, but they don't exactly impress me.I was just thinking though... wouldn't it be cool if "our" Jenny N. who makes the face cradle & table covers could make matching "booties & mittens" from her fleece? I imagine it'd do even better than terry cloth at holding in the heat and keeping the client's fingers and toes nice and toasty!  Just another way she could Expand her line of handmade MT supplies.  

 

[Dick Tator]

Seforum.xxxg,Mine didn't come with anything except extra wax and the plastic disposable mitts. Would have been great if it had but it just made me get creative and go find an affordable alternative!  ;DBe well,Jen

 

[??G?AC3??]

I found mitts at Sally's Beauty Supply.My room is not as quiet as I would like it to be so I put a small fan in it and it runs on low all the time.  It creates a sort of white noise that along witht the music and soft fountain helps to draw out those other little noises that come from the phone ringing out front or folks walking/talking  past my massage room.I put my parrafin warmer on a timer so that it doesn't have to stay on all the time.  It comes on at about 7 a.m. and cuts off at 4 pm.I use an oil burner and use different oils as needed by the client.Another great ideal, when you have a client face down sometimes they are a little stuffy when you turn them over I keep a jar of cotton balls in my room that are sprinkled with eucalyptus.  A few whiffs of it and they are opened up and can breathe freely.That's all I can think of at this time. Hope it helps.Susie

 

[Benny Commo]

for paraffin treatments you can line your mitts and booties with lavender and heat them before you put it on your clients,(body shop has them or you can make your own, its a nice treat.  I heat up face towels in this container, with lid on and hold it in insulated bag, pull out the towels as needed and it stays hot through out massage.  everyone that comes through the door gets a face towel with lavender on (if no alergies) warm ones for cooler days and ice cold ones for hot days.  Before they leave same principle except now there is lemongrass on it.  I use a rice cooker for hotstones, add an oil in the water, portable saves on electric, I also use an apron with pockets to hold hotstones you can line them with insulation or put them in socks and take out as needed.  If i have an over stimulated (stressed out) client that comes in before I start i'll have them sit i cleanse their feet in a way that its like a ritual when they get done, they are ready for their massage. 8)