Clinic Administrator Position - DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME

For anyone that lives remotely near a massage envy - beware! If you are interested in a "clinic administrator" position, look the other way. Be good to yourself, and look elsewhere! I had a horrible expereince applying for a CA position. The people at massage envy were very unprofessional and treat their massage therapists poorly. The CA position in itself is a joke. When interviewed, they explain about great benefits, paid training in Phoenix, and how it's a great company to work for. Well, if you are into belittling the work of massage therapist - go for it. This company strives to make massage therapists work like dogs, for very little pay, and cover it up with fancy centers and flashy marketing. Please, take my advice - if you are a massage therapist, do yourself a favor - find work in a place where you'll be appreiciated and where you can do the work you like - not do the work you are told to do.

I completely disagree with you. I happen to be a clinic administrator with Massage Envy and I don't belittle my therapists or my sales staff. Most of my full time therapists take home over $3000 a month. All they "are forced" to do is massage, change table linens and refill cream/gel/lotion tubes that they use. It would appear to me that they are very spoiled. They get a paid vacation after one year, medical benefits, a professional and safe environment in which to work. I have monthly meetings where I feed my entire staff while I continue their training and development. If that means I make them "work like dogs" sign my up Bow Wow.

Jareef in Dallas, Texas said: I completely disagree with you. I happen to be a clinic administrator with Massage Envy and I don't belittle my therapists or my sales staff. Most of my full time therapists take home over $3000 a month. All they "are forced" to do is massage, change table linens and refill cream/gel/lotion tubes that they use. It would appear to me that they are very spoiled. They get a paid vacation after one year, medical benefits, a professional and safe environment in which to work. I have monthly meetings where I feed my entire staff while I continue their training and development. If that means I make them "work like dogs" sign my up Bow Wow.

I think I saw a post from you in a different section. I could swear you passed yourself off as a client? So you are a Clinic Administrator? That explains it. I have a feeling that most of the posts from "clients" of ME do work for them and are not clients at all. Sorry for the harsh words about your company, I used to manage there myself. I think therapists can do much better and thats what these posts are designed to express.

Jareef in Dallas, Texas said: I completely disagree with you. I happen to be a clinic administrator with Massage Envy and I don't belittle my therapists or my sales staff. Most of my full time therapists take home over $3000 a month. All they "are forced" to do is massage, change table linens and refill cream/gel/lotion tubes that they use. It would appear to me that they are very spoiled. They get a paid vacation after one year, medical benefits, a professional and safe environment in which to work. I have monthly meetings where I feed my entire staff while I continue their training and development. If that means I make them "work like dogs" sign my up Bow Wow.

Jareef,

Your post is completely ridiculous!!! You are clearly out of touch and you don't know what you're talking about. How many people take home $3,000 a month at your ME? NO WAY!!! You can't come in here and feed us a bunch of crap, many of us have been in this industry to long to listen misleading B.S. Just admit it, you run a sweat shop, a 2 bit Wal-Mart, a get-rich-quick-scheme just waiting to fail! Hopefully you don't ruin to many careers on the way down.

Therapist- Clinic Owner in Wilmette, Illinois said: Jareef,

Your post is completely ridiculous!!! You are clearly out of touch and you don't know what you're talking about. How many people take home $3,000 a month at your ME? NO WAY!!! You can't come in here and feed us a bunch of crap, many of us have been in this industry to long to listen misleading B.S. Just admit it, you run a sweat shop, a 2 bit Wal-Mart, a get-rich-quick-scheme just waiting to fail! Hopefully you don't ruin to many careers on the way down.

So, regardless.. I rest my case about the TYPE of people who are employed by massage envy. All in all, a poor attitude. As a professional massage therapist, I understand that it's important to make a living, but not doing it in the cheapest way possible. If you are a clinic administator or an mt with massage envy - to me it's the same - the cheap way to work as an mt. Perhaps we should review the "respect for yourself and for the profession" aspect of the mt training.....

I'd be happy to show you a commission report, if it didn't violate my employee's privacy. BTW ME will have over 650 clinics open in the next 18 months. How's that for a fly-by-night-scam. You're a hater.

I work at a Massage Envy in Charlotte & was also hired as a "Clinic Administrator", it's funny once I started working all I have done is massage and no one except the owner knew I had been hired as anything other than a therapist. The slick marketing of working for "25 to 35 dollars an hour", what BS. You don't know how much people are going to tip- basically you do make 15.oo an hour and then what ever tip they want to leave you. IT'S A TOTAL RIPOFF!!!!! IF YOU ARE A THERAPIST---STAY AWAY!!!! And no you don't only do Swedish- most people have had & paid for massages before- they know they are getting a great deal so they want deep tissue for their 49. massage. You work your ass off for a measley 15. an hour. RUN FAST AWAY!!!!

Not Important in Saint Louis, Missouri said: I work at a Massage Envy in Charlotte & was also hired as a "Clinic Administrator", it's funny once I started working all I have done is massage and no one except the owner knew I had been hired as anything other than a therapist. The slick marketing of working for "25 to 35 dollars an hour", what BS. You don't know how much people are going to tip- basically you do make 15.oo an hour and then what ever tip they want to leave you. IT'S A TOTAL RIPOFF!!!!! IF YOU ARE A THERAPIST---STAY AWAY!!!! And no you don't only do Swedish- most people have had & paid for massages before- they know they are getting a great deal so they want deep tissue for their 49. massage. You work your ass off for a measley 15. an hour. RUN FAST AWAY!!!!

I think most of you people are crazy, I mean bitter, I mean you have issues, issues the a mear blog will not address or cure! I am a massage therapist and I work at massage envy. The truth is my average tip is 10.00 and on occasion a little less and on occasion a lot more. The environment is very professional and you can recieve several types of massages there, not just sweedish. Based on the customer base I've seen Massage Envy isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The majority love the experience, continue to buy memberships and continue to come back. Maybe you should just try therapy as opposed to massage therapy and figure out what is really going on.

No Name in Concord, North Carolina said: I think most of you people are crazy, I mean bitter, I mean you have issues, issues the a mear blog will not address or cure! I am a massage therapist and I work at massage envy. The truth is my average tip is 10.00 and on occasion a little less and on occasion a lot more. The environment is very professional and you can recieve several types of massages there, not just sweedish. Based on the customer base I've seen Massage Envy isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The majority love the experience, continue to buy memberships and continue to come back. Maybe you should just try therapy as opposed to massage therapy and figure out what is really going on.

Dear No Name,

There's only one "e" in Swedish, and think again!

wow..... all of those mt's over at massage envy REALLY need to justify the reasons to work there, don't they?
hm... if it was so great, why all the fuss? I mean really, is this profession supposed to be a service that is offered in discount chain of stores? what's next, offering massage therapy at walmart?

Therapist - Clinic Owner in Wilmette, Illinois said: Dear No Name,

There's only one "e" in Swedish, and think again!

People do make typing errors. Why be so critical?

My point exactly!

Bren in Saint Petersburg, Florida said: For anyone that lives remotely near a massage envy - beware! If you are interested in a "clinic administrator" position, look the other way. Be good to yourself, and look elsewhere! I had a horrible expereince applying for a CA position. The people at massage envy were very unprofessional and treat their massage therapists poorly. The CA position in itself is a joke. When interviewed, they explain about great benefits, paid training in Phoenix, and how it's a great company to work for. Well, if you are into belittling the work of massage therapist - go for it. This company strives to make massage therapists work like dogs, for very little pay, and cover it up with fancy centers and flashy marketing. Please, take my advice - if you are a massage therapist, do yourself a favor - find work in a place where you'll be appreiciated and where you can do the work you like - not do the work you are told to do.

Yes, run away. I worked for the company too. They just use therapists. And when you get hurt your out.

You guys are all nuts! I have worked as a LMT for over 10 years. I started on a cruise ship for a year, then to a prestigous spa. I took a little time and tried to start my own business which did't go too well, by the time I covered my rent, marketing, taxes, and supplies I was making next to nothing. I was thrilled when Massage Envy came to Charlotte. Not only do I have a schedule set for me, I get as many breaks as I want, I have health/dental insurance, vacation, and get to work with a great group of other therapists that all have positive attitudes. I am currently considering moving to California and will work for Massage Envy there too if I go. I focus on deep tissue massage and do about 30 massages a week. The front desk is top notch and treats us with respect. I would try it out before you judge!

AMEN, finally someone else who has had a good experience with Massage Envy, I was beginning to think I was crazy for actually liking my employer and enjoy my place of work. Ive only been a LMT for 4 months and this is my first job outside of making house calls so I have nothing to compare it to but I can say this,it has been a wonderful first experience. I don't doubt that others have had some negative experience but don't be so self consumed that you bad mouth the entire buisness and business concept in every state, every location, that is just CRAZY.

so..... i have to admit that MOST of the postings about ME are negative. Granted, there may be a few people who enjoy working with them, but it seems like most m.t.'s have had a bad/poor expereince. I think that most massage envy's need an major administrative overhaul - to learn how to respect the massage therapists that work for them. I suppose until then, most m.t. will admit working there either in management or practicing, has not been a pleasant expereince.

Bren in Saint Petersburg, Florida said: so..... i have to admit that MOST of the postings about ME are negative. Granted, there may be a few people who enjoy working with them, but it seems like most m.t.'s have had a bad/poor expereince. I think that most massage envy's need an major administrative overhaul - to learn how to respect the massage therapists that work for them. I suppose until then, most m.t. will admit working there either in management or practicing, has not been a pleasant expereince.

I don't know that I agree that "there may be a few people who enjoy working with them..." because they employ thousands of therapists and if you compare that with the # of posts here from some disgruntled employees or other business owners who feel threatened by ME, the complaints are relatively few. I think more people will take the time to write out a complaint than ones who have had a good experience. Yes, you might make more per hour working in a spa, but by the time you pay the "product fee" and do your own laundry, call clients who haven't been in for awhile, then stand around waiting 6 hours for a client during slow season, it more than averages out. I DO make between $30 and $35 per hour at ME. Maybe those people who aren't making $$ in tips ought to look at their own attitude. If you think clients can't sense on some level where you are at with that you are wrong.

Mary in Charlotte, North Carolina said: You guys are all nuts! I have worked as a LMT for over 10 years. I started on a cruise ship for a year, then to a prestigous spa. I took a little time and tried to start my own business which did't go too well, by the time I covered my rent, marketing, taxes, and supplies I was making next to nothing. I was thrilled when Massage Envy came to Charlotte. Not only do I have a schedule set for me, I get as many breaks as I want, I have health/dental insurance, vacation, and get to work with a great group of other therapists that all have positive attitudes. I am currently considering moving to California and will work for Massage Envy there too if I go. I focus on deep tissue massage and do about 30 massages a week. The front desk is top notch and treats us with respect. I would try it out before you judge!

It's interesting to see these comments. I'm a potential franchisee. What do you see are the biggest challenges to recruiting and retaining MTs? Anything else you'd like to share with me would be appreciated! Thx much!

When I was offered the position as Clinic Administrator, I was told that the hardest part of my job was going to be keeping massage therapists. The manager told me about how difficult is was/is for her to keep therapists and to keep up the high amount of turnover. I think what is happeining to the the ME's here is that the therapists that are being hired are either way to new in the profession and don't know what they want, or the management drives them out.

I really think that most therapists who work at massage envy are looking just for what ME is offering to it's clients - a quick fix. It's an easy place to get a job, all you have to do is show up, and really just be part of the corporate rat race that they are promoting. I mean, really what therapist do you know is actually making a decent living working at ME alone? Any ME therapist I know has at least one other job - somewhere - so that they can make decent money. AND for whatever reason - the ME (or so the posts here say) in North Carolina are the busiest and best place.... hmm, I'm not sure if I can stretch my imagination far enough to beleive that.

Not Important in Saint Louis, Missouri said: I work at a Massage Envy in Charlotte & was also hired as a "Clinic Administrator", it's funny once I started working all I have done is massage and no one except the owner knew I had been hired as anything other than a therapist. The slick marketing of working for "25 to 35 dollars an hour", what BS. You don't know how much people are going to tip- basically you do make 15.oo an hour and then what ever tip they want to leave you. IT'S A TOTAL RIPOFF!!!!! IF YOU ARE A THERAPIST---STAY AWAY!!!! And no you don't only do Swedish- most people have had & paid for massages before- they know they are getting a great deal so they want deep tissue for their 49. massage. You work your ass off for a measley 15. an hour. RUN FAST AWAY!!!!

How much commision does a therapist make at ME?

Stupid for working at ME in El Cajon, California said: Yes, run away. I worked for the company too. They just use therapists. And when you get hurt your out.

I would love more info as I am thinking of working there.
would someone who has worked there be kind enough to call me.
thanks
susan 310-623-2177

I have been a practicing massage therapist for 13 years. ME sounds like a perfect place for a new therapist to atart out in the field. There is a steady pay, with none of the risks associated with starting your own practice. By the time you pay marketing, lease, utilities, advertising, supplies, etc., your take-home pay drops significantly. Don't get me wrong, I think a therapist that has been out of school long enough to gain some experience and build a clientele would probably be better off on their own. But to gain exerience and make a steady income with benefits and without the risk, ME seems like a perfect choice.

It seems to me, that with the average annual salary for massage therapists at

Bren in Saint Petersburg, Florida said: wow..... all of those mt's over at massage envy REALLY need to justify the reasons to work there, don't they?
hm... if it was so great, why all the fuss? I mean really, is this profession supposed to be a service that is offered in discount chain of stores? what's next, offering massage therapy at walmart?

Why Not!! Walmart is offering healthcare, eyeglasses, etc.HA-HA! We shouldn't even be joking about Walmart having massage. BIG BROTHER is watching and it just might happen!!!!!!!!!!!GOD FORBID--- Maybe they'll open Massage Envys IN Walmart.

No Name in Orange Park, Florida said: Why Not!! Walmart is offering healthcare, eyeglasses, etc.HA-HA! We shouldn't even be joking about Walmart having massage. BIG BROTHER is watching and it just might happen!!!!!!!!!!!GOD FORBID--- Maybe they'll open Massage Envys IN Walmart.

lol..... you are so right no name..... scary isn't it? and all of these people who are interested in franchising with ME! I'm sure it will happen sooner than later!

I am a client and have gotten some really good massages at ME. But the problem is apparently that there is such turnover there - if you find a good therapist you can't keep them. Also, the many massages don't last the specified time or even close to it because the therapist has to turn around the room for the next massage.

I certainly appreciate the efforts some of these kids put into giving massages and don't like that they are not treated that well. I always try to give a good tip to help alleviate their problems. It could be an o.k. place for a person new at the profession. I don't feel ripped off as a client, but ME could do a lot better. Will reconsider at end of my membership.

I'll call you but until then, just know that it truly depends on the managers in terms of your personal experience. Not all managers are bad, not all therapist are bad and not all locations are bad. You may want to simply try it and judge for yourself. Based on the comments posted there are some people who have obviously had some bad experiences. My personal experience has been an over all good one, not perfect but good. I am a former client and now employee.

I would average $21/hr. 40 hrs at the clinic with about 31 massages, take home.

I don't know if you are aware of this, but massage therapists are notorious for jumping around from job to job. It seems many think they can do better elsewhere, but then don't stay much longer at their next job either. A lot of people come into the field and then realize it's not for them and move on to other things. I've known a lot of theraists and this seems to be pretty standard.

Massage Envy is amazingly cynical and exploitative, once you get past the soft focus exterior. Their marketing robots think their customers are amazingly stupid, i.e. their new "magazine" is full of childish, medically dangerous junk science and bigotry. I had to fight like hell, including several long distance phone calls, to even get their HQ phone number (their CEO is a coward, and they have no national customer service contacts). Avoid them at all costs, unless you, say, believe in Bigfoot and think that people can cure cancer by eating roughage.

i am a mind/body/spirit therapist with a masters degree in psychology i am on a massage school advisory board and saw ME staff sure they can do better and so ill apply on monday and either help them out or straighten this out!! they do hire alot of mts who would otherwise be unemployed, i see good in everything, i find the good in all! so lets be positive!!!!!!!!!!!

MassageGuy in Greenville, South Carolina said: ME sounds like a perfect place for a new therapist to atart out in the field. There is a steady pay, with none of the risks associated with starting your own practice. By the time you pay marketing, lease, utilities, advertising, supplies, etc., your take-home pay drops significantly. Don't get me wrong, I think a therapist that has been out of school long enough to gain some experience and build a clientele would probably be better off on their own. But to gain exerience and make a steady income with benefits and without the risk, ME seems like a perfect choice.

And that is exactly why I am signing up with ME, here in Lubbock. I just got my license. I am in debt and don't have the capital and leisure to start my own practice. Working for a spa or chiropracter doesn't appeal to me at this time.

I am not planning to stay at ME, it gives me a launch point into the industry and the ability to stabilize myself financially as I try to reign in my debt. It gives me the time to think and be methodical as I embrace my new career as a massage therapist. I am just not ready yet psychologically to go it on my own. I need experience and perspective, which I can get at ME. I am using them as much as they are using me.

I think we should all check our attitudes. There is room for all of us to work at all ranges of pay scales. The client that wants to pay $65-100 for an independent practicing massage therapist is not the same client that wants to pay $39 at ME. If you're charging 100 bucks for a massage and you lose a client to ME (and don't get them back in 1-2 months) then you're either charging too much for the quality of work, or your client is ignorant and focussed on the money and not the quality of work. In either case, the client has gone to a more appropriate practicioner.

I understand criticism and concern, but those of you that are foaming at the mouth are sounding very insecure. -Ed

Lets see here Edward, you're a new MT who's in debt and whose life wasn't working out doing whatever else it was you were doing so you chose to get into massage. I think that's great and I wish you much success. But if you can honestly read all of the criticism here about ME from people that have either worked there or have been doing this for a long time and read only that they are "insecure" you yourself are being incredibly naive.

The tone of the people defending ME is often condescending and childish and they often come off as shills for the company which I would not be at all surprised to find out they were. Why you've got one person who comes from Charlotte who seems to be posting as three different people. How insecure is that?

If you think you are going to get out of debt or launch a career working at ME good luck. If you gain experience there I hope it serves you. But if after a period of working there you yourself have some criticisms I hope you'll be man enough to share them. Likewise share them if it's a great experience for you. But do not totally discount the voices of those who share their concerns about a field and a company you are only now just exploring. There's a reason many people are speaking out.

That said I am in the higher end of the massage field paywise and have had at least a dozen unhappy ME clients in the last 3 months come to me happy to pay considerably more for my skills because the truth is people don't think "value" or "cheap" when they think of personal services. It's a psychological thing. I'm all for MT's getting well paid. It's not a life you get rich off of. But as far as MT's happy to be making 15 bucks an hour I say "argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours."

I'm from Charlotte, work at ME and think it's a great place to work. The owners I work for pay for CEUs and we have benefits, receive bonuses and are treated well. I do very well with tips and am happy there and I know quite a few other therapiss who are too.

That's great SueWest. I wonder if you could share in detail the benefits and bonuses you talk about. Paying CEU's is really not such a big deal. It's a write off for whoever pays them but I'd be interested in the benefits you speak of. To be honest what I have seen offered from ME in terms of benefits in an article in Forbes was pretty lame. What makes your different?

I don't know if I am able to talk about the benefits in detail because of the confidentiality clause I signed. I think paying for CEU's is a big deal. So many people on this board mentioned how expensive it can be to maintain licenses and it can be costly to attend classes.

The point is CEU's are a write off as and far as taking some to maintain a license each year it's a small cost of business expense. Massage classes don't cost that much. If an MT can't afford to take a class or two then perhaps they need to be making more money is the point. I think given the choice most would chose that.

I'm not buying your excuse for not sharing benefits info. That would not be covered in a confidentiality agreement unless your employer didn't want people to now how bad they were. If they are good the PR from letting people know about them would be invaluable. Based on what I've read from others and your unwillingness to share them here I'm willing to bet they aren't so great. Just saying you get "benefits" is meaningless. You can your cards on the table if you've got a good hand or fold like you just did.

Okay, this is my last response and I have no intentions of even reading any more responses. I just can't handle people who think their experience is the be all end all of experiences as well as their opionion. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT! What works for you may not work for someone else and vice versa. Why do the people that have had bad experiences with Massage Envy act like it is impossible to have a good one? Why do you attack and put down people that have a different experience than you had? If ME was so bad why would they be opening up all over the US? I can't take the arrogance nor the immaturity or the lack of reason. That being said good luck to you all. I'm going to continue enjoying my job and pursue my goals and dreams.

Burbank,

Thanks for the response. And yes, I will take into consideration everything that is being said (after filtering out the rhetoric and excessive emotions). I'm trying to get as balanced a view as possible while not pre-judging going into the situation.

Like I said, I'm not planning to stay there. I'm just using it as a stepping stone.

But something I think everyone needs to take into consideration is that ME is a corporation with franchises. Each individual franchise is going to have its own culture and atmosphere. Granted the fish rots from the head down, i.e. corporate policies either enable, prevent or promote certain franchise owner behaviors, but it is pretty much the local franchise owner who is the most reponsible person for the practice and culture of the local shop. I don't think its fair to judge one franchise owner by another's poor standards.

I don't find it hard to believe that there are MTs, new and vets, that enjoy working for ME. And I'm not surprised that there are people that don't like it and feel used or abused by their experience there. There are so many factors at play and I think its up to each person to find what's right for them, and stand up for their boundaries. In the end its business and the market will decide what it wants and it thinks is fair.

Like I said. I'm a Noob. No real world experience. But the way I like to learn is by sticking my hand in the oven. Getting burned isn't a bad thing if you have your eyes open. And I don't think I can be a real massage therapist (able to have a valid opinion about the industry) without a range of positive and negative experiences under my belt.

I hear you with respect to "argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours." I appreciate the reminder about how I set my own limitations.

Thanks for your response, Burbank.

Peace, Edward

elsewhere in Burbank, California said: That's great SueWest. I wonder if you could share in detail the benefits and bonuses you talk about.

I haven't signed any contracts towards confidentiality and even if I did I would still talk about the terms of my employment with people. I'm with you on that matter, confidentiality is pretty lame except for when it comes to client patient confidentiality.

Here's what I have been told about the working terms for the ME opening here in lubbock.
1) base pay is minimum while not working on a body and 15/hr + tips while working on a body.
2) No dental, no opthemalogy. Have to work 30.5 + hours to get insurance. The insurance is $25 co-pay for general practicioner, $50 co-pay for specialist (This is all from memory at the first interview, nothing on paper, no idea if there are gotchyas) I think ME splits policy membership costs.
3) Dress code is slacks, ME shirt, closed toe shoes.
4) All I do is clock in, sit in the break room until I get a client, go out and give a massage, put the sheets up, refill the bottle and thats it. They do everything else, advertising, recruiting clients, managing files, intake forms, etc. The shifts are a little awkward, 8-3, 3-10, but I think they'll be a little more flexible.
5) They do have a no-compete clause, I can't take a person I meet at ME into my own private practice. (No idea how long this is in effect, after quitting or if the client chases me). I can work on my own and for any other Spa, I just can't recruit clients from ME.
6) Top 40 employees in region get CEUs paid for. And there were some other benefits like this that I don't remember.
7) I was told there were also corporate projects and retreats that were available either to all employees or top performing employees.
8) I can quit at any time for any reason. I can get fired at any time for any reason.

I plan to grow my own private practice, and rely on that in the future. -Ed

Ed- You sound like a really fantastic guy and I'm glad you are going to be an MT. We need more like you. Thanks for your level headed and informative responses. I wish you the best in all you pursue. I have no doubt you will go far.

Ok I couldn't resist reading and Finally a leveled headed mature response. I have shared similar comments, maybe this time it will get accross. Thank your for sharing your experience. These coments can be so emotional that you wonder what is REALLY going on with people.

The difference between you ("SueWest". "Mary", "No Name" etc. all from Charlotte no less) and Ed is that he doesn't negate the comments about ME that aren't positive and over react.

That said I truly wish all of you the very best.

OK, you want me to negate the negative comments about Massage Envy? I can only tell you from my own personal experience that has been positive. As I said before, I've worked on cruise ships, spas and my own. If you have ever truly had your own business you can't realize fully what Massage Envy offers MT's. Rent, marketing, taxes, supplies, accounting not to mention safety. I know the clinic I work at supports me fully and lets me focus on my clients. If you are not successful at Massage Envy then you should look in the mirror. All they ask you to do is Massage. Maybe you have chosen the wrong profession. The clinic where I work puts their therapists needs first and foremost. They are always bringing in food on weekends, group events and always checking with their staff on suggestions and improvements. I couldn't be happier than where I am right now.

Mary- Thank you for sharing your positive experiences. Glad you are happy. You are obviously where you belong.

Now since you've shared your experiences let me share mine. I don't work for ME and never have. I have never worked for anybody but myself. I have one of the most successful private practices in Hollywood. I have been doing massage for 25 years, done over 30,000 sessions and my clients are the people you see in the movies and read about in magazines. I get paid way too much for what I do but what can I say? I guess I'm pretty good at this. I don't say this to try to impress anyone, it is just a statement of fact like your experiences were about you. Obviously I have chosen the right profession for me. I realize my situation is unique but it shouldn't be.

But as someone who has done this for years I realize it is incumbent upon me to pass on certain things I have learned so that others may experience similar success and happiness in their work. Massage is a unique profession, it always has been. My concerns about ME don't affect me personally. My clients would never go to one. But the virtual hegemony they seek in a profession which until now has existed without the emphasis on greed and avarice is disturbing to me and to others obviously as witnessed by the many reports on this forum from both former employess and clients.

I care about this work. It is my life not my hobby. I care about the reputation of the profession and I care about those who seek it as a way of being. Anything that distracts from the essential power of the work gives me cause, both as a teacher and an advocate for massage therapists and the world of massage in general, to voice myself.

Again, ME will never touch someone like me. Wrong league. But anything that potentially damages the reputation of the profession I have spent half my life in will capture my interest enough to speak out about it.

Yes, you are in a unique position; living in Hollywood and loving what you do is the key to success. I see so many MT's that I work with that are there for a paycheck. They don't take their work seriously. For North Carolina, not a lot of celbraties here, however, I have worked on several pro football players and golfers that are members at our clinic. I think the Massage Envy's across the country get a cross mix of clients. Because Massage Envy is open 88 hours, 7 days per week and shifts available all times of the day/night, Massage Envy offers a convenience aspect that many cannot accomodate. I'm glad you are happy with your work. The Massage Envy where I work has 34 MT's and 1,300 Members. The Members average 2 massages a month. Our clientele is upscale , maybe not by Hollywood standards! But there are a lot of Mercedes and BMW's in the parking lot. They are also pretty good tippers!

Sounds like you are the owner.

I thought the same thing Bob. Either that or a professional shill. ME is famous for those.