Massage Envy Salaries, Bonuses and Benefits.

I am also considering the franchise option. My guess is that few individuals know what a franchise costs, let alone a full-time business with many employees if they own a sole-proprietor business. Insurance - I was disappointed ME has benefit option for those employees who do not need insurance. Many employees have dual incomes - as individuals with more than one job or with partners who have insurance. ME is large enough to not be dependent on "everyone being on the plan" to qualify for a cmpetitive policy. Although more bodies keeps premiums lower, employees who don't need insurance should receive a compariable benefit. I think $20 - 25 is a more reasonable hourly rate for MT. The tip factor is not bankable (plus, I like to share tips with the front desk staff.) If MT without insurance were paid this amount it would reinforce the value of the insurance being paid for other employees. As a franchise owner I would also offer profit sharing. Letting employees have a stake in the success of a business is good business. It doesn't have to be much to start off to have impact. Constantly hiring people is a time-consuming waste of revenue. I have worked for a manager with an "employees are a dime a dozen" attitude and it has cost him. Like most other professions, word gets around quickly if someone is a schmuck. Sharing some basic cost/revenue info with employees is wiser than letting gossip and the subsequent "group think" rule.

I agree with A Male Therapist. I work in a hospital now and most of the doctors only know what relates to their area of choice. Ask your Gyno about a broken hyoid and they'll be lost. Guarantee it. They are required to learn it for their profession, does no mean they remember it. I heard a doctor tell a guy he broke his zygoma......meaning???? So before you go jumping and laughing thinking you made a fool of someone check the statistics. Most doctors don't remember half of what they learned. But Please Client Have A Nice Day.

I agree with you about doctor's being limited in scope. They know generally where everything is and what it's called. They are not specialists in all fields, however, (think about it, common sense tells you that "specialties" mean focusing on that area in school for years).

For some people ignorance is bliss and they tend to go through life specializing in finding every opportunity to criticize others, to compensate for their shortcomings to which they'll never admit. I feel sorry for clients who are subjected to this personality for a full hour.

i agree with Cheree, that doctors dont remember everything they learned in shcool. the same thing goes with LMTs. In school you are taught a little about ALMOST everything about massage depending on what school you go to. I am a LMT myself so I know this world of massage. LMTs all have one thing in common and they know the basics of massage but you do have some that specialize in one or two types of massage like doctors and the ones that dont specialize in one thing may know a little about another type of massage and that is the diference. where one doctor may be lost about another med condition two dif therapist may be able to touch on the subject of the topic but that doesnt mean that you will go to that same LMT for that treatment. I do more NMT, DT, Myofascial work where as some of my co-workers have no idea what to do with ppl with that need those types of treatment. some know about it but dont know how to administer the treatment

Same goes with therapits, lawyers, engineers, etc. We all forget what we learn in school if we do not apply and use it on the regular basis. Yet, A MALE THERAPIST is implying that the rule does not apply to the LMT, and that the LMT know more than the docs. That is why I disagree with. given that a MD learns a lot more than a LMT (or a nurse, or a dentist) during more years of school and practice, if both the MD and the LMT forget the 80% they do not use everyday, still the 20% remining knowledge of the MD results in more material than the 20% of the LMT (simply because the bucket was larger to begin with).
I am NOT an MD, but know and see those who are, and I have seen what they go through and how much they have to learn, not to mention the sacrifices they have to make and the sleepless nights, which I know personally I would not be able to cope with. The result is that I have tremendous respect for them, and do I even dare compare my line of work and my schooling (even though I have 2 gradute degrees and 9 years of college) to the MDs. I dont' think it is fair and/or respectful for the MALE THERAPIST to make the comparison he has made with the MDs.

Hello,
I just accepted a position as a Junior Clinic Administrator in a ME opening in my area in a few days. My basic duties will be to mediate between massage therapists and the higher administration. Though this is not my long term career of choice, I feel (given the owner and his positive energy) that this is a good place for me at this point in time. So, I need to know, from LMTs that have worked at ME, what can someone in my position do to make your work environment more pleasant? I can't change the wages or any of the other basic rules, but is there anything else I can do to make you feel more respected, valued, worthwhile? I believe everyone should have access to the therapeutic benefits of massage, but I certainly don't believe LMTs should suffer so that we can all have our massages...What can I do to help???

From my experience as a therapist at ME thus far I would suggest the following:

1. Be sure to ask the client if they enjoyed their massage. If they answer in the affirmative hand them a tip envelope while asking if they would like to leave a tip. If they indicate they were not happy, hand them a customer survey (assuming ME has one) and them they don't have to sign it if they want but that it has been your experience that massage therapists (and mgmt) want to improve their service and are always concerned if someone isn't happy. (Surely ME provides you with some procedure for this.)

2. I provided a chart for our front staff when were busy two weekends and the room schedule was a mess. Because ME wants to book every room every hour they needed a different schedule to "sign out" rooms - one that accounted for every hour.

3. Our front staff controls the ac in the building so while the massage charting/break/laundry room was hot they were as cool as cucumbers.

3. Work as a team. When a MT pitches in and helps you with your assigned tasks, say 'thanks'. One of our front staff simply asked how things were going on a hectic day and that was a nice touch.

4. Keep an eye on the chart/lotion pickup area. We don't want to bother you while you are helping a client. However, we have very little time to work and don't have time to wait for assistance.

Thanks for asking ... you will be a welcomed addition in any facility. (And hopefully, the MT will occassionally share some of those tips you help generate.)

Thank you! I REALLY appreciate your feedback!

I am a 15 year experienced massage therapist, owned my own business for 10 years, and work part time in a "real Spa" and part time at ME. I like the wages of the SPA we get 40% plus tips, but we are ON CALL, in a seasonal area, during SEASON you can pull in $1000 a week, but you are working your butt off. Then in the off season your lucky to make $100 a week. So I decided to suplimet my income at ME, I must say that I have built a very good clientel, it has the feel of owning my own business with out the overhead cost. With that said there are issues at the ME I work at, mostly it is a communication problem, between upper management/owners to the therapist. I was told when hired we would be getting a $1.00 bonus every 3 months there until the one year mark where we will be making $20 per hour service. Well now the management stated that is at 2 years. NONE of those BONUS items were ever written down for the therapist so we have no recourse. With that said our manager fights for our group, if she can find some little idea that would get the therapist or front desk people happy she does what ever she can to accomplish it. We recently had a free seminar available to us, on reflexology and pregnancy massage. Our front desk people all ways ask about breaks for us and are willing to only book sweedish for you if that is all you are up to, their goal is to keep you happy at work, and not burn you out.
I believe that massage schools are partly to blame here, they tell you that you can make $80 or more an hour with out even going into what it takes to own a business. There are no easy roads to making real $$$, if you work with good business ethics, are respectful to the clients and honest with yourself and others the $ will come.

I also work for ME, We DO NOT get a $5.00 bonus for every client that becomes a member. We DO get a $1.00 on every member massaged, requested or not. At the beginning we were paid $7.00/hr or $15.00/per massage which ever was the highest amount until the clinic got busy. I think all the places are run differently. This week, they offered the therapists 2 paid ceu classes. Pre-Natal and Reflexology, which was wonderful if you could afford to take off and go. When I asked if we were going to get paid to take off, I was told I had a bad attitude and didnt appreciate what ME does for us. Well, I am a single mom so I didnt go, but another therapist came back today and told me there were other ME therapists there that were paid for their time. So It comes down to the owner. The particular ME I work in is poorly ran by a person whom from the beginning talked to the front desk and other therapists about everone else's business when the info should have stayed private in her office. She does not show the therapist respect, she does for one and not the other. This experience- which I will be moving on soon, has been just that - experience that I needed to move on to bigger and better things. :)

I have been a clinic owner, therapist and employer of other therapists for over 25 years. Massage Envy has just come into my area and I have spent some time investigating it. I believe that the business model is deeply flawed and destined for utter failure. I have received six (6) massages at three of the ME centers in past 4 months and they were all substandard. The biggest problem that I see is that the only winners are the franchisor and the franchisee. In order for a business to have success and longevity, it has to make everyone a winner. The client and the therapist have to feel good about being there. There is low insentive for the therapists which will always effect quality. The therapists are just pawns for owners churning the clients looking for 300 or more per week for it to make being an owner make sense. One of the locations that I've visited has done only 3,000 treatments in 7 months, that's about 100 a week. If my math is right, they need at least 175 a week mjust to pay their rent. At that rate, they'll be out of business in no time. I believe we're going to be hearing about these facilities closing very soon. As a therapist, I have a real problem with the membership thing, it cheapens our profession terribly. These are my main points, but there are many more problems also. Read the Forbes article published recently on ME. I would encourage anyone considering working at an ME and/or more importantly, anyone considering a franchise purchase, to run for the hills. Just say no to Massage Envy!

It's a good thing everyone has choices....If you're a good therapist and can work independantly making $50 or more per hour consistently - DO IT! However, Massage Envy can keep a therapist as busy as THEY WANT TO BE and if you perform 5 sessions a day (4 days on and 3 days off) you can easily make 40K a year. Not bad when you don't do any marketing of your own, answer a single phone call, do any wash or buy any product! The facility is great with first class hydraulic tables, well-tipping customers and friendly co-workers. Consistency is the deal here. I couldn't find this kind of work elsewhere this easily period! I think it's great and its easy. Check it out before you condition yourself to think its a sweat shop. Its a great opportunity instead!

Massage Envy can keep a therapist as busy as THEY WANT TO BE and if you perform 5 sessions a day (4 days on and 3 days off) you can easily make 40K a year.

That's completely rediculous!!! They pay $15.00 per hour and if you're lucky you'll average $15.00 in tips. That math equals 30k a year. Most likely the tips will be less, most therapists probably average closer to 25k per year. Francis, you sound like a Massage Envy owner, are you?

I went ME today. I enjoyed my massage, tipped $15 and felt great. The LMT I had today works 6 hours a day, 4 days a week and 7 hours on Saturday. She says she does about 5 massages most days.

BTW, No one ever asked me about "joining" although I expected it. In fact, no one even mentioned it. Is that standard? How do they expect to get members if no one asks for the "sale?"

I am a customer at Massage Envy. It is funny, because I went to the one on River Oaks in Houston, Tx and they had horrible customer service, a fair massage theripist. I was about to cancel my membership when I went to another location on West Universtiy where I they have excellent customer service, wonderful managment and first class service. Guess what? Both places are owned by the same person!!

I am sorry for all the employees that are unhappy with their job, but remember you can always change jobs and get a new one You have the opportunity over your life just as I as a customer am able to leave.

I am thankful for massage envy West University location and the low price less than $39.00. I got in before the price increased and at that time the Houston River Oaks location was pretty good. If you don't like working for massaage envy you might want to get a new job.
Even if the onwer is the same it might be better at a new location.

I have a question for massage theripist who work at Massage Envy. I usually tip $15.000 for an hour and a half massage. I base this on 15% I use to pay for my therapist whom I really can't afford, because it is to high for me. Believe me I am not saying he is not worth it, but I can't afford $100.00 for an hour and a half massage with a tip. Is this fair keeping in mind that I am not one of the wealthy clients that gets a massage for enjoyment I am doing it for medical reason.

Thank you,

Kelly

Once again evryone, especially customers of Massage Envy. I wouldnt expect any of you to complain about getting a massage for $39, but it does take away from the massage industry. Customers will always defend Envy, because its cheap, but there is more at stake here than cost. Sure, we can always work somewhere else, or can we? If Envy is causing other clinics to close because of the bargain basement massage pricing, what happens to the competition? Remember, without competition you will end up with less options and eventually Massage Envy will change the costs if they have no one to compete with. The bottom line is, cheapen the field and soon the therapists coming out of school will be low quality and so will the service. No one will spend that kind of money to get certified to make $15 hr. Thats one of the reasons we have a Teacher shortage in this country. You will get what you ask for, I just think its a real shame.

kelly, i do not work at ME. But I am LMT. I work at a spa that charges 125 i believe for 80 min. this is a resort spa that i work at. I still say that is a too much. I dont care how much money I had i wouldnt pay that for a massage because every massage isnt worth that. I have a lady that comes to see me every friday for med. reasons. Because we are not suppose to use work to get clients she keeps coming. I really feel bad because i know i can come to her home and do the same work for way less. Some say i am crazy but I dont do it for the money, I do it because i love it. I charge 40 an hour and 60 for 1.5. some say that isnt enough. but if u think about it. doing out calls. most ppl will tip so at 3 a day 4-5 days a week that is anyhwere between 600-750 a week. I do the work because i like it. I am not trying to get rich. so if a therapist REALLY LOVES the work they do they wouldnt gripe about a tip.

frank in Lafayette, Louisiana said: kelly, i do not work at ME. But I am LMT. I work at a spa that charges 125 i believe for 80 min. this is a resort spa that i work at. I still say that is a too much. I dont care how much money I had i wouldnt pay that for a massage because every massage isnt worth that. I have a lady that comes to see me every friday for med. reasons. Because we are not suppose to use work to get clients she keeps coming. I really feel bad because i know i can come to her home and do the same work for way less. Some say i am crazy but I dont do it for the money, I do it because i love it. I charge 40 an hour and 60 for 1.5. some say that isnt enough. but if u think about it. doing out calls. most ppl will tip so at 3 a day 4-5 days a week that is anyhwere between 600-750 a week. I do the work because i like it. I am not trying to get rich. so if a therapist REALLY LOVES the work they do they wouldnt gripe about a tip.

I dont really put alot of emphisis on the tip, but if you are getting $15 for the hr, you need the tip! So far as loving what you do, I do alot of volunteer work and work alot with the elderly and Cancer patients, so I think that shows the love I have for my work, but I think its unfair to say that if you love your work, you should take any pay offered? The guilt thing just doesnt work, sorry.

i didnt mean to make it sound like a guilt thing. I really based the tip thing off some of my co-workers. we get good tips where i work but when someone doesnt get a 15 or 20 dollar tip they get upset. i just feel like my co-workers are spoiled a lil bit. excluding tips we make about 110-150 a day. we work about 3-5 days week it varies on your schedule or if u work for someone else. 130x4= 520 a week before taxes. a good week is 700

I work 5 days a week- get anywhere from 1 to 5 clients a day. I get paid every 2 weeks, I am barely making it, I have yet to make over 1200. a month. That includes tips left on credit cards. I have to work some Saturdays just to make extra money. Like I said before, this place is good for newbies to get your hands on a lot of bodies and for anyone that has kids to support.

chronic aches ... and a teacher in Orlando, Florida said: I'm glad, but disappointed, that I did a basic Google search for ME in addition to just going to the site. My husband and I are both teachers, and previous posts have addressed how much money we make. I'd seen a blurb about the new ME opening up and had thought about asking for a membership as a present for my very first Mothers' Day.

Now, I know I couldn't be comfortable, wondering how overworked and angry the therapist was. My workplace exploits all of us terribly, and it's all we can do to provide quality instruction to our students when we are so torn up and beaten down on the inside. Try feeling that way and then inspiring/controlling over 25 teenagers each hour for 6 hours [plus the hour or so you're expected to "supervise" on hallway duty, parking lot duty, etc.]

So, now that I know ME is a racket and exploits its workers, what can a fellow underpaid/exploited worker with no real money do about chronic muscle pain and stiffness and stress?

While it is true that massage envy is a racket, and we were promised alot of things that just don't seem to happen, I don't think that the therapist would take it out on the client, or at least I would hope we wouldn't. I am sure that most come because it is a cheap massage, but there are those that come because they really cant afford any other place. I have had clients tell me that they would follow me, ( or should I say hunt down) because they are so happy with my work. I am sure that you would have to agree that just because management underpays you as a teacher, you wouldnt take it out on the students, and some, you would stay for just them. This is how we feel... but I have told my clients that I will not be there long. I too am very dissapointed in the lies that we were fed when we started there, and I have not been there long, but know after this blog that things are not going to get better...

LMT/CMT in Phoenix, Arizona:

While I do agree with the rule of competition you are bringing up, may i remind you that Walmart and Nordstrom can coexist without hurting each other businesses because they are targeting different market?

here is how it goes: for those you want and can afford a relaxing day at the SPA, a $100 massage is the answer. for those who need the massage becasuse of whatever other reason and don't have the $$$ for the day at the SPA, a $39, 50 minsutes massage does the job (like the reacher who deals with 30 kids all day, every day)

One can choose to work at walmart or at nordstrom, the benefits are different depending on the choice (for instance if you work at walmart, you dont' have the pressure to make your sales goals, at nordstrom, you do). Massage industry, like all other idustries, is the same.

Anther thing the LMT should realize: some can barely afford paying the hourly rate, do they CANNOT afford to tip you. so, instead of just expecting more, please cross over to the people's planet! And btw, do you guys pay taxes on the tips? because the person paying you $15 in tips, had to make some $30 before tax in order to be able to pay it to you.

Does anyone know anything about the Hudson, Wisconsin location? I know that there are at least a couple of people who have posted who live in or near the Twin Cities so I thought maybe they they might know something about this location.

It's simple, if you are truly getting the massage for medical purposes then most insurances do cover it. If they don't then do what you gotta do and as you can. I'm a LMT as well as a PCT/CNA.
I do my PCT/CNA work 12 hrs a day 3 days a week to fill in the gap massage therapy leaves in finances. On off time it is possible to find other work to fill the money void. I know the excuses most will use, heard them all before. If I can do it though, anyone else can.
I'm a divorced mom with 3 kids, no family to help me out with my kids. Remember where there is a Will there is a Way. Best wishes to all of you and may you soon find happiness in your field of choice.

Where are you working now?
I have not met Gloria, the owner, in person but she responded promptly to my query. I visited the facility this past weekend and liked the setup. The front desk staff were very friendly and I was graciously offered a tour. I have only seen three facilites so far and the massage rooms are all pretty much sthe same. At Hudson they have a couple's room which I am guessing doubles for a accessible room. I didn't check out the table but some facilites have tables with hydraulic, some don't. My guess is that as revenue is available hydraulic is purchased. Big plus ... their laundry room/breakroom/charting room (combining all three seems to be the norm) also had a door to the outside which was the rear entrance for employees. This was a nice feature allowing staff to change after they arrive or to get some fresh air in the room. At the other place it gets pretty warm and crowded on the weekend with 15 people washing up (no sinks in rooms), doing laundry, charting, eating, checking the coumputerized sheduler on the wall ... More parking was available this way too. The drive through coffee shop next door will help traffic. P.S. The only laundry done onsite is face cradles and hand towels. Sheets are white, fresh, crisp, plentiful and supplied by a vendor.

The word to the wise therapist and client is ... mix it up. I would never expect to eat at just one resturant. Sometimes you want to be "wined and dined" and next time a icy cold beer and burger is just what you wanted. Maybe you blow the budget to get the highlighting done properly and then go to Cost Cutters for the rest of the year for a basic, no-frills cut. Therapists should do the same. Don't steal clients, but work in more than one setting. Every place has its pluses. You might make an extra buck at the spa but you might be expected to do wraps, sell product, have to wait for your client to finish their facial, nails, hair "wasting" really taking 2 hours for a one-hour massage. You get paid $40, but it works out to $20/hr. The client leaves a nice $25 tip but comes once a year. Mix it up. Hang your own shingle if you specialize or have a driving urge to run your own business. But having some hours on the books at ME or similar (local sports club, community center) will give some options. Freelancers and consultants of all stripes mix it up.

client in CA in American Canyon, California said: LMT/CMT in Phoenix, Arizona:

While I do agree with the rule of competition you are bringing up, may i remind you that Walmart and Nordstrom can coexist without hurting each other businesses because they are targeting different market?

here is how it goes: for those you want and can afford a relaxing day at the SPA, a $100 massage is the answer. for those who need the massage becasuse of whatever other reason and don't have the $$$ for the day at the SPA, a $39, 50 minsutes massage does the job (like the reacher who deals with 30 kids all day, every day)

One can choose to work at walmart or at nordstrom, the benefits are different depending on the choice (for instance if you work at walmart, you dont' have the pressure to make your sales goals, at nordstrom, you do). Massage industry, like all other idustries, is the same.

Anther thing the LMT should realize: some can barely afford paying the hourly rate, do they CANNOT afford to tip you. so, instead of just expecting more, please cross over to the people's planet! And btw, do you guys pay taxes on the tips? because the person paying you $15 in tips, had to make some $30 before tax in order to be able to pay it to you.

Actually I do pay taxes on the tip and the hourly rate. So you do the math. If Im taxed on a $10 tip and a $15 per hr pay, that does not leave much remember, we are not doing a massage EVERY hr, so $15 may sound ok, but how about 3 massages in a 5 hr. shift?. Again, I never said that people should not go to Envy, if thats what you can afford, then go for it. This forum is about how envy does business and pays their therapists. You dont want therapists to make more so that YOU wont get charged more, a little one sided I think. True both high end spas and Envy can co-exist, the problem is, Envy does not want to co-exist. I know, I was a manager for one Envy location. Ive seen the business plan and the goal.

LMT/CMT in Phoenix, Arizona said: Actually I do pay taxes on the tip and the hourly rate. So you do the math. If Im taxed on a $10 tip and a $15 per hr pay, that does not leave much remember, we are not doing a massage EVERY hr, so $15 may sound ok, but how about 3 massages in a 5 hr. shift?. Again, I never said that people should not go to Envy, if thats what you can afford, then go for it. This forum is about how envy does business and pays their therapists. You dont want therapists to make more so that YOU wont get charged more, a little one sided I think. True both high end spas and Envy can co-exist, the problem is, Envy does not want to co-exist. I know, I was a manager for one Envy location. Ive seen the business plan and the goal.

I have never seen the business plan and I don't have to see it to know what these people are all about. They are all about using therapists and clients like sheep to churn big numbers. It's all about the numbers! They don't care about delivering quality or care about therapist retention, it's just about selling memberships. Just like the health club industry that their founder came from. I hate this concept with a passion because it threatens to ruin a great industry that was built by hardworking, good people. Therapists need to wake up and smell the coffee, don't let a very small group of misguided entrepreneurs destroy our future. I encourage anyone who works for them now to QUIT and anyone who's thinking about working for them to FORGET ABOUT IT! Work for a real clinic and real paople who won't lie to you and will treat you right. Let's not forget about paying you a living wage.

LMT/CMT in Phoenix, Arizona said: True both high end spas and Envy can co-exist, the problem is, Envy does not want to co-exist. I know, I was a manager for one Envy location. Ive seen the business plan and the goal.

Please tell you more about the "plan" and the "Goal".

LMT/CMT in Phoenix, Arizona said: True both high end spas and Envy can co-exist, the problem is, Envy does not want to co-exist. I know, I was a manager for one Envy location. Ive seen the business plan and the goal.

Correction

LMT/CMT,

Please tell US more about the "Plan" and the "Goal".

John in Wilmette, Illinois said: Correction

LMT/CMT,

Please tell US more about the "Plan" and the "Goal".

Its simple, Massage Envy wants to offer massage at a price that they know most clinics and spas can not compete with. They offer the $39 massage and the way they can afford to offer that is to pay their employees less. Therapists make around $15-$17 hr. Front desk another $7-$8 and Managers get around $26,000 yr. for being there 6 days a week all day running everything. They could charge $49 hr for the massage and that would still be great for consumers and everyone else could get a raise, but they go low enough to drown the competition. Most places make you sighn a no-compete so you are not able to practice in the town you work. I have heard people talk about the cost of running a business (overhead) and making that the reason they cant pay enough. Thats BS. Otehr clinics and spas have alot more overhead and the therapists get more. Its their choice to pay what they do. They want to be on every corner in every town. The Franchise owners as part of training are coached on the fact that there will be ALOT of turnover for therapists and build it into the business plan. Turn em and burn em. Dont get me wrong, there are some good owners out there, I worked for one, but overall, Im not real thrilled about Envys affect on the industry I love.

LMT/CMT in Phoenix, Arizona said: Its simple, Massage Envy wants to offer massage at a price that they know most clinics and spas can not compete with. They offer the $39 massage and the way they can afford to offer that is to pay their employees less. Therapists make around $15-$17 hr. Front desk another $7-$8 and Managers get around $26,000 yr. for being there 6 days a week all day running everything. They could charge $49 hr for the massage and that would still be great for consumers and everyone else could get a raise, but they go low enough to drown the competition. Most places make you sighn a no-compete so you are not able to practice in the town you work. I have heard people talk about the cost of running a business (overhead) and making that the reason they cant pay enough. Thats BS. Otehr clinics and spas have alot more overhead and the therapists get more. Its their choice to pay what they do. They want to be on every corner in every town. The Franchise owners as part of training are coached on the fact that there will be ALOT of turnover for therapists and build it into the business plan. Turn em and burn em. Dont get me wrong, there are some good owners out there, I worked for one, but overall, Im not real thrilled about Envys affect on the industry I love.

I also wanted to add the fact that even though Envy employees are taking the hit so that envy can offer the $39 massage, Envy itself gets paid pretty much the same. They make money by sheer numbers at the therapists expense. $39 for a massage? remember, its only a 50 min. massage, get the FULL hr at some other places with a special (which alot of places offer) and you could pay the same without a contract. Cant make it for awhile? Sick? Emergency? Too bad, you pay anyway. Think about all of the people that joined Bally's and got stuck with a nightmare!

I have been looking at ME as a therapist, admin and as a possible future owner. The franchise business is a legal pyramid scheme and plenty of people have been burned. I think the $49/hr massage rate was unrealistic. The additioal massages for $39 is crazy. Both are subsidized by the MT. I worked for a massage manager (past hamburger mgr) and he treated therapists as "a dime a dozen". The owner learned the hard way. He also tried to manipulate students through non-competes and that caught up with them too. The ME owners I have met so far are hard-working individuals who have invested their hard-earned income into this new venture. However, I am amazed at the naivety ... buying into a franchise that advertises that "no experience is necessary"? They are told hundreds of MT graduate every year, though nothing about the 3-5 year career average (from Sheri Sohnen-Moe, 2005) because people realize they can't survive, plus the industry including AMTA, ABMP, every government entity now treating them as a cash cow. I was hoping to switch from my current career into massage as a full-time career mixing admin and massage to create a 40-hour week. ME hires personal trainers but I have yet to find a MT who has been hired in 40-hr full-time position. If ME wants to survive they need to develop three career tracks ... 1. cash only, no insurance for the group who have partners who are the main wage earners and insurance providers, 2. low industry wage, but health, injury and MT insurance for self-supporters 3. a ME-Investor option for those of us who have the experience, currently own our own small business and want to buy into the concept of national advertising and large-volume clout for purchasing insurance and supplies e,g, I commit to staying on board to eliminate the revolving door of MT and customers. I make a financial investment ($10,000 - 20,000) and earn a return on my investment. MT are not a commodity any more than anyone else in the health profession.

Kelly in Houston, Texas said: I am a customer at Massage Envy. It is funny, because I went to the one on River Oaks in Houston, Tx and they had horrible customer service, a fair massage theripist. I was about to cancel my membership when I went to another location on West Universtiy where I they have excellent customer service, wonderful managment and first class service. Guess what? Both places are owned by the same person!!

I am sorry for all the employees that are unhappy with their job, but remember you can always change jobs and get a new one You have the opportunity over your life just as I as a customer am able to leave.

I am thankful for massage envy West University location and the low price less than $39.00. I got in before the price increased and at that time the Houston River Oaks location was pretty good. If you don't like working for massaage envy you might want to get a new job.
Even if the onwer is the same it might be better at a new location.

Hi, Kelly. You do realize that the West U. Massage Envy is newer than the one in River Oaks, right? How long do you think it'll take for the West U. location to go downhill, too?

Hi Jes,

Thanks so much for the information on ME. I am newer to the area after a relocation from Illinois and have not opened a formal practice here as yet. I've been on sabbatical caring for my mother in law for two years till she passed at age 97 from cancer and related conditions. Shortly after her passing my husbands job relocated to MN and we chose Western WI as home base because of housing prices and what you can purchase here verses options in MN. I've taken this time to rest and restore myself after 24/7 care for her and resettling our youngest in this area. It was a gift to care for my mother-in-law, and I needed to recharge afterwards.

I'm now gettting ready to get back into my practice and I've been looking at what is available here in WI (which will require me to get a license if I practice in WI from what I can tell) which includes ME in Hudson, as well as what is available in MN. I am an Illinois licensed massage therapist and a graduate of Chicago School of Massage Therapy (now called Cortiva). I graduated in 91 and went on to add skill and experience with training in pregnancy and infant massage (I'm a former Bradley Method Teacher), myofascial release, Reiki Master Teacher, Therapeutic Touch, and other modalites such as HeartMath (R) and Life Coaching. I've worked as an independant contractor with chair massage at corporate events and had my own practice in an OB/GYN office. My earlier history includes being a CNA in a VA hospital back in the early 80's and hospice care. I'm looking for a good fit with a holistic based practice, women centered and empowered (would love to have that be here in WI or just over the river in MN) and or opening my own space and I've been questioning myself about ME as a stepping stone while I build here. I'm still weighing my options and have not contacted them as yet. I really have to look at working in that kind of a set-up and if it is right for me, even short term. Thanks again.

Dear Lighthouse,

It is really exciting to see how much you have accomplished as a therapist in your 16 years. So great to hear that you cared for your mother-in-law the way that you did also, blessings on you for that.

I want to encourage you to avoid ME. You went to a great school and you have way to much experience to work for these people. I have to believe that you would be disappointed on every level if you were to work there. You will be underpaid and propabaly underappreciated and overworked.

Please try to find something that will truly reward you for your experience and skill set. I'm sure that it won't be hard to find something lots better than ME has to offer you.

Dear Fed up,

Thanks for the warm support. Your very kind. Caring for my mother in law was a blessing and she taught me and our children a great deal about about how to be a joyful and wise elder. Your advice on ME is taken to heart and the reasons you cite are many of the reasons I am hesitating. I have no desire to overwork myself. I did that in the early years of my practice when I would do home visits with my table and go into Chicago from the burbs for clients, get a ticket because there was no where to park etc... I've worked the ropes and really do choose not to do that again so if that is what it turns out that ME is, and it truly does seem to be the case, which is sad when it could be so much more, then I will not give my time or energy to it. I do have a lot of experience as well as training, more than I mentioned and it is important to me to honor myself and what I have learned in the best possible setting and I would encourage all MT's to do the same. MT is a gift we give to our clients or patients (depending on who you work with) and it is a gift we give to ourselves as what we give out comes back to us. We do get to set the standard for the care we give, and how we ourselves are respected and cared for. Good luck to you in creating the perfect position for you. If you are a graduate of CSMT then you should have access to the job book (what we used to call it back in the day) and likewise be able to create and or attract what speaks to your heart. Thanks again for your kind words.

client in CA in Vineburg, California said: A Male Therapist : reading your post makes me laugh!
So you are saying that the doc who spend over 200k and 10 year on education had not taken the anatomy classes and does not know the terms for the entire body that you managed to learn in about 1800 hours and with 5k?

<snip>... if your MD brother does not know about the entire body and does not know medical terminology, please tell us all what his name is so was all can stay away from him, and possibly let the medical board of his state to suspend his practice!...

Realistic? The person you are diminishing made an accurate statement. Specialists specialize, they don't generalize and deliberately make next to no effort to know anything about other modalities. How else can one become a specialist? Consider also that for each hour of anatomy taken, another hour or several depending upon the individual's interest and passion, are spent letting that info sink in, linger, become practically comprehensible as an interactive and usable tool. It's not just medical terminology. There are movements, interactions, causes and reactions to consider that are often not required for an allopathic doctor to do work within their specialty.

Quite a lot of knowledge and common sense is necessary to learn how to quickly assess and plan a treatment, and adjust in the midst of treatment for changes or surprises.

Putting your hands on another person's body from head to toe is a complex undertaking. Manipulating energy and tissue is not to be taken lightly. It should also be considered that it's too often true that you get what you pay for. If you are healthy and just want a light massage, then a place like ME is probably fine. But if medical attention is a must, perhaps places with high turnover should not even be a consideration.

brian "the breather" in Houston, Texas said: Hi, Kelly. You do realize that the West U. Massage Envy is newer than the one in River Oaks, right? How long do you think it'll take for the West U. location to go downhill, too?

Hi Brian:

I really don't know. I hope that it stays high quality for years to come, but you might be correct. The West Univesity location really has great therapists. Galleria is good as well.

arizona in Scottsdale, Arizona said: Massage Envy - they hire students right out of school, so the quality is, of course, not that high. It doesn't matter if you have years of experience behind you, they still pay you poorly and expect only 10 min. downtime between clients. It is horrible. The tips are terrible and if you are good, the clients want to come to you at your home and not come to Massage envy. Can you spell massage therapist warehouse? It is awful. I worked for them for ahwile and could not take it anymore. It's all about the money for management and benefits, what a joke. COBRA is cheaper than their rates. All in all, what a scam. STAY AWAY

My favorite therapist at Massage Envy has 15 years experience. They are not all students. When he is not available I can choose from many of the staff of well qualified therapists with experience ranging from 5-10 years. You are mistaken.

Jareef in Dallas, Texas said: My favorite therapist at Massage Envy has 15 years experience. They are not all students. When he is not available I can choose from many of the staff of well qualified therapists with experience ranging from 5-10 years. You are mistaken.

Thats the point. You had one experience that is good and I know others that have had different experiences that are not good. I think its consistancy with this company. You are never sure what you are going to get. Its a franchise, shouldnt the quality be set at a certain standard for all locations? Its a numbers game for them, as long as the total amount of satisfied customers is higher than disatisfied, they are fine. At the end of the day, its about revenue. The therapists or location you speak of is not the norm. Most therapists at Envy have under 2 yrs experience. Consider yourself lucky.

This entire thread/blog surprises me, with such a shallow view of the industry as a whole. You get to do what you love, as much as you love it, you are not held hostage to do anything that you do not want to do, and your choices are still that... They are your choices. If you believe, from a two day or 4 class education, that you have the business skills necessary to "do your own thing", then by all means DO IT!!! However, if you are eager to get to work, work with other great people in the same field - who you get to learn a lot from, make your own choice about where you work. Not every company is the same, and I encourage you to find one that works with and for you. You are incorrect to say that it's a supercuts or wal-mart, because YOU set your schedule, YOU share what your body is able to do, YOU have a choice whether to stay or go, and YOU get to determine if you want to do what you love AND the administrative overhead of running your own business - including sales, marketing, advertising, billing, vendors, paying bills, and still find time for your CE's, or simply do what you love to do. Many people have found a living in it, and love it. So the question really is, why have YOU had such a hard time allowing it to work for you? Why doesn't it work with YOUR particular situation? Can those situations be YOUR choice?, or are you avoiding your own responsibility for poor work performance, attitude, or professional growth and blaming it on the first thing that allows you not to take that responsibility? Come'on!

Tina G in Atlanta, Georgia said: beware new graduates...stay away from all of these spas that pay less than $15.00/hour. There are spas out there that will pay you $30.00/hour plus tips. If you believe that you are great at what you do then refuse to be paid so little for your services. Work for a chiropractor, do corporate massage, work part time while you build your practice... anything but cheapen the art and skill of massage![/QUOTE

Kelly,

I've gotten a massage from 3 of the therapists at the West U. location, and only one of them was any good (Krista... she's excellent). If you don't mind my asking, which one do you go to?

Aaron in Redmond, Washington said: \. You are incorrect to say that it's a supercuts or wal-mart

Aaron,

YOU are incorrect! Massage Envy is a Wal-Mart. They sell product cheap at the expense of the employees and the vendors. They pay thier people minimum wage and the company gets fat. All the while hurting the competition and trying to corner the market. Sound familiar????? Massage Envy is just a 2 bit Wal-Mart, nothing more.

From a new customer at Massage Envy (ME), to those who despise Massage Envy...
Before investing your time and money in training, perhaps you should have considered the options you would have after graduation? ME is holding no one hostage or forcing anyone to work for them. Rather than complaining and criticizing, perhaps you should try organizing among yourselves (I am NOT for unions) and take the laborer’s legitimate and formulated complaints to the management. Try to keep in mind that the facilities and overhead for the company is considerable and they are paying every tax you pay and more.

This kind of employer backstabbing is not productive. Do something positive to improve your station.

Sally in Tucson, Arizona said: From a new customer at Massage Envy (ME), to those who despise Massage Envy...
Before investing your time and money in training, perhaps you should have considered the options you would have after graduation? ME is holding no one hostage or forcing anyone to work for them. Rather than complaining and criticizing, perhaps you should try organizing among yourselves (I am NOT for unions) and take the laborer’s legitimate and formulated complaints to the management. Try to keep in mind that the facilities and overhead for the company is considerable and they are paying every tax you pay and more.

This kind of employer backstabbing is not productive. Do something positive to improve your station.

The overhead for ME is not any more and less than any spa or massage clinic I have been at. (I have managed a ME) They offer no other service than massage. They do it that way to help keep overhead low so they can keep prices cheap. That is their choice. They offer a $39 massage and make up the money with contracts and poor pay for the people that make them money. The therapist is the one making that business work, and for their trouble they get $1 for every $59-$49 a month membership. Thats just crazy. So far as talking to management, there was not much that could be done, its a franchise remember, we cant change policy and payscales, corp. has our hands tied. I think therapist should try everything else before working at ME.

what you don't realize is that all docs first become general docs, then specialze. So no mather what the argument, you CANNOT say that a doctors does not know about general anatomy. As a LMT, you learn about the muscular system's anatomy. As a general doc, and before specializing, MDs learn all systems in the body, including muscular, nervous, and all the bones! So, if it makes you happier to put down those who have sacrified their lives to become MDs (and please, I am not an MD, so I am not saying this to make myself feel good) to make yourself feel better, by all means.

Some people do need to put everything and everyone down to feel like they are up high. Whether it's a good idea to do this or not, is totally up to you. But I personally think that the world would be a much better place if WE ALL learn to value one another, and respect each other, and expect to be rewarded in proportions to our efforts. But, hay, for all I know, I might be just WRONG....

client in CA in American Canyon, California said: what you don't realize is that all docs first become general docs, then specialze. So no mather what the argument, you CANNOT say that a doctors does not know about general anatomy. As a LMT, you learn about the muscular system's anatomy. As a general doc, and before specializing, MDs learn all systems in the body, including muscular, nervous, and all the bones! So, if it makes you happier to put down those who have sacrified their lives to become MDs (and please, I am not an MD, so I am not saying this to make myself feel good) to make yourself feel better, by all means.

Some people do need to put everything and everyone down to feel like they are up high. Whether it's a good idea to do this or not, is totally up to you. But I personally think that the world would be a much better place if WE ALL learn to value one another, and respect each other, and expect to be rewarded in proportions to our efforts. But, hay, for all I know, I might be just WRONG....

As therapist we have to learn all the systems too, muscular, skeletal, nervous, integumentary, digestive, reproductive, urinary, cardiovascular, lymph, so the docs are not the only ones that learn it. So before you go putting down LMTs saying we dont know as much as the doctors or didnt learn as much get your facts straight.

Jareef in Dallas, Texas said: My favorite therapist at Massage Envy has 15 years experience. They are not all students. When he is not available I can choose from many of the staff of well qualified therapists with experience ranging from 5-10 years. You are mistaken.

You are a Clinic Administrator for ME? I think everyone should know that piesce of information when reading your post. Anyway, your comment is noted.