Do It With Intention | Business & Marketing for Massage and Bodywork Therapists

Like so many of my students, today's guest was ready to all in on her own practice when she joined The Bodywork Project, but she wanted to do it on her own terms.

Today's Student Success Story is an avid listener of the Do It With Intention podcast and Bodywork Project student who used her skills and talents to create a practice that aligns with her values.

On today's episode, we'll hear from Jessica McGrew on how her experiences within The Bodywork Project, and hard work stepping out on her own, turned her 1-2 clients a week to 16 clients a week, all while staying true to her values and her intention.

This Week on the Do It With Intention Podcast:

• What Jessica does to set boundaries in her business.

• How Jessica went from 55% take-home pay to 92% by focusing on her business.

Resources from this episode:

• Grab your free practice-building resources here!

• Check out my website

• The Bodywork Project

• YouTube massage business videos

Recently inside The Bodywork Project, I've seen some patterns emerge around the mindset of my students around their practices.

For me, usually talking about 'mindset' can make me cringe since it shifts so much blame onto ourselves, even though sometimes life just happens.

As a bodyworker, it is your job to show up each day for your practice in every way that you can, then let the rest just happen.

On today's episode, we'll talk about some subtle mindset shifts that will help you in your bodywork business so that you can handle whatever the world throws at you.

This week on the Do It With Intention Podcast:

• 3 mindset shifts you can do today to move your practice forward.

• How shift away from a scarcity mentality so that you can support other therapists, not see them as your competition.

Resources from this episode:

• Grab your free practice-building resources here!

• Check out my website

• The Bodywork Project

• YouTube massage business videos

So many people in the business community are talking about ways to beat inflation and 'recession-proof your business,' but is that even possible?

On today's episode of the Do It With Intention Podcast, I share with you what I've done in my own bodywork business over the past 19 years that has helped me through hard times.

There may be no quick-fix you can do for your business during a tough economic time, but there are many things you can have in place to help your business survive and thrive, throughout the highs and lows.

This week on the Do It With Intention Podcast:

• 3 essential steps to keeping your business afloat during any situation.  

• Why doing excellent bodywork isn't enough to keep your business doors open.

• What I've found to be the most important way to get your business through tough times.

Resources from this episode:

• Grab your free practice-building resources here!

• Check out my website

• The Bodywork Project

• YouTube massage business videos

As I've been exploring different bodywork practices on my cross-continent road trip, I've been noticing how people do bodywork and, just as importantly, how they run their businesses. Sharing your pricing on your website is such a key part of creating a safe container to be a Pro and CEO of your business.

On today's episode of the Do It With Intention Podcast I explain why sharing your pricing is so important, even if it isn't always the advice given by all business coaches.

This week on the Do It With Intention Podcast:

• How putting prices on your website will help to weed out some of those not-so-ideal clients.

• What to do instead of convincing when potential clients contact you about your services.

Resources from this episode:

• Grab your free practice-building resources here!

• Check out my website

• The Bodywork Project

• YouTube massage business videos

As part of fulfilling my word for 2022, adventure, I've been undertaking a long road trip across the US to Baja California with my husband and my dog. Along the way, I've been trying to get as much bodywork as possible – it's been so fun to see therapists and their businesses across various states!

It takes 5 intentional steps to be a Pro and CEO of your business, but I've been noticing one imperative aspect in my travels – the importance of creating a safe container for your clients.

On today's episode of the Do It With Intention Podcast I share examples I've seen on how to create a safe container for your clients as the foundation of creating your boutique bodywork business.

This week on the Do It With Intention Podcast:

• 4 examples I've seen of bodywork therapists not setting up a safe container for their business.

• What to do so that people don't have to make too many decisions before they make the decision to work with you.

• How to honor the client so you are doing what they ask, not what you think they need.

Resources from this episode:

• Grab your free practice-building resources here!

• Check out my website

• The Bodywork Project

• YouTube massage business videos

What happens if a client asks you to do something that could get you in trouble if not handled correctly?

This final episode in the sticky situations series of the Do It With Intention Podcast is a very sticky situation that my student in The Bodywork Project experienced that made her extremely uncomfortable.

As a bodywork therapist you may always want to be helping your clients, but wanting to help and crossing the line are two very different things. Always stand your ground and make the decisions for your practice with intention.

This week on the Do It With Intention Podcast:

• What my student was asked to do by her client that was crossing the line.

• What to say when you've been put in an uncomfortable situation by a client.

• How to end a client session when you need to remove yourself from a sticky situation.

Resources from this episode:

• Grab your free practice-building resources here!

• Check out my website

• The Bodywork Project

• YouTube massage business videos

Each bodywork therapist has a unique way of practicing their modalities, but often when a client switches therapists there can be some confusion.

On today's episode of the Do It With Intention Podcast, we'll address this sticky situation when clients compare you to their previous bodywork therapists.

Remember, there are so many kind-hearted therapists out there delivering life-changing bodywork to their clients – your work is unique and worthy of your practice.

This week on the Do It With Intention Podcast:

• What not to do when a client says your bodywork is different than their previous therapist.

• How setting the stage before you even begin the bodywork will help to guide your client's expectations.

• What to say to diffuse the situation so you're not competing against a client's former therapist.

Resources from this episode:

• Grab your free practice-building resources here!

• Check out my website

• The Bodywork Project

• YouTube massage business videos

On the past few episodes of the Do It With Intention Podcast, we've been answering listener questions around about the many sticky situations you might experience in your work. Today, we'll discuss how to react when a client talks smack about another bodyworker.

There is such a need for big-hearted bodywork therapists like you in the world and nothing to gain in speaking negatively about other practitioners – remember, there's plenty of work to go around!

We each have so much to offer in our unique modalities, practices and experiences — let's lift each other up!

This week on the Do It With Intention Podcast:

• How to respond to a client who is speaking negatively of another bodywork practitioner.

• Ways to be clear and kind to your clients when mentioning other therapists.

Resources from this episode:

• Grab your free practice-building resources here!

• Check out my website

• The Bodywork Project

• YouTube massage business videos

What do you do when your client uses inappropriate language, including racial slurs? This language can be so alarming you may not know where to begin.

This type of sticky situation has been the number one topic request I've been hearing from the Do It With Intention Podcast listeners, so on today's episode I'll share with you some of my experiences I've had with clients speaking inappropriately and how to respond – channeling your Inner 6th Grade Teacher.

Remember to always stand in your power, and continue doing the great work you offer to your clients.

This week on the Do It With Intention Podcast:

• How channeling the directness of a 6th grade teacher can help you respond calmly to inappropriate clients.

• Some of my own experiences reacting and responding to clients and how I was able to move forward within the sessions.

Resources from this episode:

• Grab your free practice-building resources here!

• Check out my website

• The Bodywork Project

• YouTube massage business videos

Bodywork therapists have an almost innate understanding of the subtle differences between various modalities, but it can be incredibly frustrating trying to explain your work to a potential client.

On today's episode of the Do It With Intention Podcast, we discuss the sticky situation of having to explain your unique modality to people who don't quite grasp all of the intricacies.

Having these basic, yet important, conversations with your clients and potential clients can be a wonderful learning opportunity for both of you.

This week on the Do It With Intention Podcast:

• What not to do when a client misunderstands your modality.

• How to explain your modality in a way that positions your practice and you as unique.

• The best way to learn from your clients about other forms of bodywork.

Resources from this episode:

• Grab your free practice-building resources here!

• Check out my website

• The Bodywork Project

• YouTube massage business videos