11/03/2026
I’ve been a self employed Massage Therapist for 16 years.
Here’s some advice I’d give myself if I was just starting out:
Self-care is so important.
How can you expect to be fit enough to give everybody else massages if you don’t look after yourself? Exercise, eat well and get regular bodywork yourself.
Make sure you set boundaries and stick to them. Set up your cancellation policies, stick to your days off and put your phone on do not disturb at regular times.
Know worth and set your prices accordingly. I was seriously undercharging for years (and still am in all honesty!) It’s very hard to keep putting your prices up, so make sure you don’t set them too low in the first place!
Make sure you set money aside for tax and other expenses! When you’re self-employed there’s no sick pay or holiday pay, so you must have savings and/or an insurance policy to cover you in these events.
Enjoy the flexibility of being self-employed. Travel, work abroad, volunteer. This is your opportunity to do whatever you want to do. Don’t miss out!
Give yourself permission to change. Change your location, change your opening hours, change the treatments that you offer. Find what works for you, even if that means changing. And if things don’t work out, you can always change back!
Don’t try to be everything to everyone. You’re not for some people and that’s ok. The right people will find you.
