Laura Allen's interview
from the April/May 2006
issue of Massage Magazine
The following interview with Laura Allen appeared in the April/May 2006 issue of
Massage Magazine, in their column "Best Practices".
Laura Allen, 46, is the owner of THERA-SSAGE, in Rutherfordton, North Carolina,
where she also lives with her husband, Champ Allen, and their chow, Smokey Bear.
She began her energy work practice in 1993, and then began practicing massage in
1998. Her work is based on energy techniques, aromatherapy and spa treatments,
which she also teaches as an approved provider with the National Certification Board
of Therapeutic Massage. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins published her book, Plain &
Simple Guide to Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork Certification, earlier this year.
She started THERA-SSAGE in 2003 with two other therapists. Today she is the sole
proprietor, and has a dozen contractors who work for her.
MM: Why did you start your own practice?
LA: I had been the administrator and an instructor at a massage school for several
years and was ready for a change when I was asked by two other therapists to
start the business.
MM: What was your training?
LA: I graduated from The Whole You School of Massage & Bodywork in
Rutherfordton, North Carolina, and have attended a wide variety of continuing
education classes, everything from the Alexander Technique to Chinese cupping
therapy. I also have a degree in psychology, which is helpful in this business,
since I believe pain in the body always has an emotional component.
MM: How many employees do you have?
LA: A dozen independent contractors including massage therapists, a sound
therapist, energy workers, an acupuncturist, an RN who is certified in natural health,
and an aesthetician.
MM: How do you define business success?
LA: Having fun at work every single day! I also felt like I had "made it" the day
my book was published.
MM: What are the top three things you credit for your business success?
LA: 1) Giving as much back to the community as possible. 2) Staffing my business
with talented people who share my desire to have fun while making money, and
treating them well. 3) Developing multiple sources of income, all related to massage:
practicing, teaching, writing, and retailing massage products.
MM: What are your business goals?
LA: To teach all over the world and to write more books.
MM: What is the most common mistake new therapists make when starting out?
LA: Sitting there waiting for business to come to them.
MM: How long did it take you to get to where you are today?
LA: When the partners left, I was here alone with one other therapist. Now,
just two years later, we have a dozen staff members, and we are taking over
the office next door to ours in order to expand.
MM: What advice would you give someone wanting to start his or her own business
that you wish someone had given you?
LA: To realize that you are responsible for your own success. We all know massage
is a great product. To quote Estee Lauder, the cosmetics company founder, "If your
product isn't selling, it's not the product that's the problem; it's you."
MM: How many hours do you work per week?
LA: Between 70 and 80. I'm a happy workaholic. I have to qualify that by saying
that I usually only personally perform a few massages a week. The rest of the time
I'm taking care of business, teaching and writing.
MM: What inspires you?
LA: Seeing people walk in the door in pain or stressed out, and an hour later, seeing
them walk out the door smiling and feeling better.
MM: Where do you turn for support?
LA: My husband Champ is my partner and my biggest supporter. He tells everyone
he meets about the benefits of massage!
