In 2018, I made the decision to look at a different career path. Having worked all my life for other people/companies, working silly hours a week, some jobs with no job satisfaction or no career progression! Watching colleagues burn out as they were so busy with pressures from the job and expectations becoming more and more, this included me. One day I woke up and said enough, I need my life back. It was time to go solo…
I am a very laid back easy going person, I love having massages myself and have often thought about learning the skills. I have also travelled the world and sampled many different cultures and their massage techniques and styles. I researched massage, holistic therapy, and various other options. I decided to complete an International Massage diploma, which I gained giving me a complete insight into the world of massage. I haven’t looked back since.
I continued training while working full time. This gave me the opportunity to hone my skills on friends and family, who were all very willing. It is amazing how many people appear out of the woodwork for a free massage!
After a year of training, assignments and exams I qualified as a massage therapist gaining an ITEC Qualification in Swedish massage, anatomy and physiology.
Skills and Learning offer some great courses. With the support and guidance from one of their tutors, Dani Speight, I qualified as a massage therapist in 2019. Since then I have achieved my goal of becoming my own boss and running my own massage therapy business, Ferndown Massage, which has grown considerably. I have continued to improve on my skill set and trained further. Ferndown Massage now offers various massage treatments, including Swedish, pregnancy, deep tissue, Indian head, Hawaiian hands free, and holistic facials. Ferndown Massage offers bespoke pamper parties and my gift vouchers are extremely popular! I get to work from home and also offer a mobile service. Having built on these foundations and continuing to strive to achieve more goals, I now have a large client base, including corporate clients. Collaborative work takes place with local businesses and professionals such as chiropractors and physiotherapists to ensure that our clients receive the best possible treatments, care and outcomes for each individual.
Massage is only one side of the business. I have a teaching, office manager and administration background, so setting up all of the paperwork that goes with it is another task that needs to be completed effectively and efficiently. I have a website, social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, an online database, including all forms and correspondence, business bank account, registered as self-employed with HMRC, and tax returns. The list goes on!
However, the job satisfaction I receive now is great. I enjoy my work, helping others with their own well-being, amazing feedback from clients with 5 star reviews on Google to match. This makes all the training and hard work worthwhile.
