Life Beyond The Massage Table: A Podcast for Health & Wellness Businesses

Financial planning can be a really tricky topic for anyone who is self-employed, including massage therapists. We want to have a good life, both now and in the future, but there are so many things to consider. There is a business to build, clients to see, and of course, a personal life to live! No one wants to be working all the time, even if there are times we need to. But just like we plan for things like graduation or a milestone birthday, we also need to plan for other big life changes like buying a house and retirement. So for this episode, I am sharing my perspective as a fellow business owner and former massage therapist. I know how tricky it can be when you're a solo business owner! This is the fourth and final episode in my short series on How to Stay a Massage Therapist for the Long Haul. Show notes are now available for all episodes at happylittlebiz.com/show-notes/

They say many massage therapists quit or burn out in 3-5 years. But that doesn't have to be you! If you want to stick around your massage therapy career for the long term, I've got some tips and tools you can use to help your body (and mind!) be in it for the long haul. This is the third episode in my short series on How to Stay a Massage Therapist for the Long Haul. Show notes are now available for all episodes at happylittlebiz.com/show-notes/

Massage therapists are passionate about their careers, but this can sometimes lead to working too much and not taking enough time for self-care. This can lead to burnout and feeling like we don't have a life outside of work. So in this episode, we are discussing: Using your Enough number (see last week's episode!) to set goals How growth for the sake of growth isn't worth your time (and will only lead to burnout) Setting boundaries as a business owner (to avoid, you guessed it, burnout) How you should think of yourself as more than just your job title The importance of working to live (having your career support your life, not run it!) This is the second episode in my short series on How to Stay a Massage Therapist for the Long Haul. Show notes are now available for all episodes at happylittlebiz.com/show-notes/

This next series of episodes is going to talk about realistic, achievable business strategies that, when all put together, allow you to keep working as a massage therapist for many years to come. Over this set of five episodes, we're going to talk about financial factors, business planning, setting boundaries within your business, tools, and technology you can use to make your life easier, and the importance of taking time for your own self-care. Today we are talking about setting business goals. We are discussing: What are business goals, exactly? The concept of SMART goals Figuring out what your Enough number is in terms of income The importance of setting realistic goals that fit both your career and life. This is the first episode in my short series on How to Stay a Massage Therapist for the Long Haul. Show notes are now available for all episodes at happylittlebiz.com/show-notes/

Being self-employed as a massage therapist is the norm, at least in North America. However, the vast majority of people would be much better off as employees, rather than working for themselves. Why do I say this? There are a few reasons, which I go over in today's episode. This is the third episode in my short series on Controversial Topics Within Health and Wellness. Show notes are now available for all episodes at happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

One of the things massage therapists on the whole are sensitive about are questions about the efficacy of their treatments. There are a lot of therapist websites out there that have this big list of conditions, diseases, and disorders that they say massage therapy can treat. So in today's episode, we're talking about the science behind massage therapy - or the lack of it. But we're also talking about why it doesn't necessarily matter, at least in terms of running your business! This is the second episode in my short series on Controversial Topics Within Health and Wellness. Show notes are now available for all episodes at happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

We are closing out the year talking about some controversial topics in the health and wellness industry. No matter where you fall within this overall ‘sphere', these are things you should be thinking about, in terms of how this has an effect on your business. This episode is discussing something that has been in the media a lot recently, and that is the link between the wellness community and conspiracies. There is a lot to think about, so I've provided some food for thought! This is the first episode in my short series on Controversial Topics Within Health and Wellness. Show notes are now available for all episodes at happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

A little update on what's going on with this podcast and what you can expect next! Spoiler alert: more episodes coming shortly! Find out more about this podcast at my website, https://happylittlebiz.com/podcast/. Shownotes for most episodes are available as well!

Today we're going over five tips to save time and money in your massage therapy business. Stuff that isn't the typical 'shop sales' or 'use coupon codes'... because we all know that! Ready to save some cash? This it the third of three episodes on Money Mindsets. Show notes are now available for all episodes at happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

Unpopular opinions warning! Sometimes we need to think non-linearly about our income. We need to get creative on ways we can use our professional skills and resources to earn. It helps us get off the roller coaster that booking ups and downs can have.  You see, it doesn’t have to be all hands-on hours or an hour of your time for a fee exchange. So in this episode, we talk about exactly that! If you want to increase your income without just booking more hands-on time, this episode is for you. This it the second of three episodes on Money Mindsets. Show notes are now available for all episodes at happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

Money is a tricky topic, but one all of us must think about as business owners and, well, humans! There are multiple mindsets we can fall into that hold us back from having our best chance at success - so that's what we're talking about in today's episode. This is the first in a three-part series on money mindsets. Show notes are now available for all episodes at https://happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

Social media detoxes have been a hot topic for years, but they seem particularly of interest right now. Can your business survive without social media? Can you take time away without losing out on clients? Listen in to this episode where we talk about this and the whole idea of 'detoxes' and whether social media is essential or not. Show notes for all episodes are now available: https://happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

You can always begin again. No matter what has happened over the last year in your health and wellness business - or in your life - you can still work towards goals and dreams. These goals may have changed, but that's ok! We’re talking about planning, dreaming, focusing on what’s truly important and trying hard to ignore the rest. Show notes for all episodes are now available: https://happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

2020 sure threw us all a curveball! Many of us have had to make major changes to our lives and businesses in order to make it all work. So, that’s what this episode is all about! I talk about two key takeaways from this year, as well as discussing the importance of seeing the full picture and not just focusing on the positive stuff. I also talk about how 2020 has really changed my own life, so if you're curious about all that, tune in! Show notes for all episodes are now available: happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

When building an online business, there are certainly some dos and don'ts! Here are my five big tips for any online business, whether you're providing online classes, booking Zoom consultations, or selling products. This is the fourth and final episode in my series on Taking your Health or Wellness Business online. Show notes for all episodes are now available: happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

In order to have an online business, you need to have people willing to pay you for whatever service or product you have to offer. That’s why it’s so important to cultivate an audience of the right people! When building an in-person health or wellness (such as massage therapy) business, you might have called this your client base. Well, this is the same concept, only digital! These are real people behind the screen, and you need to connect with them in a way that builds trust and confidence in you and whatever it is you are selling. So, how do you do that? Is social media a good way? That's what we're talking about in this, the third episode in my series on Taking your Health or Wellness Business online. Show notes for all episodes are now available: happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

One of the most confusing parts of building an online business is figuring out exactly what your product or service could be. Should you stick to something health or wellness related? Should you try something totally different? Are products better than services? How do you figure it out? Well, there is no one perfect formula for finding a business idea. A lot of it depends on you! But that said, there are absolutely ways you can sort through your ideas to pinpoint which one will be the best fit. And that's what we're talking about this week! This episode is the second in my series on Taking Your Business Online, for health and wellness providers. Show notes for all episodes are now available: happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

Have you been thinking about creating an online business, or moving some of your services online? Wondering if an online business is a good fit for you? In this episode, we talk about some of the pros and cons of online business. I also talk about some of the stereotypes when it comes to this stuff since it's important to set realistic expectations! If you want to go on an online business adventure, join me and listen in! This episode is the first in my series on Taking Your Business Online, for health and wellness providers. Show notes for all episodes are now available: happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

Finishing up your website and wondering how to launch it? Wondering about SEO? I got you! In this episode, we take a dive into finishing up your website and getting it seen by clients, so you can start getting bookings. This episode is the fourth and final in my series on Building your Best Dang Website. Show notes for all episodes are now available: happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

Doing a DIY website and need some tips on how to make the most of your design? I got you! In this episode, we talk about what to look for and what to avoid in DIY website templates. It's not as simple as picking the first one that looks pretty! This episode is the third in my series on Building your Best Dang Website. Show notes for all episodes are now available: happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

When building your own website, the content is often the thing that trips people up the most. So I've dedicated this entire episode to just that! Here are my biggest tips for creating website content. Avoid making these mistakes and you'll be well on your way to booking clients! This episode is the second in my series on Building your Best Dang Website. Show notes for all episodes are now available: https://happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

Want to build your own website for a health or wellness business (like massage therapy?) You can absolutely do it, and I'm sharing all my tips as a professional designer! When you're getting started, there is one major thing you need to do that will make your website that much more awesome, and attract way more clients to book in. Listen in to find out more and get that DIY website rocking. Show notes are now available: https://happylittlebiz.com/category/show-notes/

When it comes to growing your private practice as a health or wellness practitioner, there is a lot of advice out there. How do you grow in a way that makes you more money without having to work a bunch more hours? Do you hire more people? Should you even grow at all? So in this episode, the final in our series on Building a Strong Private Practice, we’re looking at exactly this issue. Show notes are now available at https://happylittlebiz.com

When you're running a business, there is always the question of whether or not you should DIY something or hire someone else to do it for you. There is a lot to consider, and not just the budget and cost! There are huge benefits to hiring others to help out, and that's what we're talking about today: finding that balance for your own private practice to make the most of it. All shownotes for episodes available at https://happylittlebiz.com

In this week's episode, we're answering the all-important question: How do you get clients to rebook? Spoiler: it's all about building great relationships! I provide you with tips on what you can do to build those relationships and create an environment where people will want to rebook, and also refer friends and family to you. As always, show notes are available at https://happylittlebiz.com

Got a new private practice, or trying to find new ways to promote your existing one? Need to find new clients? This episode is for you! In this third episode in my series on Building a Strong Private Practice, I take a dive into the whole idea of selling your services to people. It doesn't have to be as hard as some people make it out to be! Remember: show notes are now available at https://happylittlebiz.com

In this second episode on 'Building a Strong Private Practice', I go over five things that are essential for opening your own space. Whether you're a massage therapist, nutritionist, do yoga privates or are an acupuncturist, these are things I really think you need for your office. As always, head to https://happylittlebiz.com for show notes and additional resources!

When you work for yourself, there are a lot of things to think about. Location. Equipment purchases. Website. Where to find great clients. And those are all important, but there is a bigger thing you need to tackle if you want to really strengthen your business. What's that thing? Your Mindset. So in this first episode in my series on 'building a strong private practice', we're talking about just that! Show notes as always are found on happylittlebiz.com

Let’s talk more about pivoting your business! That is, going from whatever in-person service you might have been providing: massage therapy, physiotherapy, yoga sessions … and switching it up to a new business idea and model. I know a good chunk of you are now in this position. You know the world has changed a great deal, and you aren’t so sure you can go back to your previous career (or even if you want to). You want to look into something new. So let's talk about that! As always, show notes are available at happylittlebiz.com

Times are challenging right now. We have a global pandemic on our hands, and many of you have had to close your businesses temporarily. So for this week's episode, I'm talking about a variety of ways you can earn some income and keep things going for your massage clinic or other health/wellness business. Some are directly related to your 'regular career', others are just temporary work you can do. I hope this helps you in these tricky, unforeseen times. We're all in this together. BTW: Don't forget to check the show notes for all the various links!

Tax season. Every small business owner's favourite time, right? All jokes aside, it can be a stressful time of year for us all, but we can make it a bit easier on ourselves. In this episode, I talk about four things you can look at to make the process go a little smoother. Head to https://happylittlebiz.com/ for show notes!

In this episode, I talked about planning your year to make it an amazing one. How? With setting very intentional goals. That might feel like a topic better suited to January 1st, but hey, you can do these types of exercises at any time. First, we discuss the idea of choosing a Framing Word or Word of the Year. This is something we’ve talked about in the past, but I discussed it with some new ideas. I also talked about Danielle LaPorte’s Desire Map process, which relates to setting framing words. Second, we chatted about the idea of manifestation. There is a lot to be said for this idea, and how it has a different purpose, and outcome, then your normal goal-setting stuff. Of course, we brought all that back to building a business (and life!) as a massage therapist or other health and wellness practitioner.

It's the beginning of a new decade and there's a lot of talk about business trends. But which ones are important for healthcare, wellness and fitness businesses? Today I take a dive into five important trends for you to know if you want to grow and develop your business.

Today we're taking a look back at 2019 to see what trends were big. Did my predictions from last year come true? We're also examining some big trends for 2020 and talking about ways we can implement some important changes to our lives and businesses in order to help ourselves and the planet. If health trends and healthy living interest you, this episode is for you!

Can Pinterest really help you get more bookings as a solo practitioner in health and wellness (such as massage therapy)? Yes! It's not just for recipes and hair ideas anymore. This week we do a breakdown of how you can use this really interesting platform to your advantage. How do you set up your account? What boards should you have? How do you find enough stuff TO post? Are ads worth it? And lots more! This is a big one for SEO, everyone! Also, show notes for these episodes are now available at happylittlebiz.com/blog.

Have you considered starting a YouTube channel or using video as a way to reach people and get more bookings as a solo health or wellness practitioner? It's something more and more people are doing! In this, the third episode in our social media series, we talk about things to consider before you jump in with both feet. Is YouTube really social media? Can anyone really produce videos? How do you set up a channel? How do you get the word out there about your videos? Should you put ads on yours... and can anyone really do that? Can you make an income from YouTube? Tune in to get some tips, tricks and advice! And show notes for these episodes are now available at happylittlebiz.com/blog.

Using Instagram as a solo practitioner in health and wellness - such as massage therapy or other professions - can be a little daunting! This week we do a breakdown of the many things you need to consider. How do you set up your account? How often should you post? Are ads worth it? Should you use Instagram at all? Tune in to get some tips, tricks and advice on this very popular social media platform. And show notes for these episodes are now available at happylittlebiz.com/blog!

In this week's episode we take a deep dive into posting on Facebook for your business. How do you set up a page? What kinds of posts should you make? How often do you post? Can you just use your personal account for everything? What if you don't WANT to use Facebook? So many things to consider. Let's get started! And show notes for these episodes are now available at happylittlebiz.com/blog!

Is social media tricky to figure out for your business? Wondering how you can make the most of it to attract new clients? In this mini-episode, I talk about where the next few episodes are headed, which social media platforms are good for health and wellness practitioners, and give ya access to a brand new QUIZ to help you out!

Do you ever find yourself pressed for time when trying to keep your social media updated? Need a way to keep things more organized? Want to start using more than one platform at a time? I got you! In this week's Candice Tries episode, I talk about social media management software and how it can help you run your business, even when your workday is extremely busy.

Have you been thinking about adding online booking to your health or wellness business? Already have online booking available but don't like the software you're using? In today's second episode on the 'Candice tries' series, I'm testing out and reporting on some online booking options.

If you've ever wanted to build your own website but were overwhelmed by all the different options, I've got you! In today's episode, we go over some of the options and I give you my rundown as a professional designer for which are your best bets! This episode is the first in a series called 'Candice Tries' where I review things that will help you in your practice: online booking software, website building platforms, and more! Stay tuned for more episodes.

There are issues with social media marketing that a lot of people don’t talk much about. I think we want to believe it can solve all of our marketing problems. And while it is a useful tool for promoting our clinics and studios and practices, it also has some serious drawbacks. So today we're talking about those!

Are you an introvert? Or, do you think you might be one but aren't sure? Work in health, wellness or fitness? I got you! This week we're talking about another marketing truth, and that is how to do marketing when you don't like being in the spotlight.

In episode two about marketing truths, we're talking about something really important that I think many of us tend to forget: getting seen online isn't about beating an algorithm or getting the top SEO spot on Google. It's about connecting. Listen in to this episode for more on that.

There are a lot of misconceptions about marketing out there, and some of those tend to hold us back when we're trying to promote our businesses. Sometimes we even avoid it because of what we think marketing is all about! So let's drop some truths about marketing this week, shall we? For the next few episodes, we're talking about how to do marketing as a small business person without a big budget and without feeling like it's dishonest. Stay tuned!

Have you ever felt like success was out of your reach? Like the career you've chosen isn't working out for you? That no matter how hard you work you can't seem to keep your books full and income coming in? Trust me, we've all been there! So in today's episode, we're talking about tackling feelings of impostor syndrome or feeling like 'a fraud' in your business.

On this week's episode, we're talking about business growth. Can growth ever be back for your business? Wait, isn't growth what we're supposed to try to do? Listen in to find out my thoughts on this somewhat controversial topic.

Today we're talking about the importance of listening to your intuition when it comes to making decisions about your business. Often we're so bombarded by information - from family and friends, from social media, from the news, and from others that we forget about the most important thing: what we truly want in life. So today's episode is dedicated to that! Also: Anyone else remember the song from Roxette?

Today's episode begins a new chapter with this podcast! We're changing up things a little and redefining our philosophy for y'all. We also talk about what's coming next, so have a listen and let me know what you think!

If you're going to work in health, wellness or fitness, there are a lot of things to consider. One of the big ones is whether you'll enter a regulated or non-regulated profession. There are good and less good points for both sides! Here's some food for thought to help you decide.