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May 5, 2007

Sink Hole De Mayo!!!

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Or… when life gives you lemons…

A couple of days ago in a busy neighborhood in Seattle a water main broke, causing a LARGE sink hole that completely swallowed two cars that had been unfortunately parked at that particular spot.

The construction crews came and blocked off the area making access to a local restaurant just about impossible. The restaurant had been planning a Cinco De Mayo party this weekend, but instead it was deserted.

Most would have just given up, but not this restaurant. Taking full advantage of all the media attention, they posted a large sign that said SINK HOLE DE MAYO!!!!! Now that's a sense of humor!

The restaurant still may not have had any customers for a few days, but they were featured on just about every local news station, which can't be bad for future business. What a great way to get free publicity!

So, when life gives you lemons, what do you do?

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 2:08 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

March 16, 2007

Upcoming Teleseminar on Getting Out of Overwhelm

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Do you ever feel a bit overwhelmed at all that you have to do to run a successful massage practice or business?

Have you ever wondered how to keep your passion and enthusiasm alive as you build your business?

Then sign up now for the free upcoming teleclass, 5 Steps to Get Out of Overwhelm and Keep the Purpose, Passion, Playfulness and Profit in Your Massage Business!

When: March 22nd (Thursday) at 1pm PSD, 4pm EDT.
Where: The comfort of your home or office
Cost: Free. Your only cost is the long distance phone call

If you'll give me 60 minutes, I'll Share With You 5 Steps to Get Out of Overwhelm and Keep the Fire In Your Belly Until You Have The Massage Business of Your Dreams.

Click here to get more info or to register.

It's going to be a great, content-rich teleseminar.
I hope you can join us.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 10:09 AM | | TrackBacks (0)

February 24, 2007

Why Are So Many Talented Massage Therapists Struggling?

What first got me interested in creating The Massage Business Center and then this blog was that I noticed that when massage therapists came to me for coaching help with their businesses, the ones having the hardest time were often the MOST skilled at massage.

And yet therapists less than a year out of school were coming to me for advice on expanding their business and bringing in other therapists to deal with their overflow of clients! What was happening here? How could so many talented therapists be struggling financially while “newbies” had more clients than they could handle?

According to Wallace D. Wattles in The Science of Getting Rich, to create wealth it’s not so much what we do, but that we do things in a certain way…. “And furthermore, the ability to do things in this certain way is not due solely to the possession of talent, because many people who have great talent remain poor, while others who have very little talent get rich”.

Isn’t that crazy, but so true?

And another thing I noticed in my own business is that one week I’d do some promotional activities in the hope of getting new clients and nothing would happen. The next week I’d do the exact same things and have my phone ringing off the hook. Has that ever happened to you?

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 8:13 AM |

February 18, 2007

The Secret on Oprah

After talking about the movie, The Secret and the classic book The Science of Getting Rich (which was the inspiration for the movie) on my blog for so long, it was fun to see the reaction that the movie got on Oprah this past week. Did you see the show?

So many people were inspired to make huge transformations in the the way they think (and hence the results in their lives) because of this movie.

I know that it is easy to feel disempowered in our lives and wonder why bother when there is so much suffering. And yet one women and her dream of sharing what she called The Secret (which is simply the Law of Attraction) has made such a huge difference in a great many people's lives.

It reminded me to NEVER doubt the impact that one single person can have in this world.

If you had a message to share with the world, what would it be?

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 2:26 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

January 22, 2007

Putting All This Prosperity Stuff To The Test...

So, I've been re-reading one of my favorite classics, The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles, which is really the science of manifesting anything you want in your life, when….

Well, let's just say I was thrown off course by the unexpected. You see my husband had a number of surgeries recently and just prior having them I called my health insurance company to verify our coverage.

Being self-employed, we pay over $800 a month for a high-deductible "catastrophe" policy, hoping that we'd never have to use it, but knowing that it was (at least on paper) an excellent policy if we ever did need it. In almost 10 years we've never put it to the test as we keep ourselves pretty healthy.

So after being told that we had 100% coverage after we met our deductible, I went white when I opened the mail on Saturday to find bill after bill has been denied, and for no reason that makes any sense. It adds up to a LOT of money.

So, how do I stay positive and feel abundant when facing a mountain of unexpected medical bills? Of course I'm going to appeal it, but who needs to deal with that!

I noticed that my mind keeps wandering to the "lack" side of the fence and I have to go get it and haul it back to the reality that it is an abundant universe.

So it was somewhat comforting to read in The Science of Getting Rich this morning that…

Every person has the natural and inherent power to think what he wants to think, but it requires far more effort to do so than it does to think the thoughts which are suggested by appearances. To think according to appearances is easy. To think truth regardless of appearances is laborious and requires the expenditure of more power than any other work a person has to perform.

So now I don't feel quite so bad. It's not just me that has trouble with this. Wattles goes on to explain that sustained and consecutive thought is the hardest work in the world. Especially when the truth it is contrary to appearances. That's because every "appearance" creates a corresponding form in our mind. The bills certainly made an impression on my mind!!!

Yet, to create true abundance and wealth, I have to return time after time to the truth that it is an abundant universe, and that I can be, do and have what I want?

Boy, I've got my work cut out for me today…

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 9:40 AM | | TrackBacks (0)

January 11, 2007

If money was no object....

This morning I was reading in The Science of Getting Rich, (see previous post) that Wallace D. Wattles doesn't believe that we should be content with anything less than a life of abundance, including lots on money. He is not into poverty at all! In fact he says it goes against the universal laws of life.

"Whatever may be said in praise of poverty, the fact remains that it is not possible to live a really complete or successful life unless one is rich. No person can rise to his greatest possible height in talent or soul development unless he has plenty of money."

Imagine having so much money because of your successful massage business that you never have to say "no" to something because of lack… Imagine being able to do what you want, when you want, with whom you want and as often as you want…

And when he said "rich" he was not speaking figuratively. He clarified by saying...

"To be really rich does not mean to be satisfied or content with little. No person ought to be satisfied with a little if he is capable of using and enjoying more. The purpose of nature is the advancement and development of life. Every individual should have all that can contribute to the power, elegance, beauty, and richness of life."

So, Wallace D. Wattles believed that riches are an essential part of life. And let's face it; with money we are able to expose ourselves to so much more. We are able to learn from great teachers, and have the experience of travel. With money, we don't have to limit ourselves or the experiences from which we can learn and grow or give back to humanity.

Because I had the money, I was able to travel to study personally with one of my mentors, Bob Proctor who introduced me to The Science of Getting Rich two years ago. And that has impacted my life tremendously. Bob has now become so popular because of the success of the movie The Secret that had I not taken that chance to be mentored by him, it may not have presented itself again.

If money was no object, who would you like to meet and study with? Which conferences would you like to attend? Where would you like to travel to? How would your life be different from how it is now?

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 10:15 AM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

January 10, 2007

Should Massage Therapists Be Rich?

The popularity of the movie The Secret has brought a renewed interest in the classic, The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles. I've written about that book before and will continue to do so because I think it has a very powerful message for massage therapists.

Wattles says, right in the first chapter of the book, that it is our BIRTHRIGHT to live full, abundant lives. The universe is an abundant universe, and wants us to have it all. He goes on to explain that being rich in all areas of life, including financially is our Divine Right.

He says that many people believe it is all right to be content with poverty? Do you? A lot of massage therapists seem to think it is. I too used to have a difficult time charging what I was really worth. I felt that because I was helping folks I should give my services away (or almost).

I felt guilty even thinking about or imagining getting wealthy from serving others in need. And let's face it; doesn't everyone need healing touch these days? So how was I ever going to have that lifestyle I dreamed about? And my husband Francis was (still is) also a massage therapist! So did that mean we were doomed to a life of "just getting by"?

No it did not! But it did mean I had to make some changes in my business and in my life….. and most especially in my thinking.

And I'm going to share with you in upcoming posts some of the things that helped me along the way. Maybe they'll help you too, or other massage therapists you know who may be struggling with making money and creating abundance in their lives. My passion is to help bring more prosperity to the massage profession as a whole. Will you join me?

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 11:23 AM | | TrackBacks (0)

December 13, 2006

Another Truth About December

Want to know another truth about December"? Did you know that some of the BEST connections are made at this time of the year?

How so?

Well during the holidays you will find that many professionals, for example chiropractors and MDs are in their offices taking advantage of the holiday lull to catch up on things. And very often they will answer their own phone.

So if there is someone in your area that could potentially be a great business contact or referral partner, but who you've had a hard time reaching, give them a try over the holidays. Less folks will be vying for their attention and you might just make a connection that could propel you into having a great 2007.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 6:20 AM | | TrackBacks (0)

December 11, 2006

The Truth About December

Did you know that most massage therapists (in fact most professionals) slack off building their business during the holiday season? They recon it is a bad time to focus on business growth and decide to kick back and wait until after the holidays are over to do any marketing.

But I was recently on a phone call with Michael Port (who wrote the fabulous book, Book Yourself Solid) and he pointed out the truth about December… people are in a buying mode.

And they are looking for things to buy. So don't be shy about letting your clients, colleagues, friends and family know about your massage products and gift certificates. And if you don't have any massage gift certificates handy, download some for free here.

So don't give up on December. It's not too late to make it your best month yet of 2006!

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 8:02 AM | | TrackBacks (0)

October 4, 2006

Do Massage Therapists Work as Slaves?

Today's Success Snippet comes from Dr Michael Kruse, who has been nominated twice as Chiropracter of the Year in Washington State, and has referred thousands of his patients to massage therapy.

Listen to find out why he thinks we work as slaves!

This was recorded live at a North Cascade AMTA business panel featuring Dr Kruse, Sally Ledgerwood and yours truly.


Weekly Success Snippet:
"You Work As Slaves!!!"


listen right now:






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Do you think we work as slaves? Hit the comments link below and tell us what YOU think.



Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 7:40 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

August 26, 2006

Think Bigger About Who You Are!

Today I was inspired by new words of wisdom from my ballet teacher, Cher. She said, "Dance is a life-long exploration into getting bigger about who you are." You see as dancers we are always trying to reach our heads closer to the ceiling, our arms wider to the side, our legs longer and higher.... and on it goes.

It reminded me of something I read recently in Michael Port's excellent book, Book Yourself Solid (see book recommendations on the left). He said that the greatest strategy for personal and business development on the planet is bold self-expression. I couldn't agree more. So often we water down our "message" so much that we just get lost in the crowd.

Instead, Michael thinks that we need to get bigger about who we are and what we offer the world. To that end, he has started The Think Big Revolution.

I think we should start a Think Big Revolution for massage therapists. What do you think?

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 5:36 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

August 13, 2006

Do You Take Up Enough Space?

Prior to my massage career I danced professionally in NYC for many years. I no longer dance professionally, but I do still take dance classes regularly. It's one of the ways that I feed my soul!

I have a wonderful ballet teacher who is always providing insightful snippets that apply to life outside the dance studio as much as in it. In class yesterday she stopped us and said that we should redo the exercise, but this time as we were dancing, we should take up every morsel of space that we possibly could. Our movements became bigger and we all danced with more commitment and presence.

It made me wonder about my professional life, and the places that I don't take up as much space as the universe provides. When I do "claim my space and fill it" I have so much more confidence and pizzazz.

So where, in growing your massage business, do you take up all the space available to you, and where do you just slide by?

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 9:33 AM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

June 5, 2006

How to Beat the Massage Marketing Confidence Blues: Idea #10

Have you ever been at a networking event, or even a party and someone asks you what you do or what your specialty is and you feel tongue-tied?

Or you tell them that you are a massage therapist that focuses on Holographic Repatterning to balance non-coherent frequencies in the energy field, followed by restoring the bio-mechanical functioning of the body through Hoshino Therapy and by manipulating the fascia. And you finish the session off with the Rubenfeld Synergy Method which integrates components of Gestalt psychotherapy, Feldenkrais movement, and Ericksonian hypnotherapy to best meet the needs of the client... and you wonder why you get a blank stare?

Have you ever had that experience with your auto-mechanic?

To increase massage marketing confidence, practice explaining what you do in a clear, concise way, without using any massage lingo, so that instantly people respond by saying... "WOW, how soon can you fit me on your schedule?"

There is a chapter in my free workbookfocused on how to articulate what you do in a compelling way that gets you clients. You can sign up for it on the home page of this blog.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 4:11 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

June 4, 2006

How to Beat the Massage Marketing Confidence Blues: Idea #9

Work with a coach or mentor to help you stay focused and on track as you grow your business and build your massage marketing confidence.

If you don't yet have the resources to hire a professional coach, consider a buddy coach. Just be sure that the buddy you choose will actually hold you accountable to do the things you commit to. Pick someone that will really hold your feet to the flames, so to speak.

As a coach myself, I have found it invaluable to work with someone who has "been there, done it". It can really cut down your learning curve.

Not only that, if they are successful they are bound to have made tons of mistakes along the way. That's part of the journey. But why not learn from them so you don't have to make the same mistakes too. Now, that's a great confidence booster.

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Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 8:07 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

June 1, 2006

How to Beat the Massage Marketing Confidence Blues: Idea #8

Talk to or read about successful massage therapists. Be inspired by their stories of success. Find out what they did. See how you can apply that to your situation.

Got a great success story you'd like to share? Then we'd love to hear it. Just type it in the comments below.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 2:06 PM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

May 30, 2006

How to Beat the Massage Marketing Confidence Blues: Idea #7

Create a marketing action plan and chunk it down into do-able bite-sized pieces. Then stick with it!

Overwhelmed at the very thought of a massage marketing plan? Then here is a great article I wrote: A Simple 9-Step Marketing Plan for Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 11:04 AM | | TrackBacks (0)

May 26, 2006

How to Beat the Massage Marketing Confidence Blues: Idea #6

Continuously strive to improve your massage skills. Find other therapists that you like and trust, and ask them to give you constructive feedback on your work.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 11:03 AM | | TrackBacks (0)

May 24, 2006

How to Beat the Massage Marketing Confidence Blues: Idea #5

Make a list of the 6 things that you are absolutely better at than most other people. Any 6 things! Then find creative ways to incorporate them in as many ways as possible into your massage business. Have fun.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 8:02 AM | | TrackBacks (0)

May 21, 2006

How to Beat the Massage Marketing Confidence Blues: Idea #4

A great confidence booster is to collect and periodically read testimonials from your clients.

Don't feel comfortable asking for them? Then any time a client says something nice about you, (they do, don't they…?) write it down (as best as you can remember) and send or email it to them with a note asking if you can use it as a testimonial.

There is nothing like reading them from time to time to beat the blues. You can also use them in your marketing (with written permission of course).

So what is your BEST EVER client testimonial?  Go on, toot your own horn. Brag a little. And please share it with us by clicking on the "comments" link below.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 9:58 AM | | TrackBacks (0)

May 18, 2006

How to Beat the Massage Marketing Confidence Blues: Idea #3

Just ask... Ask your clients, friends, family and colleagues for referrals. You'd be surprised how often they assume that we are too busy to need or want new clients, and how willing they are to pass on the word about our good work.

And there is nothing better for the good old self esteem than an influx of new clients.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 5:47 AM | | TrackBacks (0)

May 14, 2006

How to Beat the Massage Marketing Confidence Blues: Idea #2

Every day, challenge yourself to write down at least 3 massage marketing victories. They could be either successes you had that day, or things that you overcame (like procrastination) in building your massage business. Keep a "victories journal" to read in those moments when you don't feel you are getting anywhere. It's a great reminder of what you have accomplished.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 11:00 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

May 11, 2006

How to Beat the Massage Marketing Confidence Blues: Idea #1

Call up 5 of your very favorite, regular clients and ask them what they most like about coming to you for a massage. You might be very surprised by the answers. A great confidence booster.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 8:57 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

May 10, 2006

Do You Have the Massage Marketing Confidence Blues?

Do you ever have those lulls in your business... when you know you have to go "out there" and get more massage clients? But you loath the very idea of picking up the phone and making those calls? Or scheduling a wellness talk? Or going to that networking event?

You see, often the problem is not that we don't know what to do to get more clients, but that we are simply a little "under the weather" when it comes to marketing confidence. And let's be honest, even the most successful therapists have confidence challenges from time to time.

Now I am not talking about general confidence. You may think you're the bee's knees in other areas of your massage business and in your personal life. But if you'd rather get a bikini wax (sorry guys) than make those follow up prospecting calls, then you might be suffering from the Massage Marketing Confidence Blues.

But the good news is, no matter how atrophied your massage marketing muscles may be, you can strengthen them with some simple confidence building strategies. I'll be sharing some of my favorites over the next few days. I'd love to hear some of yours...

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 8:53 AM | | TrackBacks (0)

April 27, 2006

When bad things happen....

This morning I went to hear a great marketing consultant, Taimi Dunn Gorman, speak about getting free publicity. Now wouldn't we all like more of THAT! She told a great (true) story I'd like to share with you.

There was a restaurant owner (in Seattle I believe) who had a disaster strike one day. A huge truck carrying syrup had an accident and overturned on the street just outside his restaurant. Of course it made quite a mess, and the street was closed most of the day.

The business owners were complaining and whining about having NO business 'cause nobody could get to them.

But not the enterprising  restaurant owner... He was way too busy making pancakes!!! And serving them to the hordes of reporters who came to survey the syrupy scene.

Do you think he made the news that night? And then some…

It made me ponder… Where in my life do I whine when I should be making pancakes.

How about you?

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 10:52 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

September 27, 2005

Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow???

Most of the time I can't believe how fortunate I am to love
what I do so much and get paid for it. But every so often I
have one of those days when I wish I could just go and get
a regular job. Do you ever have days like that?

The thought of getting up, going to a job where someone
else has all the responsibility, and coming home and being
absolutely done for the day occasionally seems so
appealing.. for about half a second.

Yes, my fantasies about being a barista in Starbucks, or
selling books all day in Barnes and Noble never last much
longer that that. 'Cause the truth is, I'm essentially
unemployable in the "real" world.

The closest thing I've ever had to a regular job was
working in a wool factory in Yorkshire, England when I was
a teenager the year between high school and college. I had
to punch in every morning and punch out every evening. I had
to explain to someone when I had to go to the loo
(translation: bathroom). The whole experience made me
realize very quickly that "jobville" was not for me.

So I've had my own businesses ever since. Some were very
successful, some moderately so, and some.. well let's just
say they were great learning experiences.

But always I followed my heart and my passion. You know
that thing they say.. "Do what you love and the money will
follow"? I do believe that's true, but I don't think that
it's the whole truth. Not at all. If it was there would be
no starving artists (or massage therapists for that matter)
in the world.

What I've found out is that there are certain qualities and
skills that a person really needs to develop if they are to
be truly successful in any entrepreneurial endeavor. But
also important is attitude and the "success mindset". More
about that soon.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 8:39 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

September 25, 2005

Are You Sick and Tired of it Too?

Are you sick and tired of hearing about how hard it is to make
really good money as a massage therapist?

Tired of hearing all those stories about the growing
competition as new therapists flock to the profession?

Well we don't buy it for one second either!

'Cause the truth is there are many massage practitioners
making an EXCELLENT living doing what they absolutely love!

And they probably don't work any harder than you. They've
just figured out how to work smarter.

But there are two aspects to working smarter. One is doing
the right things, but just as important (maybe more so) is
doing things RIGHT! And doing things right has as much to do
with attitude and mindset as the actual actions you take.

Have you ever noticed how one week you can do certain
marketing activities and nothing happens, and another week
you do the EXACT same things and your phone rings off the
hook

Huh!! So what's the deal here? Could it have anything to do
with your attitude, intensions… your MIND!

So, Massage Your Mind is for therapists who are sick and
tried of swimming upstream against the current and are ready
to "change their mind and change their life".

We will be exploring lots of resources to stretch your mind,
bend your mind and massage your mind into prosperity.

So do stick around.

Posted by Elizabeth Brown at 8:33 PM | | TrackBacks (0)