13 Massage Therapist Success Stories & Case Studies [2024]
Massage is a growing industry, and as such, many business options exist for those who want to enter this field. The most typical form of massage therapist business is an independent operation. This can be either out of one's home or a massage studio rented on an hourly basis.
Building a successful massage therapy business is not as difficult as you might think. Massage therapists offer much-needed services to communities and clientele. If you are looking for a new career or want to increase your income while delivering an important service, then starting a new massage therapist business can be an excellent choice.
Turn your massage therapy practice into a successful business by applying core business skills that lead to success.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a massage therapist:
1. Jenni Jo - Tension Tamer®️ ($60K/year)
Jenni Jo, a licensed massage therapist with years of experience in the touring and entertainment industry, had the idea to create a mobile body care spa in the form of a renovated Airstream trailer. Inspired by her work with artists like Faith Hill and Amos Lee, she wanted to provide on-site therapeutic healing without the hassle of hauling equipment. Since launching her Peace Pod business, Jenni Jo has received press coverage and support, and is currently working towards profitability and future expansion opportunities.
How much they make: $60K/year
Current team size: 0
Jenni Jo, a licensed massage therapist, shares her story of creating a mobile body care spa in a custom Airstream to cater to the niche market of touring entertainers, with features such as massage tables, lounging spaces, custom cabinetry, lighting, music, and aromatherapy, inspiring other entrepreneurs to keep taking steps towards their dreams.
2. Acupuncture Wellness Center ($72K/year)
Moira McCarthy, a licensed acupuncturist, started her business, Acupuncture Wellness Center, LLC, in 1997 after leaving her career as an environmental geologist. She purchased an existing acupuncture practice and focused on marketing herself through public appearances, health fairs, and networking groups. Today, she utilizes social media, email campaigns, and referrals to attract and retain customers, while delegating tasks to a team of professionals.
How much they make: $72K/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
Current team size: 0
Licensed acupuncturist, Moira McCarthy, shares her journey of leaving her career as an environmental geologist to start her own practice, which averages 65 to 70 clients per month at $90 per session, by attending health fairs and making public appearances to promote her practice.
So... can you actually make money with a massage therapist?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. Space To Be You ($144K/year)
Space To Be You, a mental health and holistic therapy center in London, was started by Izabela and Bryan Hunter after discovering a newly renovated premises with 10 rooms that could be used for therapy sessions. Recognizing the demand for mental health and wellbeing services amid the Covid-19 pandemic, they took advantage of government-backed startup loan schemes and their own savings to launch the business. They now have 25 therapists on board and are growing at a rate of 30% month-on-month, with the potential to double their monthly revenue of $8,000 within the next 12-18 months.
How much they make: $144K/year
How much did it cost to start: $35K
Current team size: 0
Space To Be You is a mental health and holistic therapy center that has grown at 30% month-on-month and currently generates $8000 in monthly revenue with 25 counselors and massage therapists providing services, and discusses securing funding and the challenges of starting up a therapy business during the pandemic.
4. Kala Mobile Meditation Studio ($156K/year)
Mother-daughter co-founders Athena and Maria started Kala Mobile Meditation after realizing the need for accessible mindfulness and stress management solutions. Athena, a massage therapist and life coach, understood the benefits of sound therapy and meditation for stress relief, while Maria, a mental health counselor, wanted to provide accessible mental health resources. They customized a 35 ft vehicle with meditation pods and created an innovative menu of audio meditations, generating approximately $13,000 in monthly revenue since their August 2019 launch.
How much they make: $156K/year
How much did it cost to start: $60K
Current team size: 0
Baltimore-based mother-daughter duo, Athena and Maria, co-founded Kala Mobile Meditation, a mobile meditation studio that generates approximately $13,000 a month by providing sound therapy and audio meditations through their 35 ft vehicle equipped with 8 meditation pods, a convenient and restorative space to calm the mind, reconnect with the self, and improve work productivity.
So... can you actually make money with a massage therapist?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
5. Snuggle with Sam ($106K/year)
Sam Varnerin came up with the idea for Snuggle with Sam after stumbling upon the concept of professional cuddling in a newsletter. Despite initially thinking it wasn't a real job, Sam saw the potential and signed up with an agency. However, after encountering various issues, Sam decided to create their own systems and eventually started their own independent professional cuddling practice.
How much they make: $106K/year
Current team size: 0
Professional cuddler, Sam Varnerin, developed her successful one-to-one cuddle service, Snuggle with Sam, as a result of recognising the universal human need for connection and touch, which also led to her opening Sam’s Snuggle School, a course for aspiring professional cuddlers.
6. Pulseroll ($2.88M/year)
How much they make: $2.88M/year
Current team size: 17
"Pulseroll is a fast-growing muscle recovery brand, stocked by leading British retailers and available in over 20 countries worldwide, founded by Paul McCabe in 2016 to make percussive massage therapy accessible and affordable for everyone through their range of vibrational therapy machines."
So... can you actually make money with a massage therapist?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
7. Robin ($42K/year)
How much they make: $42K/year
Current team size: 0
Meet the woman who makes $40K a year by cuddling clients in a calming space, which usually lasts for one to four hours and adheres to a strict code of conduct that respects client's personal space and boundaries.
8. Natural Forces Massage ($360K/year)
Timothy Turnbow, the founder of Natural Forces Massage, came up with the idea for his business after realizing his talent for relieving clients' pain through massage therapy. Inspired by the desire to have his own clinic and help others, he opened his doors in 2018 and has since garnered over 400 5-star reviews on Google Maps. With an average monthly sales of around $30,000, the business is thriving as they celebrate their 4-year anniversary.
How much they make: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $40K
Current team size: 0
Natural Forces Massage in Texas has seen sales grow year-over-year with an average of $30,000/month in sales, already has over 400 5-star reviews on Google, and boasts an employee count of 11 massage therapists and 5 receptionists.
9. Glosshouz ($3.3M/year)
Founder Loni, a former electrical engineer, decided to start Glosshouz after feeling a lack of purpose in her corporate career. She wanted to create a business primarily for women that offered a wide range of aesthetic and wellness services. Since its founding in 2016, Glosshouz has grown to have over 1000 monthly members and generated $3.3 million in revenue in 2022. Loni is now planning to franchise the Glosshouz brand and share her success with other entrepreneurs.
How much they make: $3.3M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.13M
Current team size: 35
Glosshouz is a full-service day spa that offers aesthetic and wellness services and has grown to over 1000 monthly members, earning $3,311,338 in revenue in 2022, and will soon be offering franchises.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings