Business Accelerator

Where it Started

This is my first time asking for crowdfunging to expand my massage therapy practice so that more people in the Fresno community can more easily access massage therapy under their health care providers and lead healthier lives.  I have worked as a massage therapist for the last twenty years and as an instructor (primarily) for the last seven. A friend suggested that I give people an opportunity to invest in my business that is a true-life passion, rather than a huge money maker. I always give back to the community as much as I can. As I grow my practice, I will be able to serve more in need - such as offering much needed support to domestic violence victims and veterans. (More on this later). My hope is that you will make asmall contribution that will make my business plan possible and help so many others.

I've been slowly growing a small, part-time massage practice for the last year on a shoe-string budget and drawing new clients through presentations to local businesses, doctors and physical therapists, as well as donating my time to events to the community. Now, I have an opportunity to partner with a large, local company with a health benefits plan that gives their employees access to my services. We'll start with a couple dozen employees at first, and expand from there. In order to take on these new clients, I need to invest in updated medical billing and processing software, a new certification change in State policy, insurance and additional accounting help. 

At the same time as gaining this corporate client, I'm going to step up my marketing and visibility in the community to gain more accounts. My goal is to grow my practice to 60 sessions per week, providing more care and more jobs to other therapists.  

Who else is being Helped

Being able to take on this new corporate client will also enable me to accept more "clients of need" -- I'll be able to do more volunteer work for two groups that I've been working with -- veterans and victims of domestic violence. I've been working with veterans whose benefits do not cover massage therapy or their doctors do not prescribe it, but these Vets find that the therapy helps them immensely. I also offer discounts or give free work to people who work for the Veterans admnistration like a client who works the suicide hotline. Its an incredibly stressful job, but the pay is low, and she stopped seeing me because she couldn't afford it. I got her back in at a price lower than most doctor co-pays.

I also work with an organization here in town that helps victims of domestic violence. Since most of these women prefer women therapists, I pay sub-contractors to visit them monthly to provide massage therapy service onsite. It's a small gesture, but one they appreciate. We also assist the organization with fundraising efforts.

I'd love to give discounts across the board, but that's not a viable business model. However, with the increase in business, I can offer more of these treatments to those in need.

If you can.

So, instead of borrowing and managing more debt, I got inspiration from a friend who said "it's okay to ask for help."   

I've been surrounded by incredibe friends all my life. I'm asking for a little help from you. If you can. I'll be incredibly grateful to you if you can help me step up my practice quickly to turn this small office into a viable, long-term practice. I'm not asking for much; maybe give an amount that you won't notice two weeks from now. Whatever that looks like to you. 

Keep an eye out for my new FB page, which I hope to keep more active, and my new business web page. (I will be present less on FB in the coming months - time to buckle down. Please forgive if you see more business updates than personal ones)
Also, if you're local to me here in Fresno and donate $40 or more, then I'll throw in a $75 1-hour treatment gratis for your donation.