Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Taylor.
Hi Tina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in a household of 7 kids. I’m the 3rd oldest. I have an older brother and sister and then 2 younger brothers and sisters. I would always be the one rubbing everyone’s shoulders. I always had people say your good at this you should go to school so you can make money doing massage. I didn’t bat an eye to that I was young. I worked at countless places bouncing here and there. When I was working at an auction place I decided I was done bouncing. And therefore started looking into massage school. I went to check it out with my mom. That was in 2008 so 6 years after I graduated high school.
I had a daughter when I was 19 in 2003 and a son in 2005. So they were little when I attended. My husband and I worked at the same places so our schedules were the same so when I was working FYI time 40+ hours a week. And going to massage school part-time at night was tough but I’m thankful that I did it. Then as I neared graduation from massage school. I was working full-time 40+ at the auction place doing classes at night part-time and then on Sunday mornings doing a clinic. Where I worked on clients that came into the school. So I was busy 24/7 or so it felt like it! Then after I graduated I was still working full time at the auction place and I didn’t have time to look for a massage job.
Then, I finally realized that I would never have time to look if I didn’t do it and so I did. I found a place where I worked full time. Full time in massage is considered 15+ hours a week because of the wear and tear on your body. So I was working 40+ hours during the day and 20+ hours doing massage at night and on the weekends. I worked doing that for a few month or more I don’t recall how long exactly. Then I decided I was going to go full massage and made the leap and left the employment world of being an employee. I worked there for 8 months but the owner had to many mood swings for me to handle to stay. So I looked elsewhere to work. I found a chiropractor I worked for, for 6 days back to back on clients. Then I worked at a place where I made better commission than my previous place. It took a bit to build clientele. I was there for 6/7 years I believe. Then I left because there was compilations with the state which would make me an employee. So I left. I found a chiropractor in Lehi where I worked for a good couple of years. He had bars on one of the ceiling. He said at one point he had a LMT that did ashiatsu massage. I learned Fijian Bar therapy at the first location I worked. So being able to use bars again was great. I’m certified in Fijian Bar therapy and self taught in Ashiatsu massage. I let there when it was just to slow. With my schedule only allowing certain hours with 1 car. Then I found another chiropractor in Sandy. That I worked for a year, but was to slow and limit availability and hours he had patients. I found another place where another LMT I worked with worked and worked there until the place more so went under. It got slow for massage so I returned to the employment working for Smith’s food and drug. I started freight and worked overnight Then I got pregnant and worked during the days and worked shorter shifts. My massage was still way slow so I’m thankful I had Smith’s to fall back on so we weren’t hurting for money. I actually tried to quit Smith’s 3xs (which includes before and after I had her) they told me no all 3xs. So I stayed. I had informed them when I started that I do massage so I can only do certain days and times and they said they could work around my schedule.
Then, I had my daughter in 2017 and took off for a bit working at smiths and doing massages. When when I returned I did a handful of clients that I had that were my clients and did a little at smiths. Then I worked at a spa again but with limited days and times available I wasn’t really busy. We have 1 car so I’d have to work my schedules around getting my kids to school and my husband to work. Then the pandemic hit and I had to quit massage for 2 months. Now that was torcher!!! If I chose not to do massage it’s fine but when someone tells me I can’t then it’s all about the bawling!!! So when that happened I asked at Smith’s if I could work more they said yes so I had a income still which was great.
By all means, I hate the masks but if needed then ok I’ll wear them. Then I went back to massage when the huge scare was kinda over with doing what we normally do sanitize, sanitize, sanitize. Then I was still slow at the spa because of limited time to actually be there to work. Then 2021 hit and I’m all I’m done. I let them know. And then I had colleagues refer clients to me. And now I am busier than ever. I stuck in there. I have been practicing massage for 11 years now and I still love it! Don’t get me wrong I have my up and down days. But more up than down.:) This year, I will have an 18-year-old, 16-year-old, and a 4-year-old. And married for 18 years. Together for 20 years. And we are still lovely dovey, my older kids hate it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No. Ups and downs. Busy. Slow. Busy. Slow. Back and forth. But meeting new lmts along the way and keeping in contact so I can refer or trade when I need bodywork. I have been trading with my one LMT friend for 8 years or so. She’s amazing and knows what my body needs. I’d say the struggles are. Not making enough to keep going or burning out and then you don’t practice as long as you’d like to. Or you get stuck in a rut and do a cookie-cutter massage. Where every client gets the same massage per say but a tad different. I’ve been there and done that. For a month or so I’d say. I do not recommend it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a licensed massage therapist, not a masseur. That is layman’s term for massage. Before schooling and others that do more than massage. Which makes me want to yell! Stop downgrading my profession and those that are healthcare to help others. I critique the session for each client to what they need. Some want full body while others like just focus. I’m known for deep or injury work. I love learning new things to pass on to my clients so they can get the relief they need.
I love using unscented Amber cream it’s hypoallergenic so I don’t have to worry about any allergies. I also use a healing balm called magic stuff. There’s different strengths. A-athlete, M-mothers kiss, K-kids. These all have a cooling effect like ice to help with healing. And other great uses. And H-heat. Which heats up to help with healing.
I offer 60,90,120 minute massages. I rent a room from a chiropractor in Sandy. Which is my friends room. I use it when on days she’s not working. Where there’s bars on the ceiling to do Fijian or Ashiatsu massage. And after a few appointments there, I offer outcall if you choose to have me come to you. I do not charge extra to come to you.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Just do what you love. And learn as much as you can and share with others. Referrals are my best friend.
Pricing:
- 60m $80
- 90m $115
- 120m $170
- 30m $50
Contact Info:
- Email: Leaftytinataylorbpf@gmail.com
- Website: becomepainfreemassage.abmp.com
