I Do NOT Work for Free

Monday morning, 8 a.m.  The phone rings from a prospective client. I’m hoping to continue the conversation about providing service for his event later this year.  He first assumed that I wouldn’t be available during the day to provide services, because I “must work somewhere else”.   *scratches head* He asked me if this was ‘something I do on the side.”  I vaguely remember him using the words “little massage business”.  He proceeds to tell me that the organization chooses quality vendors.  Then he said that he wanted to barter.   PAUSE.  Barter means “trade”.  What was he offering me in return for 14 hours of massage?  Nada.  I summed up that he didn’t want to conduct business.  He wants me to work for free!  “Exposure”, “ visibility”, whatever the verbally creative want to call it these days. 

I DO NOT WORK FOR FREE. PERIOD.  I learned this lesson at the tender age of 21, when working in the communication department for an NBA team.  I couldn’t pay my bills with game tickets!  (As an employee, you aren’t allowed to sell them)  Money is the tool we use to create a livelihood and quality of life experience here on this earth.   Now, don’t get it twisted.  I donate several massage therapy sessions annually for silent auction items to organizations and worthy causes that I or my clientbase support.   

Barter/trade is a useful tool.  Here is where I draw the line. The key is there must be a mutual benefit for both parties.  If you are organizing an event where there is a registration fee involved and participants are flying in from around the country, staying in hotels, renting cars, and eating out, why assume that I want to provide service for free to a group who does not live in my area and the likelihood of them becoming regular clients is slim to none? There is not much ROI (return on investment) in that situation for me to justify 14 hours of free massage therapy time, which is the equivalent of $1,330.

 I understand the economic concerns for trying to get as much bang for your budget, but why would you low-ball the small business owner?   We want to grow and expand, but can’t do that without capital and support from our community and client base.  It basically boils down to VALUE.  Do you value your community’s small business owners, especially service providers?

I recognize my role and responsibility to educate potential clients on who I am, how I run my business and what I expect of my clients.  First, in the State of Texas, a massage therapist must complete a certification program consisting of 500 hours, minimum, including 50 hands-on hours in clinical study BEFORE qualifying to sit for the state licensing exam.  Massage Therapy programs range from $3,000 to $5,000. The exam is in Austin and administered in two parts, one part practical, the other part written.  The exam costs $150 and takes most of day.  The license must be renewed every two years costing $110 and 12 hours worth of continuing education units, at an additional cost, must be completed during that period.   Since I am also a licensed aesthetician, I also completed a 750 hour program, took the licensing exam and must maintain that license bi-annually.  Did you also know I’m also a licensed massage instructor?  CEU provider? …and the licensing courses, exams, and fees continue.  

With over 10 years of professional massage therapy experience and thousands of hands-on massage hours under my belt, I aim to provide a high-quality massage experience for my clients.  I value them and I hope they value and respect all that I have invested in my education, training, and building this business.