We were lucky to catch up with Katrina Jarvis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Katrina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
100 percent I wish I started soon. When I first graduated massage school, like everyone else, I sought out day spas to gain “experience.” I did not have the confidence as a therapist yet to go out on my own. I did this for years and even then had to work as a bartender / server to supplement my massage therapy income.
But let me tell you, they pay TERRIBLY and you are worth more than crumbs. When you’ve paid to get an education, when you have the skill, you should NOT have to be struggling financially and relying on tips to make the wage acceptable nor should you have to perform 8-10 services a day just to get by. Doing so many services a day is brutal on your body. You will break down.
I wish I’d have started sooner.
Yes there is some overhead, and yes it’s scary, but if you market yourself correctly it is so worth it! You choose your hours, you choose your clientele, you are paid what you are worth.
I also believe these massage chains should be ashamed of themselves for how poorly they pay their therapists. And clients of massage should favor solo therapists over these chains. If they only KNEW how awful the pay was.
So anyone out there thinking about going out on your own, yes you can. Yes you’re qualified enough. Yes it is hard at first. But you are worth it!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Absolutely! I graduated massage school in 2003 and immediately went to work at the Spa at Pinehurst, NC.
Initially I was interested in massage for the day spa aspect but very quickly shifted over into sports, restorative, deep tissue, lymphatic etc.
I’ve been doing massage therapy for 21 years now with breaks in between to have my babies, and taking my license state to state as a Military Spouse. I’m also a 500RYT yoga instructor, and group fitness instructor, which is why my business name is Katrina Jarvis Wellness, not just massage.
Wellness is mind, body, spirit, and I didn’t want to be boxed in with that I do. Health, Wellness is all encompassing and the education never ends. We are constantly learning more about the human body.
I’ve worked in day spas, med spas, chains and while I love the work, I hated the pay.
Being out on my own has been the biggest shift, and the shift I needed.
I want potential clients to know; that I’m just normal. While I have years of experience now, and plenty of continuing education, I still don’t have all the answers to every problem but I will do my best to find them.
I have the heart for helping and I care very much about what I do. If you are on a massage therapists table, you should feel cared for, heard, and safe.
If you do not, you need to find another therapist.
A good therapist doesn’t necessarily have all the answers, but they should absolutely listen to you, and care.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Resilience for me has been, as a military wife I have had to relicense, rebuild, restart, so many times. But I have learned that I can do it. If you can do it once, you can do it again
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Post like you’ve already made it. Post like you already have the clientele and the business you want. Be delulu.
I’m serious. You have to be consisitent. You have to share. You have to build, even when you’re getting 3 likes. Keep going!
It took 3 years to build my following on social. By posting like I was already where I wanted to be.
Social media is crucial nowadays but at the same time, the only person paying attention to your likes and views is you.
So keep posting like you’re the expert. Like you’ve got it going on. Post like you’re someone worth following. Be confident and don’t get discouraged. You’ve got this
Contact Info:
- Website: https://msha.ke/katrinajarvis
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/katrina_danielle_yoga
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/gQdxHfF88onsR6BC/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@katrinajarvisyoga?si=HEni2DhZQ5zFzmil
- Other: https://music.apple.com/profile/mostlyhealthyhippie
Music is life. You can tell a lot about a person by their music
Image Credits
Shauna Aguilar of Field of Light Photography