Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kevin Collins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kevin, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I could not be happier after starting two of my own business! The flexibility I have now is accompanied by an increase in earnings. It was not easy and a bit scary to go out on my own, but I am thankful to be here now. Starting Kevin’s Massage Therapy began in full force in 2020 in Austin TX. Prior experience managing other businesses and customer service jobs and having specific niche skills, like medical-style, pain-specific treatments was very important. I attribute my success to the amazing mentors, colleagues, and teachers that I have worked with. For me, the timing has been just right. Not too soon, and not too late, here we are.

As for my music business, it has also taken 10 years of learning all the right lessons, building the right team, and finding another niche in our very competitive and saturated world. The Kev Bev band could not have survived this long without accepting input, knowledge, and collaboration with my bandmates and co-lead wife.

Kevin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Massage therapy found me at the age of twenty-two. One morning, I woke up with a frozen neck and shoulder. If you don’t know what that is, It is when you are suddenly stuck (seeming for no reason, but likely from build-up following a prior car accident) and you can not turn your neck or move your arm. My first mentor Peggy Redding, LMT was the only relief from muscle tension and pain. Massage had helped me and I was forever intrigued by its power. This pain-specific style of massage was further advanced while working at a medical center in southwest Austin. Chiropractic Doctor Steven Descant at Austin Spine and Rehabilitation taught me a wealth of knowledge there. Supervisor Jeni Mallow, LMT brought me into the rooms with patients that were comfortable with me helping and learning. This hands-on learning in the field taught me many of the skills that get my clients the pain relief they see today. Did you know pressing on the abdomen can help back pain? Yes. Did you know that using cupping and cross-fiber friction can unravel chronic pain patterns? It can!

Having the flexibility to own my own business has allowed me more time for band adventures like blocking off work for playing the Pueblos Blancos Music Festival in Spain, and some short-run US tours.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

A time that I had to pivot while starting my own business was the first year of COVID-19. I had to pause my plans and accept the gracious offer to return to my previous employer until the dust had settled. Later I was able to transition again back to my own business.

Creatively, the business of music is a hard one to be financially successful. There have been pivots there as well. Until the money from streaming and touring can be increased further, I have been taking a more relaxed approach and just trying to enjoy the moment, art, community, and friendship a band brings.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

Scary times owning your own Massage business are when you are worried about your bills. The pros of having an employer are that you know what you are getting paid to budget. On your own, this may require having a couple of slow days and then accepting work in the evening or on the weekend. For me, it is a worthwhile trade.

One time the Kev Bev band had a big turnover in members like most groups/businesses do. I was worried it would not recover, but luckily the perfect new players began to join and took the band to the next level.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kevinsmassagetherapy.com. www.kevbevmusic.com
• Instagram: @kevinsmassagetherapy. @kevbevmusic
• Facebook: kevinsmassagetherapy kevbevmusic
• Youtube: Kev Bev
• Other: Band Photos by Travis Gallagher

Image Credits
Band pictures by Travis Gallagher. History Books still image from the new Kev Bev video and song “History Books” streaming on YouTube. Directed by Travis Gallagher and assistant director Hassan Christopher.