Today we’d like to introduce you to Deborah Black.
Hi Deborah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Beaufort Massage & Bodywork is owned and operated by Deborah Black who is Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. I have been a licensed Massage Therapist for 22 years since graduating from Career Networks Institute Massage School in California, I moved to the Lowcountry in 2011 to join my husband who was stationed at MCAS Beaufort. Due to the lack of opportunities in Beaufort, I gained employment at different spas on Hilton Head Island for seven years.
In 2017, I came across a Facebook site called The Art of Building a Successful Massage Practice where I met Rebecca de Azevedo, a business coach and success mentor to massage therapists in private practice. I credit her for helping to elevate the industry and make business success easier for massage therapists. It has been my dream to build my own practice since school, but I did not have the tools or knowledge to do so. I took an 8-week course while beginning to take steps towards building my own practice. After being offered a room to rent from a chiropractor in Downtown Beaufort, I left my job in Hilton Head to pursue my dream and was able to obtain space in the building for my own practice when the chiropractor moved.
Eager to develop my business, I joined the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, placed business cards all over downtown, attended Coffee with Colleagues and Business After Hours to promote myself. After a year, I found that I was able to utilize a different approach in connecting with chiropractors, acupuncturists, and physical therapists to network. It was at this time I decided to leave the Chamber of Commerce. My business blossomed through word of mouth, referrals, and internet searches. One thing led to another, and I ended up becoming booked out three months in advance.
At Beaufort Massage & Bodywork, clients receive specialized care, focusing on neck and shoulder pain relief. Whether you suffer from stiffness or injury, I am dedicated to helping people ease their pain. I love it when my clients walk out with some sort of relief and that I’ve made a difference in their lives. Massage therapy is not a magic fix that can heal a client in one session. Many clients come in on a bi-weekly or monthly basis to invest in their well-being.
Beaufort Massage & Bodywork offers neck and shoulder therapy, deep tissue massage, Myoskeletal Alignment and Ashiatsu Therapy. Neck and shoulder therapy is perfect for those seeking relief from migraines, pain reduction, or an increase in range of motion by softening muscles that spasm. Ashiatsu is a barefoot massage technique in which the therapist delivers deep, broad, consistent pressure while utilizing their feet and body weight.
I am currently booked until February and no longer accepting new clients. You can find my information at www.beaufortmassagetherapy.com
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think anyone who runs a business will find challenges. It has its ups and downs. I’ve learned so many things. Some of the struggles were first finding clients and marketing the right way. I’ve learned about booking, balancing money, setting boundaries and time limits for scheduling. I’ve had to work with the public and learned to really listen. We’re all human and make mistakes along the way. Learning new techniques, content creation, website design, assessments, learning when to say no, checking in with clients, raising my rates, taking credit cards to protect my time and so much more.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I own Beaufort Massage & Bodywork. I have been a sole proprietor for 8 years and specialize in neck/shoulder therapy. I am Board Certified, a Master Myoskeletal Alignment Therapist and Deep Feet Bar Therapy Ashiatsu Massage trained. I have been awarded Best Massage in the LowCountry for the past 3 years. I have 64 five star reviews on Google and have many bi-weekly and monthly repeat clients. I think what sets me apart from others is my expertise and knowledge. The reviews speak for themselves. I am consistently learning new techniques and always strive to learn more and apply them. I am proud of the business model that I have created for myself. This is a small town and people talk. There is always someone referring their friends or family to me. I offer a select few services that mostly serve those who are seeking pain relief from neck/shoulders. I have a great understanding of the rotator cuff and low back pain relief.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I have looked at some Anatomy apps and several take home booklets from my seminars relating to Table Thai, Ashiatsu, Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy and James Waslaski Kinetic Chain Patterns for Shoulder Impingement. I sometimes follow Annette Montgomery on IG for business advice.
Pricing:
- $160 for 1 hour session
- $180 for 75 min session
- $200 for 90 min session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beaufortmassagetherapy.com
- Instagram: @beaufortmassage
- Facebook: Beaufort Massage & Bodywork
