Massage. Business. Success.

Amy Bradley Radford
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

The Massage. Business. Success podcast, hosted by Amy Bradley Radford, focuses on helping massage therapists grow their businesses and improve their skills. It covers topics such as marketing strategies, business management, client retention, and pain management techniques, providing practical advice and insights to help massage therapists succeed in their careers.

  1. The Career Lesson Massage School Didn't Teach Me

    6d ago

    The Career Lesson Massage School Didn't Teach Me

    When I graduated from massage school, I believed becoming a better therapist meant learning more techniques. For years I chased continuing education, certifications, and better answers—hoping the next class would finally give me the confidence I was looking for. But somewhere along the way, I realized the biggest lesson of my career wasn't another technique. It was learning how to think differently. In this deeply personal episode, I share the experiences that shaped my career, from recovering after a serious car accident to treating clients inside a physical therapy clinic, owning massage schools, developing Pain Patterns & Solutions, coaching massage therapists, and discovering what it really means to care professionally without carrying the weight of every client home with you. This episode also marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Massage Business Success Podcast as we move to a weekly format. Over the next year, I'll be sharing the lessons I've learned over more than thirty years in this profession to help bridge the gap between graduating from massage school and becoming the therapist you dreamed of becoming. In this episode, you'll learn: Why more certifications don't automatically create confidence. The invisible challenge every massage therapist faces after graduation. How learning to think differently changed my career. The difference between professional boundaries and professional caring. Why confidence comes from experience—not collecting techniques. The question that changed the way I approach business, pain management, and teaching. Why this podcast exists and what you can expect over the next year. Reflection Question: What am I trying to solve with another class that might actually require a different way of thinking? TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Welcome to the Massage Business Success Podcast 01:34 - Massage is more than techniques 03:28 - The gap between school and real-world confidence 06:17 - Amy’s early career in physical therapy 09:03 - Caring deeply without overburdening yourself 11:50 - Professional boundaries vs. professional caring 1 5:07 - The real challenge after school: confidence 20:15 - Moving from techniques to principles 26:04 - Personal authenticity and professionalism 29:25 - Massage as kindness, respect, and genuine care 33:22 - Connecting purpose with professional practice 36:12 - Weekly podcast announcement 36:42 - Closing thoughts Offers Mentioned: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/class-bundle-page Coaching Request Form: https://forms.gle/9gy32gHhBE5zRHTb9 Website  https://amybradleyradford.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybradleyradford/

    37 min
  2. The Secret Behind a Full Massage Schedule

    Jun 23

    The Secret Behind a Full Massage Schedule

    Most massage therapists think a full schedule comes from better marketing, more social media, learning another technique, or somehow working harder than everyone else. But after more than 30 years as a massage therapist, educator, business coach, and practice owner, I've discovered something very different. The therapists who stay busy year after year aren't necessarily the most talented, the most experienced, or the most visible online. They simply understand a business principle that most massage therapists were never taught. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the three business systems that quietly drive every successful massage practice and explain why so many therapists feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about what to do next. We'll explore: Why massage therapy is actually one of the simplest businesses to build once you understand the moving parts The three cycles every successful massage business depends on: referrals, repeat clientele, and revenue Why business growth often feels emotional and unpredictable The hidden difference between getting clients and keeping clients Why some therapists stay consistently busy for decades while others continually struggle to fill their schedules The mindset shift that can help you stop guessing and start growing with confidence Whether you're trying to attract more clients, improve retention, raise your prices, or simply create a business that feels more stable and sustainable, this episode will help you see your practice through a completely different lens. Because the secret to a full schedule isn't working harder. It's understanding the systems that make growth happen. TIMESTAMPS 00:37 Intro: why business feels hard and emotionally chaotic 2:04  Core idea: every business has a system/container 3:54  Comparison examples: bakery and retail boutique 5:22  Massage therapy is relationship-based, not inventory-based 6:18  The three cycles introduced: referrals, repeat clients, revenue 8:59  Common mistake: focusing too much on getting clients 11:17  Shift to mindset: stop asking “what’s wrong with me?” 12:38  Overcomplicating business instead of strengthening systems 16:24  Cycle 1 begins: referrals 21:36  Cycle 2 begins: repeat clientele 28:52  Cycle 3 begins: revenue 33:35  These cycles repeat at every business stage 37:41  Plateaus are transition, not failure 39:54  Different business stages need different support 41:20  Business growth is emotional, not just structural 44:07  Massage is selling an experience, not a physical product 46:55  Burnout warning and sustainability 48:52  Closing message: you’re probably doing better than you think 51:41  Final takeaway: identify which cycle needs attention next Offers Mentioned: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/class-bundle-page Coaching Request Form: https://forms.gle/9gy32gHhBE5zRHTb9 Website  https://amybradleyradford.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybradleyradford/

    54 min
  3. Stop Guessing, Start Assessing: A Conversation with Tom Swales

    Jun 3

    Stop Guessing, Start Assessing: A Conversation with Tom Swales

    As therapists, many of us spend years collecting techniques, certifications, and treatment approaches, hoping the next tool will finally provide the answers we're looking for. In this episode, I sit down with physiotherapist, strength coach, and founder of the Advanced Movement Therapist (AMT) Certification, Tom Swales, for a fascinating conversation about assessment, critical thinking, recovery, and what it really takes to create meaningful change for our clients. Tom shares his incredible journey of surviving a life-threatening battle with sepsis, how that experience transformed his perspective on health and resilience, and why he believes clinicians need to stop chasing pain and start understanding the bigger picture. What I loved about this conversation is that we explore many of the same questions therapists ask every day: How do we know our treatment is working? Why do some clients improve quickly while others stay stuck? How do we move beyond symptom chasing and create lasting results? Whether you're a massage therapist, manual therapist, or healthcare professional, this episode will challenge you to think differently about pain, assessment, and the role we play in helping people heal. In This Episode We Discuss:  Why treating the painful area isn't always treating the problem The difference between guessing and assessing Tom's remarkable recovery after surviving sepsis and organ failure Why movement testing can reveal what pain alone cannot How communication, trust, and hope influence recovery The connection between psychology, neurology, biology, chemistry, and physics Why clients need measurable proof that change is happening How clinicians can develop a framework that creates more confidence and better outcomes Tom is also offering a free training on his website: 8 Neurohacks for Rapid Client Results – How to Reduce Pain and Get Clients Moving Faster Learn more at:https://www.amtcertified.ca/training Im still waiting to be your business coach! Reach out to me here: ABR Coaching Request Form: https://forms.gle/9gy32gHhBE5zRHTb9 Website  https://amybradleyradford.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybradleyradford/

    54 min
  4. The Financial Side of Massage Therapy No One Teaches You with Guest Danielle Hayden

    May 12

    The Financial Side of Massage Therapy No One Teaches You with Guest Danielle Hayden

    Most massage therapists are tracking their schedule, their clients, and how exhausted they feel at the end of the week… but not their numbers. And if you’re trying to build a business that actually supports you long term, eventually you have to stop guessing financially. In this episode, I sit down with Danielle Hayden, founder of Kickstart Accounting, to talk about the emotional side of money, why so many therapists avoid their numbers, and how understanding your finances can completely change the way you run your business. This conversation goes far beyond bookkeeping. We talk about burnout, money mindset, paying yourself consistently, separating personal and business expenses, building a support team, and why your numbers are actually one of the most powerful tools you have as a business owner. Danielle shares practical guidance on: What a financially healthy massage business actually looks like Whether a six-figure income is realistic for solo therapists Why avoiding your numbers creates more burnout The importance of paying yourself as a business owner When to consider becoming an S-Corp How to stop making emotional business decisions Why the goal is actually to pay taxes The four people every business owner should have on their “money team. One of my favorite parts of this conversation is how grounded and human it is. There’s no shame here, no pressure to “have it all figured out.” Just honest conversation about learning how to build a business that truly supports your life. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the financial side of your business, this episode will help you look at your numbers in a completely different way. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Financial Awareness for Therapists02:41 Understanding the Importance of Numbers in Business05:23 Overcoming Money Mindset Challenges08:08 The Path to a Six-Figure Income10:59 Emotional Decision-Making in Business13:45 Transforming Perspectives on Business Finances15:43 The Role of Data in Business Decisions20:37 The Importance of Revenue Growth and Investment23:41 Understanding Profit and Tax Responsibilities29:18 Building Your Money Team for Success32:25 Transitioning from LLC to Corporation35:14 The Value of Paying Yourself37:14 Making Informed Business Decisions39:31 Support and Services from Kickstart Accounting Offers Mentioned: Feel free to book a call at kickstartaccountinginc.com/book (and mention my name!) or visit their website to learn more about how they can support your business financials.  Coaching Request Form: https://forms.gle/9gy32gHhBE5zRHTb9 Website  https://amybradleyradford.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybradleyradford/

    43 min
  5. Stop Guessing Your Taxes

    Apr 28

    Stop Guessing Your Taxes

    Most massage therapists don’t have a tax problem… they have a system problem. In this episode, Amy Bradley Radford breaks down why tax season feels so overwhelming—and why it has very little to do with taxes themselves. If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling in March, missing deductions, unsure where your money went, or feeling like your business isn’t actually supporting you the way it should, this conversation will shift how you see everything. This isn’t about complicated accounting or learning tax forms. It’s about understanding how your daily habits, your spending patterns, and your money flow inside your business are either working for you… or quietly working against you. Amy walks through the foundational systems that make your business easier to track, how and when money actually becomes taxable, and why waiting until April takes away your ability to make real financial decisions. She also dives into overlooked areas like cash tracking and mileage, and how small shifts in behavior can significantly change your financial clarity and outcomes. This episode is about learning how to see your business clearly—so you can make decisions earlier, reduce stress, and start building a business that actually supports your life long-term. TIME STAMPS: 00:00  Introduction to Sustainable Business Practices02:34  Taking Control of Your Business Finances07:41  Understanding Your Business Relationship with Money12:54  The Importance of Tracking Your Business Numbers19:32  Establishing Clear Financial Boundaries24:12  Organizing Business Expenses for Tax Deductions25:38  Understanding Taxable Income and Business Flow27:34  Balancing Business Expenses and Personal Income29:54  The Importance of Tracking Income and Expenses32:45  The Role of Cash in Business Management35:42  The Impact of Cash Handling on Business Finances38:38  Tracking Mileage for Business Efficiency43:55  Reinforcing Good Financial Habits46:45  Creating a Healthy Business-Personal Income Relationship Coaching Request Form: Click Here! Website  https://amybradleyradford.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybradleyradford/

    49 min
  6. Managing Your Schedule Like the Professional You Are

    Mar 21

    Managing Your Schedule Like the Professional You Are

    If you are a massage therapist struggling with schedule management, client communication, or keeping your calendar full, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening behind the scenes. In this episode of the Massage Business Success Podcast, Amy breaks down one of the most overlooked skills in running a successful massage practice: managing your schedule as a professional service provider. After a frustrating personal experience trying to find a hairstylist who wouldn’t return calls or texts, Amy connects this common issue directly to what many clients experience when trying to book with massage therapists. This episode dives into why massage therapists often struggle with returning calls, responding to text messages, and managing appointment requests—especially as their schedule becomes full and burnout begins to set in. You’ll learn how poor communication can quietly lead to lost clients, reduced client retention, and inconsistent income—and what to do instead. Amy also explains how online booking systems work well when you are building your massage business, but can potentially begin to lose effectiveness as your client base grows and your schedule becomes more relationship-driven. This episode will help you: Improve client communication and response time Build professional scheduling habits that increase client trust Prevent schedule management burnout Understand when to use (and when to limit) online booking software Learn how to “work your schedule” to fill cancellations and increase income Create a schedule that supports your energy, longevity, and work-life balance If you want to grow a stable massage therapy business, improve client retention, and maintain consistent cash flow, learning how to manage your schedule effectively is essential. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and the story of finding my new hair stylist  01:07 The Importance of Client Communication 08:41 Understanding the Dual Roles of Service Providers 16:07 The Hidden Work of Schedule Management 21:56 Creating Effective Communication Systems 28:06 Professional vs. Personal Communication Habits 30:26 Navigating Professional Communication 39:59 The Role of Online Booking Systems 45:45 Working Your Schedule Effectively 56:29 The Importance of Self-Management in Scheduling   MORE FROM AMY BRADLEY RADFORD: NEW! Massage Practice Health Snapshot - A 5-minute survey to help YOU figure out where you are at in your business! https://forms.gle/CUP4Rzx46rgEU9kZA Website  https://amybradleyradford.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybradleyradford/

    59 min
  7. Designing a Massage Menu That Actually Builds Your Business

    Feb 13

    Designing a Massage Menu That Actually Builds Your Business

    Most massage therapists have a menu. Very few are actually using it to build their business. In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the most overlooked business tools in the massage industry: your menu. Not as a laminated sheet of services. Not as a list of everything you’ve ever learned. But as a system that quietly trains your clients how to spend money with you. If you’ve been stuck at $65, $75, or $85 per session…If you’ve added cupping, hot stones, aromatherapy, stretching, and still feel capped…If your menu has 17 options and you secretly know people only book two of them… This episode is for you! We talk about: Why listing more services doesn’t increase income How your menu trains clients (whether you realize it or not) The psychology of buyer behavior in massage Why add-ons rarely change spending patterns The “Power of the Hour” concept Real coaching case studies (yes, including crossing the $100 line) Why refining your menu can feel scary — but necessary How to design experiences instead of selling techniques And how I accidentally turned aromatherapy into a structured system Your menu is either working for you… or quietly working against you. Let’s fix it. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Sustainable Business in Massage Therapy 03:04 The Importance of a Strategic Menu 05:51 Understanding Buyer Behavior and Client Experience 09:05 Enhancing Skills and Customer Service for Financial Success 12:01 The Role of Packages in Menu Design 14:52 Case Studies: Real-Life Applications of Menu Strategies 24:02 Refining Your Menu for Clarity and Client Guidance 30:02 Creating Unique Experiences to Increase Value 36:05 The Emotional Side of Menu Design 41:49 Conclusion: Your Menu as a Tool for Financial Growth   OFFERS MENTIONED: Do you want to work with Amy? Fill out this coaching application: https://forms.gle/8fX1mLawrRTwZ7Xs6 Align Essential Oils: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/align-oils MORE FROM AMY BRADLEY RADFORD: Coaching: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/coaching Website:   https://www.amybradleyradford.com/ Store: https://2274d0.myshopify.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/

    55 min
  8. The Year You Stop Playing Small in Your Massage Business

    Jan 14

    The Year You Stop Playing Small in Your Massage Business

    This episode is about the year you stop playing small in your massage business — not by working harder or adding more to your plate, but by changing how you think about growth. So many massage therapists don’t actually have a business problem. They’re skilled, dedicated, and deeply committed to their clients. What tends to hold people back over time isn’t a lack of effort — it’s the set of assumptions we absorbed early in our careers about what’s possible, sustainable, or “just how massage works.” In this episode, I walk you through why those assumptions quietly become invisible limits — and how updating your mental framework can immediately change how your business feels and functions. We talk about: Why growth doesn’t have to mean more hours, more clients, or more strain on your body How the “box” most therapists operate inside gets formed — and why it’s so hard to see The difference between overthinking and true discernment Why clarity usually comes after action, not before How small, thoughtful experiments can create momentum without burnout This is not an episode about fixing yourself or blowing up your business. It’s about learning how to think differently so your business can evolve naturally — in a way that supports your energy, your values, and the work you want to keep doing long-term. If you’ve felt a quiet sense that you’ve outgrown something — but aren’t sure what comes next — this conversation is for you. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Welcome + the year you stop playing small 00:45 – What if growth isn’t about doing more? 03:30 – Why most massage therapists don’t have a business problem 05:05 – Defining “the box” we all start inside 08:30 – When assumptions quietly limit growth 13:10 – Thinking differently vs. pushing harder 14:05 – How overthinking keeps you stuck 18:40 – Why clarity comes after action, not before 22:30 – Energy as information in your business 29:15 – How to start moving forward without overhauling everything 35:40 – Small experiments that build confidence 42:10 – Letting your business evolve with you 48:30 – Carrying this mindset forward + closing thoughts   OFFERS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: Hire Amy as your business coach! https://forms.gle/8fX1mLawrRTwZ7Xs6   MORE FROM AMY BRADLEY RADFORD: Coaching: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/coaching Website:   https://www.amybradleyradford.com/ Store: https://2274d0.myshopify.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Massage. Business. Success podcast, hosted by Amy Bradley Radford, focuses on helping massage therapists grow their businesses and improve their skills. It covers topics such as marketing strategies, business management, client retention, and pain management techniques, providing practical advice and insights to help massage therapists succeed in their careers.

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