How to build a thriving business as a Shiatsu practitioner?

Soulful business and marketing strategies are about real connections and genuine intentions. They provide an opportunity to start a conversation, share a story, listen to a need and fulfill it from one heart to another.

There’s never been a better time to spread the message, values and ethos of Shiatsu across all communities. The world needs it! Chances are you love Shiatsu as much as we do. You probably trust that it has the power to foster holistic well-being and bring more good to the world. Your passion and dedication for the practice are the foundational steps to building a thriving business as a Shiatsu practitioner. However, being incredibly passionate may not be enough on its own. You also need to master your craft, put yourself out there, and dare we say… sell your services.

We know it may feel challenging. You may believe that if your services are good enough, your client list will grow organically. While that may be possible to some extend, developing a business rarely happens by chance. Shiatsu can provide an incredibly rewarding career path, but it also takes a lot of hard work, dedication, consistency, continuous personal development, time, energy, financial resources, and the list can go on. All these investments that you are making deserve appropriate compensation.

Throughout this article we want to inspire you to believe in yourself and the power of Shiatsu while gain the confidence to build a thriving business without having to sacrifice your well-being.

1. Start with your mindset.

Good people do good with money. Developing an abundance mindset can help you see that there is enough health, wealth and resources for everyone and life brings new opportunities at every corner. If you believe that the market is saturated or that you can’t thrive by doing something you love so much, chances are that you’ll see evidence of this all around you. Overcoming scarcity mindset can be challenging, but it is incredibly rewarding!

Start by identifying the limited core beliefs about yourself and the world around you. What thoughts do they come with? Write them down and gradually open yourself up for new possibilities. You don’t have to fully believe these new versions just yet. Play around and see what happens.

2. Embrace multiple roles.

Building a thriving Shiatsu business is not just about the wonderful one-to-one time you get to spend with your clients. Throughout your career you’ll get the opportunity to wear many hats and although some may be more challenging than others, you get the chance to explore different areas of your business. There will be times when you have to use your customer service skills to welcome and interact with your clients, times when you step into the role of the inspiring guide and times when you’ll sit at your desk to complete your accounting duties. You’ll also get the opportunity to become your very own marketing manager, and if this sounds scary, keep reading to shift your perspective.

3. Develop your expertise.

If you are a qualified practitioner you’re probably equipped with the ability to work with clients from different areas. Whether you’re owning a private practice, a clinic, work in collaboration with other organisations or decide to build your individual model of services, developing an expertise will help you stand our from the crown. Reflect of your strengths and abilities. Notice what are your gifts and the things you naturally excel at. Explore what make you unique and sets you apart from others in your field. Maybe you naturally attract a specific type of clientele or really enjoy serving a group of people. Nurture those abilities and interests by taking Continuous Personal Development courses and showcase your skills in those areas.

4. Define your niche (audience).

Who do you want to work with? “Niche” is marketing jargon for a specific target audience. Shiatsu is indeed for everyone and you may be able to work with clients with various background and conditions, but narrowing down to what matches your skills and expertise can help you connect with people that are in alignment with heart of your business. Understanding who you are here to serve, what are their needs, wants or desires can help you provide services that fulfill and contribute to their well-being. Choosing a niche doesn’t meant that you will not be able to serve anyone else, but it does help you differentiate yourself. There will be people our there looking for the exact thing you offer, make it easy for them to find you.

5. Don’t “charge your worth”.

You may be wondering why do we say this since many marketers out there are saying to “charge your worth”. While we believe that you should be appropriately compensated for the value of your services, your worth is intrinsic and doesn’t have anything to do with your hourly rate. Charge according to the value of your services. Deciding on the right price for your services needs to take in to consideration different factors. Your level of experience, average price per region, types or duration of the sessions, costs involved and everything else that require spending other resources (time, energy) from your side. Shiatsu sessions within the UK costs an average of £45.00, but you have the power to decide your own prices to make your business financially viable.

6. Collaboration over competition.

Going back to our first point, having an abundant mindset means that you embrace the multitude of resources available at every corner. Learn how to nurture every opportunity and trust that there is enough space for everyone. Having a supportive network that you can turn to whenever needed will help you navigate this journey with more ease and less resistance. Collaborating with other practitioners will not only make your journey less lonely but can open a wide range of opportunities for each party. They may be specialising in different areas which can make it easier to exchange contacts and share resources.

7. Build a business and marketing strategy.

We left this step at the end because we know it may be one of the most challenging step for many holistic business owners our there. If you are reading this article, we know that you are probably driven by passion and service. After all, we share the ethos and values of Shiatsu. However, if you don’t make your business financially viable many people will miss out on the wonderful gifts you came here to share with the world. Let’s find a way to befriend the business and marketing aspect of your Shiatsu journey!

If you are getting paid for offering Shiatsu you already have a business. Congratulations! Please don’t shy away from the title of (holistic) business owner, soulpreneur, spiritual entrepreneur or anything else you might find suitable. If you’re not there just yet, we hope to convince you to start embracing appropriate compensation for your valuable services.

The business is a step by step guide that shows you how to achieve your goals. Contrary to the popular belief, if doesn’t have to be complicated at all. It can be as simple as two pages. The marketing plan is part of the business strategy and it shows how you will promote your services to achieve those goals. Here’s a playful framework to follow:

• What do I do? (services)
• Who do I do it for? (audience)
• Why do I do it? (mission)
• Where am I going? (goals)
• What do I need to get there? (resources, clients)
• Where do I find what I need? (online or specific locations)
• How can I start a conversation? (marketing)

Business and marketing can be about real connections and genuine intentions. They bring opportunities to start a conversation, share a story, listen to a need and fulfill it with your service from one heart to another.

Conclusion

We believe that it is possible to build a thriving business doing what you love. There has never been a better time to share the ethos and values of Shiatsu with the world. If you love Shiatsu as much as we do, it’s time to start embracing new possibilities.