Winners don’t do different things, they do things differently. These words are true to the core and that is what Camberley, Surrey-based The Massage Company has been doing since its establishment in 2016. With a deep study of the science of body massage, The Massage Company is redesigning the massage industry to make it easier for people to benefit from massage.
It all started when CEO & Founder Elliot Walker, met his business partner Managing Director & Founder Charlie Thompson over lunch to discuss their future plans. Having worked in the Health and Wellness Industry from the start of his career, Walker was well aware of the synergistic affects body and mind can have on each other. Call it God’s plan or call it destiny, both the founders wanted to launch a membership-based massage business in the UK and then franchise it nationwide. From the lunch table to a thriving business in the UK, the journey has been truly amazing. The Massage Company is running successfully across the UK with one owned and three franchise centers. With more company-owned and franchise centers in the pipeline, they look forward to going international through the launch of their first location in India.
The American College of Massage Therapists suggests that body massage offers over 25 health benefits. It has been found to be very effective in the treatment and management of chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain.
Bringing high-quality massage to the mainstream
The history of body massage therapy dates back to 3000 BC in India where it was considered as a sacred process that induced natural healing. Being the land of origin of Ayurveda, Indians understand the importance of a deep body massage. Due to its natural qualities of healing injuries, relieving pain, preventing and curing illnesses, body massage is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is also known to cure ailments like lower back pain which is a global physical issue.
https://www.amtamassage.org/find-massage-therapist/25-reasons-to-get-a-massage/
The American College of Massage Therapists suggests that body massage offers over 25 health benefits. While it has been found to be very effective in the treatment and management of chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain, it has also proven to be a life-changing treatment for patients suffering from depression, PTSD, stress and anxiety. However, despite the health benefits it offers, the practice of massage has only recently gained scalable commercial popularity. With people becoming more and more aware of its long term health benefits, there are many players who are getting into this business. However, the massage they offer is often frequently expensive yet of mediocre quality. The Massage Company, on the other hand, is one brand that understands the soul of massage therapy. Having carefully studied the dynamics and the impact of massage, they want to make massage a routine part of people’s lives rather than simply an irregular and often expensive ‘treat’.
“We want people to see massage as good value for money, so it can become a vital and routine part of a better and balanced quality of life,” says Walker.
Hence The Massage Company re-thought the way people should consume massage. Operating as a membership-based massage business, The Massage Company is committed to providing high-quality massage to the end-user. They offer four different types of massage and upgrades at a very reasonable and affordable price, which ensures complete rejuvenation of the body and soul. They’ve developed a Certified Training Programme for their staff so that their customers receive a consistent experience every time they walk into a TMC center. “For a member or first-time visitor our professional massage therapists ensure that the treatment delivered meets the customers’ needs,” shares Walker. To further support their purpose, the ambiance in the massage centers is purposefully kept calm and soothing. The treatment, customer service, infrastructure, facilities and convenient locations are all streamlined and focussed on providing the best customer experience. “We are bringing together really well-trained staff who can offer a consistent quality of massage, in a purpose-built center so customers can have a great massage in a great facility at accessible opening times all at an attainable price,” highlights Walker.
The Massage Company has a unique business model and is yet to see a direct competitor. “There are no specialist providers of massage in the UK and I believe with the team we have put together we can deliver a TMC Centre in every town and city in the UK and be a strong international player,” says Walker. Their target is a huge unexplored market between 5-star hotels, spas, and independent beauty salons. The market and demand are growing and The Massage Company has the procedures and policies in place so that customers receive the same high-quality experience every time.
Promoting growth and success
To become a franchisee of The Massage Company, one needs to be an out of the box thinker. As this is a non-food business the franchisee needs to break the typical stereotype and should have the boldness to explore new business avenues. They need to be self-disciplined and should display strong leadership and decision making skills. Once someone becomes a franchise partner, they are trained by experts on how to deal with the staff members and how to deal with every business challenge. To The Massage Company, franchise success matters a lot as a business is not just about investing money and reaping the profits, but is rather about helping each other succeed. It is a mutual relationship based on trust and goodwill. “Our common guiding principle is our ability to take our individual entrepreneurial spirit, our quest for success for our families and ourselves, and focus this on our existing proven business system,” emphasizes Walker.
The success of The Massage Company’s values and business model has been validated by the feedback of their franchise partners. Taran Bassi, their first franchise owner is one of those people. He shares the experience of owning a TMC franchise: “I have worked very closely with Elliot over the last 2 years, as the first The Massage Company franchisee – I cannot speak highly enough of the commitment and knowledge he has shared with me to make my business a success. There has been support throughout the process from the moment we first met and even now that my business is open and trading – Elliot is always available when I have needed him to discuss every aspect of the business and always providing excellent insight. I look forward to many successful years ahead.”
