Create a Colorful Resume

Check out this cool site where you can turn your resume into an online infographic: re.vu.

You can add any education, previous jobs, interests, skills, etc. and it creates a visual graphic of your story.  Choose from several different themes to match your resume to the kind of work you do.  (There are several that are zen-like, perfect for massage).  You can even upload a custom background.

I thought this could be a neat way to showcase your education and skills in massage. You could post your infographic resume to show clients your experience.  The site makes it easy to share on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google +.

Here's just a little example of what it looks like when filled out:
http://re.vu/bodyworkbuddy

Did you make your own infographic resume?  Post the link in the comments.  I'd love to see it!

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years, and has been an associate instructor for Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy since 2007.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com

What If You Couldn't Work Tomorrow?

So... I cut my thumb last week while working in the kitchen.  First thought? WORK!  How am I going to work!?

FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I only had to cancel the appts I had scheduled for that day... but it got me thinking about more serious injuries.  How would you handle your finances if you were to get hurt?  If you haven't thought about disability insurance, you may want to look into it.

Think about it: if you were to break a bone in your hand or arm, how would your business survive while you're on leave to heal?  Not only should you have disability insurance, but it's also a good idea to have an emergency fund set aside.

Most financial gurus suggest having 6 month's worth of living expenses saved in case of an emergency.  While this is no small task to save up - don't get discouraged if you aren't able to do this right now.  Start with a goal of saving up $1,000 for your emergency fund.  ($25/week will get you to your goal in less than a year). That in addition to disability insurance can make the difference between an emergency being an inconvenience or detrimental to your business and livelihood.

Most disability insurance plans don't kick in to affect until you've missed 7 days of work or more (depending on your plan).  So disability insurance wouldn't have helped in the case of my kitchen accident... but luckily I have a little emergency fund saved up, so missing a day or two of work wasn't difficult to recover from.

LIFE happens - so be prepared!
Do you have disability insurance or an emergency fund?  And if so, have you ever had to use it?

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years, and has been an associate instructor for Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy since 2007.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com

Hide Your Ugly Ceiling

Check out this awesome ceiling drapes aglow idea - what a great way to beautify your massage room!
Especially if you don't have a particularly pretty ceiling.  Remember, clients are laying on your table and looking directly up at your ceiling.

What a creative way to hide fluorescent lights, water stains, or other less-than-desirable ceiling issues.
Have you implemented this idea or something similar for your massage room?  I'd love to see some pictures!

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years, and has been an associate instructor for Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy since 2007.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com

10 Gift Ideas For the Massage Therapist In Your Life

If you're reading this blog, you're probably a massage therapist yourself.  So, this list is likely no surprise to you... but hey, maybe this list will make it's way into the viewing eyes of a loved one who needs some ideas. <wink, wink, nudge, nudge>
(easy ways to share this post in the right hand column.)

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

1. Massage / Spa magazines
2. Table warmer
3. Mother earth pillow
4. holster
5. Bolster
6. linens
7. Earthlite cream & oil sampler pack
8. essential oil sampler pack
9. candles
10. a MASSAGE!

What other items would be on your wish list?

*These are not affiliate links, these are just products I truly love!

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years, and has been an associate instructor for Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy since 2007.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com

Sheet Folding Trick

Great video from Massage Nerd and Massage Warehouse on how to fold a sheet set perfect for mobile therapists to take on the go!  Thanks to LizMarie for demonstrating for us.

I seem to be fitted-sheet-folding impaired... so I found this video extremely helpful and wanted to share.
Have you tried this, or do you have your own secrets for folding fitted sheets?  Or are you like me, and tend to avoid fitted sheets like the plague so you don't have to fold them? ;-)

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years, and has been an associate instructor for Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy since 2007.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com

5 Things I Didn't Do On Vacation

I took a little break from massage last week, made a road trip for a few days, and didn't do any of the following:

1. massage
2. schedule appts
3. wash linens
4. work on my website
5. Trim my nails

And it was fabulous!!!  You know you're a massage therapist when one of the highlights of vacation is about your fingernails, right?  ;-)

And now, bonus points to anyone who can guess what bridge this is - from my vacation:

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years, and has been an associate instructor for Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy since 2007.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com

Create Free Massage Brochures With ABMP

Are you a member of Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals? Did you know your membership includes an awesome ability to create beautiful brochures for your massage business?

After logging in to your account on ABMP.com, hover over the Marketing Center tab, then click Client Brochures (customized).  You can then add your own contact info in the lines provided, and upload your own logo.

There are 23 different types of brochures to choose from!  Everything from sports massage to maternity massage.

Once you choose the brochure type, click Generate.  You will then be presented with a link to click, which will download the brochure in a PDF onto your computer.

You can take this file in to your local print shop and have them professionally printed.  Or, you can even upload them to sites like Vista Print for printing.

To upload to Vista Print, save your PDF brochure in Adobe as a jpeg file.  This will create a file for each of the 2 pages of your brochure.  You can then upload the 2 pages separately to Vista Print.  (There will be a video tutorial on how to do this coming soon - so no worries if you need clarification).

Make your own brochure at www.abmp.com

Pretty awesome, right?  So easy, and it's a free benefit of your ABMP membership!
Have you made your own brochures with the ABMP generator?

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. 

She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years, and has been an associate instructor for Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy since 2007.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com