At the time I was living in Adelaide, studying fulltime to be a massage therapist, and I was a single parent of a 5-year-old son. I had been out of the workforce for 5 years to focus on parenting and I knew I didn’t want to go back to a job in marketing, so I decided to do a massage course, even though I still wasn’t sure what I was going to be doing once I finished the course.
One Saturday I was walking down the corridor at the college and the Director of the college, came out from a room and he was crouched down talking to a few students, so I went to see what was being said.
I actually don’t remember what the whole conversation was about what I do remember, so clearly, even now nearly 20 years later…..he said “Mobile Massage is a huge industry and no-one is doing it”.
The lightbulb moment
I was so excited, it was like a light bulb had gone off, it was as though I was the only person in the corridor and that message was meant just for me. On the following Monday, I registered Adelaide Mobile Massage and I launched my new career and my first business on the day that I graduated.
I was so inspired I was literally on fire. First I designed a massage specifically for people who sit at desks all day. I practiced it over and over with one of my fellow students, who also became one of my first colleagues and therapists in my business.
Next, I designed some business cards and a one-page flyer with the help of my younger cousin who was doing graphic design.
The Launch
Then the focus was on the launch, I decided to invite 200 companies, and that meant calling each one, finding out the best contact person and then sending them a personal invitation. I even followed up the invitations because I really wanted the room to be filled with people.
A friend of mine had a brother who had an alter ego, named Dr Gertrude Glossop and she was fabulous, she mixed with all the guests and everyone loved her. Best of all they remembered the event and Adelaide Mobile Massage was launched into life. I even had a spread on page 5 of the Advertiser newspaper.
My vision
My original vision was to have other therapists doing the massages, and I would be running the business, but of course, in the beginning, I had to do both. I was exhausted but I was available to take my son to school and pick him up and adjust my working life around his needs as that was important to me.
I had gone through a horrible and difficult separation with the father of my son, when he was just 13 months old, I had been on the single mothers pension (that’s what it was called back then) and I used to drive my Mum’s old car, which I fondly named “The bag of bolts” when I started my business.
Achieving success
After 4 months of being in business, I had a brand-new car, after 4 years I bought my first house and after 8 years I sold the business for more than $140,000. All from the inspiration, I received in the corridor that day.
My business gave me so much. I was so grateful, and still am grateful that I made the decision to start my own business.
Adelaide Mobile Massage is a thriving business today and I went on to create my next business, Massage2u doing pretty much the same as Adelaide Mobile Massage (except for the home service) on a national basis.
Love, Grace, and Gratitude
Donna x