Quick update on my journey thus far. After recently quitting my job in software sales and being rejected by UberEats and DoorDash to drive my own car, I decided to lean back into my background as a licensed massage therapist to make ends meet.
Immediately after quitting my job, things were good. This isn't my first rodeo quitting without a bonafide "safety net"; i.e. 6 months of savings, a business profiting enough to pay me a market wage.
However, I knew things were going to get rough when my checking account balance went below $100 and I my girlfriend was back to covering a few meals here and there. It's a demoralizing feeling, but I'm also truly blessed to have the people I do in my life. My business is also making money, so that helps to keep my bills paid–even if just barely.
It's funny, my social media and account cover photo reads "Don't stay broke". It's more of a reminder to me than to the strangers online.
Anyway, as my bank balance dwindled, I knew my mindset would start to shrink right along with it. Money has a way of really F*cking with your serenity. I hit a depressive wall of lethargy and demotivation after a few solid weeks of balls to the wall work output to build my revamped massage therapy business, MuscleMuscle.
It could've been a combination of burnout, overwhelm, and money problems, but I don't care to linger in it or psychoanalyze myself much anymore.
And then, by the grace of God and the blessing of good ole hard work, I was liberated from my malaise while scrubbing my grime-covered shower with a small cleaning brush. I "embraced the suck" and got back into my groove. Partly due to the sub $40 checking balance and late rent, and partly due to me waking up to my reality: I'm living with my decisions and, despite the seemingly "negative" things in my life at this moment, I am truly blessed.
Unlike a lot of folks, I have many skills I can fall back on and a sterling track record of work ethic and acumen. For instance, when I quit my last job a couple months ago (a $45k/year office gig w/ a 10% sales commission), I knew I was looking struggle straight in the face. While in the parking lot waiting to have my exit interview with the CEO, I texted one of my old clients asking her what her budget for monthly massages would be. When I told her I was starting up again, she said her prayers had been answered. I was able to quell my worries about the income consequences of quitting my job in an instant with a single text, and put a couple hundred bucks in my pocket.
Now, a mere 48 hours after getting fully back into the groove and launching my reimagined massage business (using tips I learned from @MJ DeMarco in his books, of course), I've already got three massages booked, a partnership deal with a local restaurant finalized (unique value skew), and reinvigorated drive–and free lunches compliments of the restaurant GM (perfect timing!). While I'm not being truly monogamous to my primary business, my massage company keeps my bills paid while not stripping me of any agency over my time. I'm able to charge really whatever I want and help people while doing it.
If you're interested in checking out my massage business, you can visit my website here: MuscleMuscle
Pick it apart and tell me what you think. I'd love your feedback on my marketing and the different value skews I've leveraged so far. It's still early days, but I'm very grateful to be me.
To quote the wise Lil Wayne
Immediately after quitting my job, things were good. This isn't my first rodeo quitting without a bonafide "safety net"; i.e. 6 months of savings, a business profiting enough to pay me a market wage.
However, I knew things were going to get rough when my checking account balance went below $100 and I my girlfriend was back to covering a few meals here and there. It's a demoralizing feeling, but I'm also truly blessed to have the people I do in my life. My business is also making money, so that helps to keep my bills paid–even if just barely.
It's funny, my social media and account cover photo reads "Don't stay broke". It's more of a reminder to me than to the strangers online.
Anyway, as my bank balance dwindled, I knew my mindset would start to shrink right along with it. Money has a way of really F*cking with your serenity. I hit a depressive wall of lethargy and demotivation after a few solid weeks of balls to the wall work output to build my revamped massage therapy business, MuscleMuscle.
It could've been a combination of burnout, overwhelm, and money problems, but I don't care to linger in it or psychoanalyze myself much anymore.
And then, by the grace of God and the blessing of good ole hard work, I was liberated from my malaise while scrubbing my grime-covered shower with a small cleaning brush. I "embraced the suck" and got back into my groove. Partly due to the sub $40 checking balance and late rent, and partly due to me waking up to my reality: I'm living with my decisions and, despite the seemingly "negative" things in my life at this moment, I am truly blessed.
Unlike a lot of folks, I have many skills I can fall back on and a sterling track record of work ethic and acumen. For instance, when I quit my last job a couple months ago (a $45k/year office gig w/ a 10% sales commission), I knew I was looking struggle straight in the face. While in the parking lot waiting to have my exit interview with the CEO, I texted one of my old clients asking her what her budget for monthly massages would be. When I told her I was starting up again, she said her prayers had been answered. I was able to quell my worries about the income consequences of quitting my job in an instant with a single text, and put a couple hundred bucks in my pocket.
Now, a mere 48 hours after getting fully back into the groove and launching my reimagined massage business (using tips I learned from @MJ DeMarco in his books, of course), I've already got three massages booked, a partnership deal with a local restaurant finalized (unique value skew), and reinvigorated drive–and free lunches compliments of the restaurant GM (perfect timing!). While I'm not being truly monogamous to my primary business, my massage company keeps my bills paid while not stripping me of any agency over my time. I'm able to charge really whatever I want and help people while doing it.
If you're interested in checking out my massage business, you can visit my website here: MuscleMuscle
Pick it apart and tell me what you think. I'd love your feedback on my marketing and the different value skews I've leveraged so far. It's still early days, but I'm very grateful to be me.
To quote the wise Lil Wayne
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