In the aftermath of vocational schools churning out thousands of unemployable and unlicensable students and franchises cutting prices and wages rates, the massage therapy profession is a mess. The Healing Arts Center, however, feels that it is ripe for disruption. Perhaps you have heard that the Healing Arts Center is going through a very deliberate transformational process. As CEO and Headmaster I found myself wanting to clue you in on the exciting activities afoot! Of course, we all know change is inevitable. Sometimes it is said that life is change. If you have attended classes at HAC you have been coached to embrace the idea that being willing to learn and willing to change is essential. Looking back at the history of the school, as it approaches its silver anniversary, I see that it has changed in almost every way. Some of the changes happened organically, life flowing along, and we following as best we could. Sometimes paddling to keep up, sometimes gliding with an easy current. We could say some of this happened unconsciously, or guided by the subconscious mind, and following our hearts.Other changes happened as we consciously mapped out possibilities, used critical and logical thinking, planned and implemented strategies, etc. We did our best in the moment with all the resources we had. Wonderful people have contributed and all those efforts are appreciated and bring us to the present.
In either event, life happened, we're still here, we made mistakes, had successes, and most importantly we helped lots and lots of people to help lots and lots of people! And we have learned from our mistakes and we are committed to not repeating them if we can. While that was in the microcosm, the macrocosm comprised of the massage therapy industry has also experienced massive changes. Massage schools, mostly privately owned by healers and based in the grassroots community and culture that aspired to be of service, were gobbled up by or pushed to extinction by vocational schools. And, corporate massage franchises have effectively mainstreamed massage therapy for the masses but at the same time have driven the price of massage and the wages for therapists to all time unacceptable lows. In their pursuit of massage for everyone, they have somewhat tarnished the picture of what massage therapy as a profession looks like to prospective students desiring to enter the field. Consequently, we have reached a time where new creative management strategies and their implementation are sorely needed to move forward as a school, healing center, and community thought leader. The industry itself is up against critical problems that have left even the big corporate players without a clue as to "what just happened?" The combination of certificate “mill” vocational schools with astronomical license failure rates and massage franchises trying to compete for the lowest price points in the market have created a market paradox that is devastating massage therapy nationally. Students are not being drawn to the profession because of perceived low wages and an ocean of unlicensed massage school graduates who were not educated well enough to pass state exams. Meanwhile, every spa, salon and franchise massage provider cannot get anywhere near the labor they need to serve and exploding demand for massage services that they created with lower price points. It is a mess. Enter David Kenyon, newly appointed President of the Healing Arts Center! In one dynamic, creative, experienced and caring individual you will see answers to what ails us! As an "outsider" within short order he saw what was going on in both the micro and macrocosm. With his sharp intellect he began seeing opportunities for resolution. His business expertise and experience as an attorney have landed like a lightning strike or thunderbolt! He has the largest corporate massage therapy entities hanging on his every word. He has brought the core staff at HAC, with some new faces, to a new heightened level of functionality! He has addressed the student body and enrolled them in ways that have already had massive impact for their success! He is moving swiftly and with precision! This could not have happened at a better time, and thankfully before it was too late! We can still salvage and repair and remodel all that we have all worked so hard for all these years. The best part is that I trust Dave Kenyon explicitly, having been his friend for as long as I have owned the school. There is new hope and opportunities on the horizon for this industry that we love so much! Stay with us, or join with us, as we collectively realign our power to significantly relieve suffering and bring healing and happiness to our families, our clients, our profession, and our world. |
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