No Tipping Necessary: Why I Stopped Accepting Gratuities
Tipping has been part of the massage industry for a long time, but at Body and Sole, I’m challenging the status quo. The price you see is the price you pay, no extra tipping necessary.
Here’s why:
I charge what I need to make to sustain my practice.
I know my numbers, and my prices are a reflection of what it costs to run my business and pay myself fairly (not based on what other therapists around me charge). I’m a solo practitioner and work for myself: I don’t have an employer taking a cut of my earnings, so there’s no reason for me to rely on tips.
Predictable pricing for my clients, predictable income for me.
No guessing involved and no awkward “flipping the screen” at checkout. Everybody pays the same, flat, all-inclusive rate. Life is expensive enough these days, and the pressure to leave a tip seems to be everywhere you go. That’s not something that I value being a part of my clients’ experience. I can make better business decisions when I know exactly how much money I’m going to receive for my services, too. It’s a win-win for both parties!
Massage. Is. Healthcare.
You don’t tip your doctor, dentist, chiropractor or PT, why should massage be any different? Massage is a powerful tool for managing pain, reducing stress, and improving mobility. It’s not a luxury, it’s part of your wellness plan.
Still want to leave some cash?
If you absolutely insist on a tip, I will graciously accept and put it to good use: extra gratuities go towards my ability to offer sliding-scale rates to clients with less financial resources.
The BEST tip is always a Google review, referral, or a re-booking!
Seriously, those actions have a much greater positive financial impact on my business than a few extra bucks do! It’s the best way to express your appreciation and support my small business.
(you can leave me a review here!)
Call me nonconformist, but I hope I can be one of the trailblazers when it comes to elevating the value of massage in the healthcare industry, setting a new standard for independent therapists and small business owners, and moving away from the fatigue of tipping culture.
