Pricing changes and Politics, 2021

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In June of 2021 I’ll be celebrating my 10 year anniversary of being in business! My base prices for services of 30, 60, and 90 minute massage therapy sessions have not changed since 2012, and will each see an increase of 5 bucks beginning June 1st. I thought I’d do a blog post explaining some of reasons and circumstances that led to these changes.

INFLATION! We’re all seeing it as of May 2021. There are many reasons: our government’s foolish overreaction to covid, stimulus checks flooding the economy with economic repercussions that will effect YOUR children, being that I don’t have any, supply chain disruptions, and many others.

In the massage therapy world, just like every place else, the pandemic has created difficulty in getting products I use every day, like massage creme, oil, face covers, etc. When those items do become available, the price is increased, as those companies have difficulty finding workers, and have to pay them more when they do find them, and the cost of the products that go into massage cremes and oils has also gone up.

Our Flathead Valley is seeing “help wanted” signs everywhere. Why aren’t people willing to work? Fear of covid? Because they make more on unemployment than they do working? These same scenarios are present in the massage therapy product industry.

When I started my business in 2011 my base price for an hour session was $65 an hour, and went up to $75 in 2012 after I completed my ashiatsu training. Since then I’ve acquired many new skills including cupping, and kinesio taping, have added value to sessions with better equipment, and created a niche for myself locally with the deep tissue and sports massage camps. I’ve experienced a 20% increase in my rent every 2 years since 2016, and have now chosen the small 5 bucks pricing increase to supplement my income.

I hope 5 bucks isn’t a deal breaker! Cheers,

Johnny C.