MOB Spotlight - Melissa Rinne, LMT

Melissa Rinne, a Newburg massage therapist, got her license in 2012 after deciding she didn’t want to sit in a cubicle for the rest of her life and instead wanted to make a difference in people's lives.  Although she has a background working in spas and chiropractic office settings, she prefers to specialize in therapeutic massage and injury recovery.

Melissa has a busy home life with a daughter, two step-sons, and is expecting a baby in early spring 2019. She also has a retired racing greyhound who follows her every move. She says owning her own practice gives her the freedom to attend sporting events and other important things with her kids. “I once missed every basketball and football game that the kids had on Saturdays for one season and vowed never to let that happen again.”

She loves the flexibility and sense of accomplishment that comes from working for herself.

“I never in my wildest dreams imagined that someday I would have my own business. But here I am, rocking it! I love that I can help my clients the way I feel is best. I love that I can chaperone a field trip without having to ask a boss for permission. I love that I can see my year end numbers and know that the income I have earned is all because of my own hard work and success,” she says.

Melissa says she considers fellow MOB, Andrea Montera, a big infuence in how she has shaped her business. “I really admire how hard she has worked to build her practice,” explains Melissa.

She says her biggest struggle in her business is marketing and keeping her schedule full. “I get most of my clients through referrals, but I still have those weeks here and there that are a little slower than I'd like. I get into a slump where I don’t really know where to start getting out there and marketing,” she says.

If she could give advice to her younger self, she’d say to branch out on her own earlier. “While I did gain some valuable experience and insight working for others, I sometimes think back and wish I would have started on my own a whole lot earlier than I did.”

Melissa says she would advise new business owners to make sure they have everything set up correctly in the beginning. “Set aside your quarterly taxes and pay them on time. Find a CPA that can answer all the questions that you'll come up with and can point you in the right direction. Connections and networking are huge.”

Her ideal referral is someone who recognizes how important regular massage is to their health and happiness. Someone who is willing to commit to coming in for a massage once a month at minimum.

She says the MOB has given her confidence in being a business owner. “I've had some good referrals from the MOB, but that's not the main reason I stay in the MOB. The MOB has given me more confidence in being a business owner. When I joined the MOB, I often would feel that I'm in over my head and had no business being a business owner. The ladies in the MOB have shown me that I do know what I'm doing, and everyone feels like they're drowning every now and then. I've gotten some excellent help and advice from my fellow MOBsters along with moral support. I think it has helped make me a better LMT and business owner,” says Melissa. 

She says her favorite MOB Alliance benefit is the community aspect. “Discounts are always great, but I think the tighter knit camaraderie of the Alliance group has been the biggest benefit to me. It has been my go to for help and advice, sometimes just to vent a little and not feel alone in this crazy world of entrepreneurship.”

Melissa offers MOB Alliance members 15% off massages.
 
Connect with Melissa online at:

www.facebook.com/massagebymelissar
www.melissarinnelmt.com