Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan O’Connor
Hi Megan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The story of my career began when I was 18, two days after my high school graduation. I moved to LA from Montana with no car, no cell phone, and no contacts to start an interior design program. After six months I found out the school lost their accreditation at the LA campus and was a dead end. I worked at Expo Design selling faucets and bathroom fixtures for 6 months to get my CA residency in order to attend Santa Monica College. Once there, I switched my major to psychology. I finished out my bachelors at UC Berkeley and moved back to LA to work for a family office as a bookkeeper.
In 2009, I was let go due to budget cuts and seized the opportunity to switch careers to something I found more meaningful and fitting to my personality and goals. I landed at National Holistic Institute to get my massage therapy training in a year. This was where I really found my calling. Everything seemed to click in to place.
Since completing my training in 2010, I worked in various settings at spas, gyms, chiropractic office, hotels, tech companies, elite on-call services, and my own practice. Having my own practice was where I was the happiest. I had been building my client base since starting out as a massage therapist, but it wasn’t until 2020 that I completely branched out on my own. I have been so lucky to continue to watch my practice thrive and grow from there. My practice is ever changing as I continue to learn new techniques, improve, and adapt.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road by any means, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Facing the reality of losing my job in 2009 was my first big challenge. I felt very lost at the time losing health insurance, 401K plan, and financial security. I buckled down and learned a lot of valuable lessons, ways to save money, and what bills could be postponed for a few months. It was a blessing in disguise and really allowed me the opportunity to start over. I had wanted a career that was active, fulfilling, challenging, and involved helping others. I found all that in massage therapy.
This has been a challenging career but has been one that I love. My biggest challenge to date came in 2020. I was diagnosed with cancer at the end of 2019 and had all the difficulties that came with the pandemic to face. Up until March 2020, I was working as a contractor for a few companies as well as my own client appointments. When massage therapy work was shut down in CA I abided by the rules and also underwent my first surgery. That summer most companies were still non-operational. Things were unsettled and scary then so once regulations opened up a bit in the summer, I started working only outdoors, with as many precautions as possible. The only way I felt comfortable working in that environment was only working for myself, choosing whom I worked with, under carefully regulated conditions.
My experience in 2009 came into play because it felt like preparation for the major financial losses and expenses I faced in 2020. I knew what steps to take and took everything one step at a time. I continued to adapt, needing to take substantial time off for 3 more surgeries/ recovery, 2 more work shut-downs, and the death of my father. I could not be more grateful for the timing of everything happening when it did. I had the space and time I wouldn’t normally to adapt, refocus, and heal. From there, my business has continued to grow. I know there will be more challenges ahead, but I feel very well equipped to handle anything at this point.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I operate a mobile, in-home massage business in Santa Monica. I pride myself on building long lasting relationships with my clients where I get to know them and their families well, work with them on a regular basis, and make the most difference by consistently improving how they feel for the better. I specialize and am certified in prenatal massage so get I work with women before, during, and after their pregnancies. The age range of my clients is from 20 to 93. Everyone is different, even day to day, so each session is customized to the work that someone needs. My work is a combination that is both relaxing and therapeutic.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I wish I had known starting out how long it would take to build the practice and find the niche that best suited me. It also took a lot longer than expected to fully support myself financially solely with massage therapy. I would advise someone who is embarking on their career to be patient and keep/maintain a main source of income. Work in as many settings as possible, always be open to learning, and prioritize self-care.
Pricing:
- $165/hour
- $35 first time client fee
- $200/ 75 minute
- $235/ 90 minute
- $305/ 2 hours
Contact Info:
- Website: https://megancmt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megancmt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeganCMT
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/megan-o-connor-santa-monica
- Other: https://linktr.ee/meganoconnorinc
Image Credits
Photography by Jess Koehler
