ACM GRADUATE INTERVIEW - Dalene Stuart

23/11/2009

For the first time in her life, as a successful massage business owner, Dalene wakes up every day wanting to go to work!

What first interested you about Massage?

Six years ago I took up employment as a receptionist at Flesh Therapy in my hometown Devonport Tasmania. I also completed qualifications in retail training alongside my job. Three years into the job a friendship with a Remedial Massage Therapist working in the clinic Leanne Laycock turned into a business partnership and we decided to buy the business off our boss.

"After seeing the great results Leanne was getting with her clients from remedial massage treatments I felt the urge to undertake ACM’s Diploma training for myself."

I have since completed my Certificate IV and am currently undertaking the Diploma studies.

How long have you been massaging?

I have been massaging for 1 year.

What do you enjoy most about massaging?

The people! I love the people who I come into contact with everyday. I love the enjoyment and immediate satisfaction that massage can bring to people.

"I especially love performing pregnancy massage and looking after pregnant clients."

The fact that I have created a relaxed environment for clients to come in and de-stress is also enjoyable.

What was your experience at ACM like?

I completed my Certificate IV with ACM by distance education. I had absolutely no dramas as far as completing the course was concerned. I was very happy with the course materials that were presented to me and the format the course was structured in. I really enjoyed completing my online assessments and loved the fact that every time I completed an assessment I received my result instantly. It was very gratifying. I also have the team at Flesh Therapy to thank as they supported me throughout my training as well.

How have your studies at ACM assisted preparing you for working in the massage industry?

I was already working in the industry as a clinic owner. However, as a therapist the training definitely prepared me for treating clients in a professional manner. I had already been exposed to ACM’s high professional standards from observing Leanne and our staff when they were treating clients. As all of the staff at Flesh Therapy are ACM graduates.

Many parts of the course were quite familiar to me as I had already had a little bit of prior knowledge. I do believe the course helped me to brush up on many things and I also discovered extra tips in subjects for our business along the way as well.

What advice would you give aspiring massage therapists?

Complete the course! Because there is plenty of work available!

"As everyday lives are becoming more stressful many people are turning to natural therapies. Our clinic is really busy and our therapists are always in strong demand."

Also there are many people who have never received a massage before, we are constantly surprised at how many people walk through the clinic doors for their first ever treatment.

There are many people needing massage and those numbers will only increase as the average hours in a working day increase and stress levels rise.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

For the first time in my life I wake up every day wanting to go to work!

The first time this occurred was six years ago when I entered the massage industry as a receptionist. Now that I am a business owner and therapist as well, I feel like I have truly accomplished many things in the past few years alongside looking after my family and three children. If you told me ten years ago that I was going to be a business owner I would have asked you what you are talking about! The massage industry has just been so positive to be involved in and I am so happy that I have had my own journey within it!

Another aspect of my highlight is the people I am in contact with every day, from the people I treat to the people I work with at Flesh Therapy, my business partner Leanne and all the staff are just wonderful operators and genuinely caring and fun people to work with and be in company with every day! We have a great team and I’m proud to be a part of it.

Link: Flesh Therapy - Devonport Tasmania