ACM GRADUATE INTERVIEW - Lisa Wilson

22/04/2009

2006 ACM Graduate Lisa Wilson has created a beautiful clinic in the Adelaide hills and just genuinely loving life!

What first interested you about massage?

I received a massage from a fantastic therapist when I was in my early 20´s and experienced what I would consider absolute bliss! I was hooked from that point on and thought how amazing it would be to be able to have such a gift and make people feel healthier, less stressed and at peace.

How long have you been massaging?

Officially, with my ACM Diploma since Jan 2007. However I had been massaging friends and family for years prior to my official education, more intuitively and for relaxation purposes. My friends and family always told me that I was a natural at massage and that I should explore it further. They are the people who encouraged me into a career in Massage.

What do you enjoy most about massaging?

"In this job, you get positive responses from people who are always happy to see you and even happier and healthier when they leave."

The Knead Me clinic is a beautiful environment to work in! We have relaxing music, candles, amazing aromas from the essential oils and we even have a treatment room with its own fireplace crackling in the wall. Above all of these things I am also surrounded by genuinely happy people! WOW! It sounds like a dream job and for me it is.

What was your experience at ACM like?

It was fantastic. Our lecturer was very informative and entertaining at the same time. For me personally that made me remember a lot more than I normally would. Everyone from the administration staff through to the on-campus staff were really helpful and they still are if I need advice. The course covered everything you need to know and more, it was extremely professional. Also, being able to do the theory component by correspondence was great for me as I was working full time throughout my studies. I really looked forward to the on campus classes, they were very practical and I enjoyed both giving and receiving massage after massage, with a really great bunch of people.

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

"The Diploma course that I completed at ACM was very informative and absolutely up-to-date! Many components of the course touched on issues that regularly come up within the current massage industry."

My studies taught me how to be professional in all aspects of my career and in knowing how to manage certain situations. If ever I feel like I need a refresher, I just read through my subject manuals and notes! Also having a Lecturer who is actually working within the Massage Industry as well as educating me was a huge plus! I didn't just learn the textbook education - I was learning from a real life example and I really appreciated all of the extra experience based advice that was shared from a real-life Therapist.

What advice would you give aspiring massage therapists?

If it’s something you want to do, go for it! You can make great money and help people too. I think the main ingredient is genuinely caring about your clients. For me, that has been the key! At Knead Me, we add a few extra touches and our clients really appreciate the individuality. Also, believe in your dreams and the power and change that massage can bring to people.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

"Opening my first Massage Clinic Knead Me in the Adelaide Hills is definitely the highlight so far!"

The clinic was started from scratch. I didn't have a single client name on my clientele list to begin with! But as soon as the signage went up outside the clinic - it was an instant success. The only promotion I do is via my website http://www.knead.net.au/ and I now have two other therapists working in the clinic! I am happy to say that we are getting busier and busier all the time. The Massage Clinic isn't my first business as I have previously run my own businesses in the hospitality and event management Industry´s. From a business perspective the Knead Me clinic has been the easiest business that I have set up - It feels like a lot less effort than my previous businesses and it makes more money! The biggest highlight at Knead Me is meeting new people everyday and being told by clients: "Massage has changed my life!". This is pretty amazing and it makes me realise that this is the right career for me.