Climbing the Career Ladder

Tiffany Richards, 26, is the owner of The Back Rub Company, a firm that provides workplace wellness services including massage, yoga, breathing and relaxation techniques, Tai Chi and Qi Gong (healing exercises). She charges $1 per minute with a two-hour minimum.

“We call our services productive downtime.”

Working with a staff of 10 independently contracted massage therapists, Richards visits car dealerships, realty firms, law firms and other businesses to deliver on-site services. Recently, Richards provided chair massage services for 200 employees at a car dealership.

“These were salespeople who were being rewarded for exceptional performance during the month.”

Education: Richards has an associate degree from Phoenix College and is working towards a bachelors’ degree in mass communication at Arizona State University. She holds a certificate in holistic healthcare and therapeutic massage from Southwest Institute of Healing Arts in Tempe.

Starting Point: “When I moved to the valley in 1996, I knew I wanted to do something in the field of holistic medicine. After I graduated from SWIHA in 1998, I opened my own practice in Phoenix. I had only a handful of customers and was doing it all myself.” Through word-of-mouth advertising, she began working with athletes who wanted an adjunct to exercise programs. “Some of my clients wanted me to visit them at work, and that gave me the idea to expand into workplace wellness.” In 2001, she turned her focus to the needs of employers.

She Says: “Establishing and running a business include a lot of following up. I send thank-you cards to clients, and I use the telephone every day to call my customers and see how they are doing. I also have a well-qualified staff of professionals that I depend on.”

Big Break: A friend who lived in Los Angeles referred Richards to Cirque du Soleil, a traveling theatrical company. “They were looking for a massage therapist to accompany them on tour.” Richards “closed up” her business in 2002 and left for a six-month U.S. tour. “The circus had physiotherapists and acupuncturists as well as other healthcare providers, so I was able to expand my knowledge of alternative healthcare techniques.” Richards returned to the Valley in June 2003 and reopened her practice as The Back Rub Company. She implemented procedures she had learned while touring and hired a marketing professional to help her design a logo, brochure and other materials.

Aspiring Advice: “I establish relationships with my clients. After the visit, I follow up and ask if there are any other services I can provide. It’s important to provide information to clients that help them in their search for wellness. I read everything I can get my hands on about healthcare services. I send copies of article to my clients.”