Every year, camexpo welcomes thousands of talented CAM practitioners and therapists from all across the UK. With the 2015 show now just nine weekends away, we thought it was the perfect time to reveal the first in our new series of visitor Q&As.

We asked some of our visitors to tell us more about themselves and here’s what Anne-Marie Rose, a holistic and reflexology massage therapist from Bath, had to say.

Full name: Anne-Marie Rose
Job title: Complementary Therapist (Holistic Massage & Reflexology) and founder of Rose Holistic Treatments
Company: Rose Holistic Treatments
Town: Bath

Tell us a bit about your background and what led you into complementary medicine?

I’ve been qualified in complementary therapy since 2004, where I first trained in Bath. Having experienced the benefits of massage myself, and how it dramatically helps with relaxation and shoulder/neck tension, I decided to do further training in this area. Firstly in Indian head massage followed by a diploma in reflexology and then a course in deep tissue massage.

I strongly believe that taking the time to focus on our wellbeing is the key to a happier and healthier lifestyle. I wanted to make a difference to people’s lives and offer the space to have a relaxing massage or reflexology treatment to switch off from the day to day pressures of modern life, so I decided to start Rose Holistic Treatments. Everything I have set up for the business has been done with the client in mind. I have a particular interest in holistic therapies in relation to stress, and wish to manage this as best as possible.

What do you love most about your work?

I really enjoy meeting my clients and being able to help them relax, particularly if they are going through a difficult time. It’s a real compliment to speak with the client after the session and find out that they are feeling much better after a treatment. It’s also wonderful to receive a referral from an existing client simply because they have enjoyed their session so much.

Through the course of my work I have met lots of other complementary therapists or professionals in their field, all of whom have offered advice and support and encouragement along the way. I love to inspire other people to train and have a career in complementary therapy, so that they can also make a difference in their local community.

What’s your most memorable work moment?

A client came to me and was so impressed with her massage session that she booked a treatment for a family member before she had even left the building. Her subsequent review was very complimentary: “Just had the most wonderful relaxing full body massage this morning, so good it compared to three years ago when I visited the Maldives, and I thought you couldn’t get any better than that. The consultation was very thorough and professional, making me feel at ease, and the treatment room had a very relaxing and welcoming feel to it. Thank you Anne-Marie, I will be trying the reflexology next!”

What’s the single biggest challenge in your work?

It can be challenging at first starting up a business and making people aware of how holistic therapies may be of benefit to them.

What tips and advice would you give someone who is just starting their career in health care/complementary medicine?

• Start with a goal in mind but be flexible if this goal should change as the business progresses.
• Learn how to make the most of social media and blogging.
• Work out how to do accounts and everything else associated with becoming self-employed, but don’t be afraid to ask for help when it is needed either from other practising therapists or paid professionals.
• Keep going even when times are hard and meet as many people as possible – you never know who you may meet along the way!
• Attending lots of support groups for therapists in order to discuss any issues that may arise, has also been great help.

What was your key highlight/takeaway from camexpo 2014?

It was wonderful to speak to the exhibitor of the Songbird Massage Wax range and discover their new products on the market - I particularly liked their reflexology wax.

What are you most looking forward to about camexpo 2015?

I’m looking forward to seeing the taster workshop ‘Scalp Massage – relaxing the head to calm the mind’, with Annalisa Zisman. It’s a practical hands on workshop where I can learn how to blend powerful scalp massage techniques with guided visualisation to unwind physical tension and calm ‘busy’ minds - it sounds very interesting!

To book an entry ticket, please visit www.camexpo.co.uk/register-to-visit-camexpo-2015. Use priority code CMXP580 to register for £7.50 before 25 September. Entry to the Keynote Theatre, Nutrition Theatre, Demo Theatre and Business Clinic, is included with all tickets (space permitting).

The views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of the event organisers.