With preparations well underway for camexpo 2016, we thought it was the perfect time to start another series of visitor Q&As. First up is with massage therapist Zuzana Krop from Inverness, who travels down from Scotland every year to the show! Here she talks about her most memorable work moment, and why CAM professionals should visit camexpo 2016.

Full name: Zuzana Krop
Job title: Massage Therapist & Business Development
Company: Delicate Touch Inverness Therapy & Massage Success
Town: Inverness

Tell us a bit about your background and what led you into massage therapy?

I have a background in marketing and management (something I still really enjoy doing in my spare time). I fell in love with massage in 2007 during my holidays in Dachstein, Austria. On returning to Scotland, an innocent search for massage schools in the area revealed that the Highland School of Massage would be running a diploma course starting the next week after. It was one of the fastest (and the most life changing) decisions to date.
Since 2008 I run very busy practice in Inverness and in 2015 I have started to run Massage Success – business development, marketing and social media courses tailored for bodyworkers.

What do you love most about your work?

Nothing feels better then seeing an improvement in your client’s health and wellbeing. No financial bonus in my previous work ever gave me such a job satisfaction.

What’s your most memorable work moment?

An elderly client who couldn’t walk properly due to an accident followed by muscle stiffness (and refusing NHS care) comes to mind. After a few months of regular (weekly/biweekly) massage and encouragement, he walked away with a stick. He is convinced a combination of my massage and relaxation techniques gave him a new lease of life.

What’s the single biggest challenge in your work?

Not to comment on client’s personal issues.

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

1. Spend less money and more time on marketing your business – nobody understands it better than you do.
2. Network, network, network - EVERYONE can do with some sort of massage treatment these days.
3. Have a long term plan and follow it – ignore short term temptations, it will soon work against you. Your work time is limited, your treatment is unique, make sure you incorporate it into your pricing!
4. Understand and efficiently promote your USP’s to your target clientele.
5. Never stop learning– there are many great schools and experienced therapists around ready to share their knowledge, and help you to grow your business.

How many years have you visited camexpo?

Since 2012. Every year I persuade at least one therapist to come with me. London is only an hour by plane (from Inverness) and camexpo is definitely worth it!

What was your key highlight/takeaway from camexpo 2015?

I have fallen in love with fascia and anatomy trains (Myofascial Release by Rachel Fairweather; Anatomy Trains & Functional Movement by James Earls; and Non-specific low back pain – how can myofascial release make a difference by Linda Curie) – I also loved a presentation by Medicinal Chef.

My favourite exhibitor in 2015 was definitely Simply Therapy – my clients love their heat pads, I now use prior to massage treatment.

Why would you recommend other practitioners to visit camexpo 2016?

Everything is under one roof, and the event caters for all CAM practitioners. Both beginners as well as experienced therapists can soak up a lot of useful information. camexpo offers new products, fantastic workshops, and great networking opportunities – can you afford to miss it? I can’t!

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If you visited camexpo and would like to take part in any future blog posts, please contact [email protected].

camexpo returns to Olympia, London, on 24-25 September 2016. To register your ticket, please visit www.camexpo.co.uk/register-to-visit-camexpo-2016.

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