Lisa Keplinger

Lisa Keplinger graduated from the Salt Lake City campus of the Utah College of Massage Therapy Family of Schools in August of 2000. Since graduating, Lisa started her own practice, M’m M’m Massage which she began only two short months after her classes ended. After having run a successful private practice for over a year, Lisa has decided to move on to try her hand at a resort spa. She recently sent the Corporate Career Services office the following letter:

"It’s been a long, fun year and a half. I graduated in August 2000 with a 4.0 [GPA.] One would think that would be all it would take to be successful, but that is not the case. I spent the 5 weeks after graduation (until my son was born) learning all there was about running a successful business: books on promotion, networking, people management and learning the paperwork necessary for operating a smooth business.

"After a difficult birth and 4 weeks recovery time, I began the journey into private practice.

"I started my practice on October 17, 2000. Everything was perfect… or so I thought. All the books on business never prepared me for the wait between opening my doors to clients and the 10 days it took to actually getting one. At times it was almost unbearable.

"I introduced myself to as many people as I could, I did as many promotions as I could and I got my name out there as much as possible. I made alliances with local hotels, the Women’s Business Center, the UCMT Career Services [office] as well as other therapists that I could refer to and could refer to me.

"The things that have been difficult for met at one time or another are: overcoming plateaus, not being too hard on myself when goals weren’t met, staying focused when things weren’t always perfect and being afraid of the success that comes with hard work.

"The things that have made me successful in [my] private practice: I let my clients know that I care, I send thank you and birthday cards, I give discounts for those who can’t afford it – I don’t make it about the money, I always remain flexible, I follow up, I return phone calls the same day, I’m responsible, reliable, honest, patient, enthusiastic about the client and the work, and I’m on time.

"I know my strengths and capitalize on them and I constantly try to improve upon my weaknesses. ‘Adapt, improvise and overcome,’ that’s the Keplinger motto. The best thing I ever did is treat my profession as a business. Now it’s time to move on to new experiences at a resort. For all those that have been there to help me along the way… I thank you so much. I couldn’t have done it without you.

The one piece of advice I have to give: Never give up and reach for the stars."