Penny Anderson

Penny Anderson graduated from the Salt Lake Campus of the Utah College of Massage Therapy Family of Schools in October of 2001. Upon graduating, Penny began her own massage practice out of her home in West Jordan, Utah. Several months later, she was also offered a position at the State Line and Silver Smith Hotel and Casino Resort in Wendover, Nevada. Penny recently sent UCMT the following letter regarding her achievements:

"I graduated October 18, 2001 from the Professional Massage Therapy Program. I am 39 years old, a single mother of two (one of which lives with me.) I planned on doing a private practice once I was licensed.

"In the process of building my practice, I was home on when I got a call from the manager of the State Line and Silver Smith Hotel and Casino in Wendover, Nevada asking if I would be interested in driving out for an interview the next day. Well, when he told me what they were willing to offer me, I was on the road!!!

"The offer was this:

"A base salary rate of $8.00 an hour, a 70/30 split on all bodywork I perform. I make 70% [of the price.] Massage cost $60 or $70 depending on the [modality] requested. So for every massage I make either $42 or $49 plus tips!!

"[The manager] asked me if I would work full-time, but being from Salt Lake and not real interested in living in Wendover, he offered me part-time with the option to go full-time if I desired plus any holidays that fall on Monday and any extra time I desired to spend during summer and my child’s time off from school.

"So here’s what it is: I’ve been there 6 weeks. I work Fridays 5PM to 8PM, Saturdays 9AM to 8PM and Sundays 9AM to 5PM unless I have requests for later massages which I decide to take or not.

"My first weekend was the slowest, but I still made $215 only doing 2 massages. The month of February I performed 26 massages:

"Massages - $1,162
Tips - $215
Wages - $942
Total February - $2,319 gross

"I am showing you this because [I] want you to see exactly what is possible if you have the drive, desire and courage to make it through the program.

"I am very thankful and feel extremely fortunate that I am on my way to a very successful career and financial independence!!! Thanks UCMT for aiding my success!!"