Michelle Kyle Jones PRM
Michelle runs MJK Reflexology, an independent reflexology business in Sutton, Surrey and is one of our first PR members and graduates of level 5 reflexology. We ask what her why she became a reflexologist and what’s made her a successful reflexology practitioner.
Why did you choose to become a reflexologist?
In my late 30’s my biological clock was ticking, we’d been trying to conceive for over 10 years, it just wasn’t happening and we had all but given up trying until a friend at work suggested I give reflexology a go. I remember telling her she was crazy if she thought someone could rub my feet to get me pregnant, it was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard, but something was just nudging me to have a session, nothing to lose right?
After 3 monthly sessions I fell pregnant, I could not believe my eyes, and not only that, 3 months after he was born I found out I was pregnant AGAIN! Needless to say, I gave reflexology a wide birth for a while, (excuse the pun), although not for too long. I was convinced this weird and wonderful therapy was the reason I had two beautiful boys, I could not ignore the fact that there is so much we don’t know about our bodies.
When it was time to go back to work I couldn’t shake the reflexology phenomena. I will never forget the look my reflexologist face when I’d I told her I was pregnant. I wanted to be my reflexologist, making people better, helping someone to conceive and seeing the look on their faces, what a fantastic career to have. This therapy changed the very person I was, my outlook on life and my ability to actually change, to be something I have always wanted to be….. happy. After years of not knowing what I wanted to be, my career path was chosen and the decision was made there and then and there was no going back this time. I quit my job and started looking for Reflexology courses.
Finding the right course.
I wanted to qualify quickly, get set up and rolling, I had a 2 and 3-year-old to think about so quickly is better, need to start earning now. After weeks of trawling through websites and speaking with dozens of teachers, I was confused. I could qualify in 2 days or 10 months of training and both were adequate to become a member of a very reputable membership. I couldn’t understand why some courses were cheap and quick and others long and expensive? I didn’t have much faith at this point and had all but given up until I came across Reflexology Academy London. I spoke with Hagar Basis and things were put into perspective, it all made sense. I also liked the fact that I was becoming part of something new and the level 5 course was justified and clearly much more intense than others I had research. I was immediately convinced this was the course for me and I paid on the dot.
What would you say is your biggest success story?
I have to say I am very proud of my own success and journey to happiness. I have suffered from very low self-esteem and depression my whole life, although if you ever met me or read my posts you would never have thought so. Since becoming a reflexologist I feel for the very first time I can shout from the rooftops that I am good at what I do, this is it, my perfect work-life balance. The most important realisation is that it’s ok to be me, no masks, no pretence, just me.
On a client basis; I can finally see the faces of women who tell me they’re pregnant the joy I feel is all that I have ever wanted from life, to be part of something so very special.
What would you put this success down to?
First and foremost my training, clients who have come to me often comment on how different my technique is and the results they have are much more significant than other reflexologists they have visited.
Secondly, my business set up– I was in a position to advertise and promote my business the day I qualified, which helped bring business in almost immediately.
Thirdly – go out of your comfort zone, we all have to start somewhere. I started with one page on my website and now I have 30. Keep researching and make google your best friend.
What advice would you give someone starting out?
There is so much to think about when you’re setting up a business. I have failed miserably when I qualified as a surveyor but I’ve also learned a lot from that failure. I think that’s what gave me a head start with my Reflexology business.
I’m often asked, “How do you get clients”? “How do you keep them”? “What can I do to improve”? The answer is not an easy or a straightforward one and due to the number of queries received I have decided to create a Business Set Up Guide/Program to include things such as Social Media Platforms, Website Development, Google Business, Maps, Income and Expenses forms and much much more. I’ve recently put this idea to PR members and the response was outstanding and I have been inundated with queries.
This process is enormous and is at the development stage, however in the meantime to answer a lot of your questions I have put together an article which details 5 of the most important things to think about when setting up and how to do each. I have also created a PR Business Support Group through my website so that you can ask me anything. This is currently a FREE service. To access the support page please click here (link is as follows)
Website: https://www.mkjreflexology.co.uk/reflexologists.html
Email: michelle@mkjreflexology.co.uk
Facebook: https://facebook.com/mkjreflexology
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkjreflexology