How do I see how much a massage clinic depends on its busiest therapist?

The numbers are the starting point. Ask the owner for a breakdown by therapist, covering sessions, hours and income. Compare the busiest person with the others. If there is a big gap, ask why. It may be skill, reputation, availability or simple seniority.

Then find out what holds clients to that therapist. Do they book through the front desk or directly with the person? Does the therapist keep their own client notes, or does the clinic? A therapist who handles bookings on a personal phone is much easier to lose, with their clients, than one who works through the clinic’s system.

Talk about the future. If the seller allows it, ask the therapist how they see their own plans. Would they stay on, and what would make that more likely? Think about retention terms, shared bookings and training others, and ask your lawyer what can be written into the deal. Look also at how other therapists could build their own books if the busiest one left. Look at the calendar for the weeks that therapist was away. If bookings fell sharply, you have seen the dependence for yourself, and that is often more convincing than any report. Ask the owner what has been done to build up the other therapists’ schedules.

Key takeaways

• Compare income and sessions by therapist.
• Check whether clients book through the clinic or through the person.
• Ask the therapist about their own plans before you decide.