Getting Hands On With Jim
This week’s Business Spotlight gets ‘hands on’ with Hands On Massage Therapies, which specialises in massage therapies to promote healing for clients within both the general population & specialised groups such as cancer sufferers and competing athletes.
Currently a part-time Chemistry teacher, Jim Scanlan is the man behind this business, which has been operating since early Summer 2013. Aside from teaching, Jim has built an impressive sports CV, holding positions as both the Secretary and Director of Coaching for Triathlon Scotland in his time. Jim has also been involved with the Perth Masters Swim Club, and Perth Triathlon Club. He has worked alongside elite athletes, and the National High Performance Coach in Scotland. Jim himself is no stranger to the performance side of sport, being a 9 time Ironman finisher, participating in Australia, Austria, and the UK, as well as completing numerous middle distance triathlons. If you are not familiar with Ironman , as well as being an charismatic superhero, Ironan is a long distance Triathlon. It consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a marathon distance run of 26.2 miles.
It was during Jim’s time as a sporting competitor that he learned to appreciate the benefits of sports massage therapy, and undertook his first massage qualification at Scottish Massage Schools in Perth. Jim’s professional training hasn’t ended there. He continues to add to his experience by undertaking workshops such as Human Dissection at the University of St. Andrews, and becoming a massage therapist with Western School, Glasgow. Jim holds a full Disclosure Scotland certification covering his work with vulnerable groups. You might be starting to paint a picture of Jim, as not your regular massage therapist. He is also specially trained to massage people living with cancer of all types and stages, already lending his services to the Maggie’s Centre at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. His registration with the IRIS Cancer partnership was recently received this month, certifying these skills. His services also extend to The Butterfly Trust on a voluntary basis, massaging people with Cystic Fibrosis. Indeed, Jim has a big passion for using his skills to help people with chronic conditions and chronic pain on a voluntary basis, and giving something back.
Aside from Jim’s philanthropic contributions, the sports massage segment of his business has seen great demand too. Recent sporting events he has supplied his massage skills to participants are Etape Caledonia Cycle, the Pink Ribbon Walk in Scone, Edinburgh Marathon, Edinburgh 7’s Multi-Sports Festival, the Rob-Roy Challenge duathlon, and the Killin 10K.
Since the start-up of his business, Jim provided regular massage therapy for a range of clients including the first female veteran at this years Scottish Middle Distance Triathlon Championships; Ironman triathletes; ultra-marathon runners (West Highland Way finisher & Sri Chimony 24 Hour Race, London) alongside cancer patients, those living with chronic pain or conditions & members of the general public seeking relaxation.
Jim made the decision at the outset to operate as a Sole Trader as he thought this would provide flexibility, Jim has the ability to call in help when needed. with the help of Business Gateway.
Jim is grateful for the support of Business Gateway who have helped him get his business up and running very quickly:
“I have found the support & advice from my Business Advisor, Andrew Webster, at Business Gateway, Perth, invaluable. Also, the series of workshops I have attended, run by various Business Gateway staff, have been outstanding in their content and relevant information”.
As well as continuing to provide his massage services, Jim mentions other developments he has in the pipeline for the future:
“I plan on using my almost two decades of experience as a teacher of Chemistry and Physics to expand into teaching anatomy and physiology, or massage therapy as well as continuing to provide my services at sporting events, working alongside race organisers.” 
On a closing note however, sometimes Jim’s services can have an interesting impact on trophy presentations. Following an empty space on the podium and lots of confused, turning heads a female winner of The Scottish Middle Distance Triathlon Championships said: “Well I can honestly say that the massage was well worth missing my moment of glory”.
Hands On Massage Therapies:
07719 775 908.
jascanlan101@googlemail.com
If you are thinking about making the change to follow your ambitions in owning your own business, we can help. Just give us a call:
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