Question time - Previous Beauty Therapists

Rebecca, Sophie L and Sophie M have worked with Massage Beach  in Ibiza. They have each kindly given their time to answer  some questions on the job and Ibiza. These  answers will hopefully help build a picture of the job, what its like working abroad and Ibiza itself.

Rebecca:

Massage beach is a great opportunity for beauty therapists wanting to travel/work abroad, it's given me the confidence not only to travel on my own, but also arranging accommodation and working with lots of different languages every day!

Sophie L:

I was recommended by someone I had met only once, she said it was the best job she’s ever had and I applied straight away and never looked back. It was destiny I’ve never seen the girl since. 

Sophie M:

I chose to apply for Massage Beach because I wanted the experience of working and living abroad and I felt that this would be a good opportunity. 

Rebecca:

Providing your basic Level 2 and 3 qualifications are essential to the role as well as your therapist's insurance if you are wanting to work as a self-employed therapist, I chose Balens for this and got a great deal.

Sophie L:

I’m not great with paperwork, but I do remember that it wasn’t too complicated.

Sophie M:

My beauty therapy qualifications. 

Rebecca:

Definitely working outdoors in the sun, all my aches and pains and even fatigue usually experienced on work mornings in the UK seemed to disappear. I truly can only thank the heat for this! It’s totally a different lifestyle working in the sun!

Sophie L:

There are lots of benefits working with Massage Beach, unlimited 50% off treatments, 50% off treatments in the spa including use of spa facilities. Working in the sunshine, requesting which days to have off. Great tips too.

Sophie M:

I made friends for life through Massage Beach and got to do the job I love, on an island I now call my second home. 

Rebecca:

Working for the company will challenge you for the better, for example, communicating with people who speak a different language.

Sophie L:

Of course, like in most jobs and life, in general, you will be faced with challenges, but I can honestly say all the positives out way the very few negatives there may be. 

Sophie M:

The biggest challenge for me was pr’ing, but it’s something I got used to quickly and by the end of the season I didn’t think twice about it. 

Sophie L:

After my first season I was asked to become a core member of the company and to help manage the business. This was great experience and 7 years later I’m still doing it. 

Sophie M:

The most positive experiences that stand out for me was breaking company treatment records. I’m competitive within myself and once I had broken one, it showed me that I had gained a lot of confidence whilst working with the company. It pushed me to want to break them over and over again.  

Sophie L:

Working for massage beach has helped me realise that I love variety in my life, I love being outdoors in nature and meeting new people. It’s given me confidence on how to manage people and to manage myself and how to run a business. 

Sophie M:

It improved my confidence a lot and definitely took me out of my comfort zone. 

 Sophie L:

I received lots of training and if there’s anything you need help with then massage beach are very proactive in getting things done.

Rebecca:

Accommodation in Ibiza is important and vital as it will determine the hotels in which you will work regularly and where you become familiar with. Reaching out to other therapists is a great way to make a start, this is also important as ideally, you would like to live amongst like-minded people.

Sophie L:

There are lots of options in Ibiza, Massage beach can help you to find the right place with the right people, but the right place will always come along. 

Sophie M:

I secured accommodation with help from Massage beach and their Facebook confirmed therapist page. 

Rebecca:

You will definitely earn great money as a self-employed therapist in Ibiza, it’s true that the harder you work the more you will earn, motivation is key so it's important to be focused and energised ready for work!

Sophie L:

Yes, you will earn more than enough money and you should even be able to save a lot too. 

Sophie M:

If you are a hard worker, you can earn enough money. I managed to live, go out, enjoy Ibiza and save too. 

Rebecca:

I was located in Playa Den Bossa (by choice) which personally I found to have some of the best hotels for working! The company will ensure you are put to work in the area you are located most of the time! You may occasionally go to work in places not so close to where you are living, in this case, using the busses are essential.

Sophie L:

I love the fact you get to work at a different beautiful location each day.

Sophie M:

You will work all over the island but they work the rota so the majority of time you work in the area that you live. 

 Rebecca:

One of my top hotels for working was five star  Grand Palladium White Island Resort in Playa den Bossa. I found it great here as there was plenty of space to PR for your clients and the overall high-end atmosphere made it a pleasure to be there for the day!

Sophie L:

This is very hard to choose but I think it still has to be my all-time favourite, Don Carlos, although over the years there have been some that have come close.

Sophie M:

My favourite hotel was called Mare Nostrum. I loved the atmosphere there, it was full of people around a similar age, so I found it easy to PR, meaning I always made good money after a day’s work.

Sophie L:

Yes there is a lot of support from the company with whatever you need. 

Sophie M:

The company help support you in your role, because they share their experiences with you on pr’ing and treatments. 

Sophie L:

Yes I will keep doing it for as long as I can and as long as they have me.

Sophie M:

After doing two seasons I can say I would definitely work with Massage Beach again. It gave me memories I will hold close to me forever. 

Sophie L:

Of course, I have lost count the number of people I have recommended. 

Sophie M:

Yes, I would recommend to friends and colleges. 

 Sophie L:

My advice would be to go with an open mind and just enjoy yourself, it’s a beautiful island and it’s not just about clubbing. Ibiza has a very magical spiritual side and I would recommend to go out at night one or two days per week, around your days off and to spend the rest of the time enjoying the whole island.

Sophie M:

Tips for new therapists; do it and don’t hold back! You’ll have the best 6 months ever. 

Sophie L:

My favourite restaurant is either Wild Beets in Santa Getrudis or Simbiosis in Ibiza Town. Both are fully vegan.

Sophie M:

Anywhere with tapas. 

Sophie L:

My favourite memory is spending my birthday on Ibiza and having a mini retreat day with my boyfriend. 

Sophie M:

All of them, I can’t pick one! 

Sophie L:

Either Hostal la Torre or Khumaras. I also love sunset at Benirràs 

Sophie M:

Cafe Mambos.  

Sophie L:

Yes, I would always recommend Ibiza to family and friends as there really is something for everyone .

Sophie M:

I always recommend to friends and family because I loved it so much. 

Rebecca:

A typical day off was my chance to feel as if I were on holiday myself, sunbathing by the pool, popping down to the beach, it's important to organise yourself on these days for the week ahead, whether this is shopping for food or odd chores around the apartment as its important for everybody you live with.

Sophie L:

100% my day off would be to go to the beach and eat some yummy food.

Sophie M:

I would have something planned on my day off whether it was a different beach, a hotel to lounge in or a party. 

Sophie L:

You can pretty much try anything, yoga, hiking, water sports, day trips to the local hippy markets. 

Sophie M:

Formentera for the day.  

Sophie L:

I’m not greatly into clubbing although I have been to almost all of them but my favourite would probably be Namaste at Las Dalias. 

Sophie M:

Ushuaia. 

Sophie L:

I’ve seen a few famous people, but I actually can’t remember now??? 

Sophie M:

I saw lots of famous artist whilst living in Ibiza. 

Sophie L:

hmmm that’s easy the constant sunshine and the good vibes.

Sophie M:

EVERYTHING!! 

Rebecca:

My first trip to Ibiza on a family holiday aged 14 is where Massage Beach first took my interest and I knew one day it would be something I'd just have to try! It definitely helped having already known about the company and following for years! Last year came the time I decided it was time to try something new! You will be nervous at the thought if you've never been away from home but it's worth the challenge for how much you will gain from this! 

Sophie L:

Yes, once and I knew I had to come back.

Sophie M:

Yes, that’s how I knew of Massage Beach because they were working in the hotel I was working in.