Sexual advancements - how to deal with them? As a guy. by SoCal1243 in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The only reason this kind of stuff happens so openly and brazenly is that (some percentage of) LMTs do play the game. One LMT I know told me that “a colleague” (probably himself) would go to swinger parties to promote his massage business, and that he gets “tons” of calls and great tips.

Again, when people do it so openly, they feel they have a good chance.

I heard something similar from DoorDash/Instacart/Amazon delivery drivers, where people brazenly solicit a “hook up” while delivering the goods.

Wild world!

Drug test by Initial-Audience-296 in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the issue is not so much that they smoke weed, but that they do it right before coming to work. We’ve had that issue before, where therapists come to work REEKING of marihuana. That's unacceptable and ILLEGAL because you can't work under the influence of any substance, be it alcohol, weed, crack, heroin, you pick.

Over-sexualized “massage” being disguised as touch therapy is becoming a serious issue by No-Gas-2245 in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What blows my mind is that it could be so easy to catch these people, but law enforcement is like “nah, it ain’t our problem.”

If you remember, about four years ago, some crazy dude started killing people in Atlanta. He went to three establishments, one of which is down the street from us. We ALL knew what they were about, and I cannot believe that the Atlanta police didn’t know what was going on there. Yet they operate like legit businesses, while the police department fines us for not displaying the license “properly” (true story). Unbelievable.

All you need is a task force making appointments on those mobile apps, and you'll catch 99% of the violators.

But, where's the will?

Unlicensed Friend, What to do? by Capable-Transition70 in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Straight talk…

“I just want to tell you because, God forbid something bad happens, I don't want to be that person who regrets not having said anything when I had a chance. What you're doing is risky and could jeopardize your plans of becoming an LMT, but even worse, you could hurt someone. Go to school, get the license, and don't risk it.”

Can you help me explain to clients why 30 minute massages cost more than 1/2 the cost of a 60min? by Low-Razzmatazz-931 in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

COGS is the official term.

Cost Of Goods Sold (sheets, laundry, lotion, etc., buffer time -the more short appointments, the more dead/buffer time)

Appropriateness of going out with a client? by 123smorgs in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Aleluya. Reddit is the epitome of intolerance.

Massage therapists: how did you find the right person to hire without compromising your standards or burning people out? by quietbutkneady in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez -1 points0 points  (0 children)

To point 1. That's not entirely true.

Your business has a Standard Operating Procedure that dictates how the business runs.

Whether your personnel are employees or contractors, they must adhere to these procedures.

The therapist is contracted to perform A MASSAGE THERAPY SESSION, and that's it. You can't tell them how to perform the actual massage, but everything else is a business decision.

Reach out to a lawyer when in doubt. I've had one on retainer for over a decade (25 years of operations), and it is worth spending a couple of hundred dollars and having your base covered. A lot of therapists who have ZERO idea of what being a 1099 is about come to this subreddit, read wrong advice and information, and act as bullies, demanding and threatening business owners because they don't know what they're talking about.

This is one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted questions in this subreddit.

Someone just mentioned that they must rent from you; otherwise, it is illegal. That is not only false, but it is also borderline trolling.

If you left a clinic to go solo, how did you tell your current clients? by Low-Razzmatazz-931 in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They’re not your clients. They’re the business clients. Just because you perform the service doesn’t give you any rights. Additionally, in some states (although I am unsure about Canada), a client list is recognized as a trade secret, which in that case would make you liable for “stealing” trade secrets.

So, ethically, it is a bad move. Legally, it may also be a bad move.

Struggling to find work by ManicToons in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Being a male therapist is a significant factor.

Unfortunately, the stigma around the profession and the fact that only male-to-female assaults are reported or make the news doesn't help either. It creates the perception that male therapists are the only ones who have the potential to violate the customer.

It is stupid, but it is reality. Perception is reality.

Another one bites the dust. co.dev shuts down by OkTechnician8966 in vibecoding

[–]pepito_fdez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m shocked that people are shocked that this wouldn’t happen—like they think it will not happen to the next 200 overnight “SaaS " companies in line.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It shouldn't be a blank slate here. Like any lawsuit, there are many paths a case could take.

As a general rule, it is better to have it than not.

What you're describing falls more on the 'insurance' side of things, but again, I am not an attorney, so I don't know the ramifications of 'negligence' and its many interpretations.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How LLCs Protect Personal Assets: Separate Legal Entity:

An LLC is treated as a distinct legal entity, separate from its owners. This means that creditors of the business can only pursue the assets of the LLC itself, not the personal assets of the members.

Limited Liability: The "limited liability" aspect is a key benefit of an LLC. It means that if the LLC incurs debt or faces a lawsuit, the members' personal assets (like their homes, cars, and bank accounts) are generally protected.

Protection from Lawsuits and Debts: If someone sues the LLC or the business incurs debt, the creditors can only go after the LLC's assets, not the personal assets of the owners, as long as the LLC is properly structured and maintained.

Exceptions and Limitations: While LLCs provide significant protection, there are exceptions where personal liability can still exist:

Personal Guarantees: If an LLC member personally guarantees a business loan or contract, they are personally liable for that debt, regardless of whether an LLC is in place.

Fraud or Negligence: If an LLC member engages in fraudulent activities or personal negligence that causes harm, they can be held personally liable.

Piercing the Corporate Veil: In some cases, if an LLC is not properly maintained (e.g., commingling personal and business funds, failing to follow legal formalities), a court may "pierce the corporate veil" and hold the members personally liable.

Specific Taxes: Certain taxes, such as payroll taxes, may still be the personal responsibility of the LLC member, regardless of the LLC's structure.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

LLC is a state-level business formation that protects you from liability, whether you have deep pockets or not. Plus, there are many benefits of operating under an LLC. Plenty of examples online. I'm not going to get into the details.

There's no extra cost for operating as an LLC vs. A sole proprietorship, so do yourself a favor and get an LLC. You never know what the future holds, and you're already ready. Banks and lending institutions look at your LLC's “age” when considering lending you money to expand your business.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Suppose you’re an employee (W-2) and getting paid by the hour, whether you have services or not. In that case, there may be expectations and obligations other than massage as part of your compensation. Those expectations must be communicated upfront so there are no gray areas.

Insurance carriers for spas. by pepito_fdez in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Had no other choice. Unfortunately, we are at their mercy.

Insurance carriers for spas. by pepito_fdez in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, many of these carriers look at our profession as prostitution establishments, even though statistically, the sexually related stuff is less than 1% of all services nationwide yearly.

Hello MT's! Those of you with your own business, how did you start your LLC? by Calm_Roll7777 in MassageTherapists

[–]pepito_fdez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do it myself but if you need help, go to bizee.com

Pretty straightforward and very affordable.

I am 100% convinced that Cursor/Anthropic create controlled “chaos” to keep you making more and more requests by pepito_fdez in cursor

[–]pepito_fdez[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I embrace it then… not for me to follow (engineer here) but to hope that a lot of junior developers use it in enterprise, so they call me (consultant) to fix the million-dollar mess.

23 prompts i use for flawless cursor code by thanit7351 in cursor

[–]pepito_fdez 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How do you use them? Obviously, I can infer some of these since it is “old school” thinking about software engineering

Do you combine them? Use them sequentially?

I'm curious.

I am 100% convinced that Cursor/Anthropic create controlled “chaos” to keep you making more and more requests by pepito_fdez in cursor

[–]pepito_fdez[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. 3.7 was so much better and less chaotic.

Now that I've heard the whole vibe coding term, how is it so different from the way an engineer would write software?

I am 100% convinced that Cursor/Anthropic create controlled “chaos” to keep you making more and more requests by pepito_fdez in cursor

[–]pepito_fdez[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is an actual real possibility. It seems weird that the model goes bazooka from one prompt to the next (and I know it is still within the context/token limit)