Note to my students of Professional Foot Reflexology Practitioner Program
As soon as you become a Reflexologist you will be a part of the Wellness Revolution. The Wellness Revolution has already been documented as the next trillion dollar industry. A strong component of wellness is now known as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). You will be seeing this title over and over again.
Consider this. Last week I asked my students to contemplate who will be their target for marketing their professional Reflexology services.
People born between 1946 (post World War II) and 1963 are known in the marketing world as “Baby Boomers”. Fact is, Baby Boomers by sheer massive numbers alone have been the endless target of marketers throughout their entire lives. Now no longer babies, this group were renamed by younger generations as simply “Boomers”.
For the past several years we’ve watched the greying of this group. Now in 2010 the majority of this mass market of Boomers are focused on one particular issue. That is to age gracefully by maintaining their health and lifestyle.
Unlike their parents, many Boomers refused to accept western medicine as the end all of keeping healthy. Remember this generation were the protestors of the Vietnam War, the free lovers and free thinkers of the 1960s, questioning authority at every step of the way. Collectively Boomers hold the most wealth on our planet. And, they are willing to spend it on health, lifestyle and anti-aging to stay young and vibrant. So, anti-aging, the constant desire to be youthful and living a stress reduced lifestyle are priority issues. Reflexology addresses these concerns.
Oh, by the way, being a Baby Boomer myself, we’re a pretty nice group of people. Well, most of us anyhow.
Your comments please!
I quite agree with this. Most baby boomers are all wanting to stay active and healthy as they become seniors. They are the group that are more willing to spend a bit on health and comfort. This would be the group I can see having the most success as a Reflexologist.
I’ve had instructors in the past saying that there will be increasing numbers of baby boomers seeking “alternative” methods for health in the future, because they don’t want to be constantly taking medication, and I completely agree.
I view Reflexology as a great complementary healing method for them, because having them lying face down and trying not to move for acupuncture treatments lasting ~30min can be quite uncomfortable for them.
Hi Amy,
Very interesting comments, thanks.
Jack
Great, Thanks Christine.
Jack
I’m glad you’ve brought this to our attention Jack, as you make an excellent point. Boomers today are seeking ways to improve their health and lifespan by eating organic and healthier foods, going to fitness centres, taking yoga classes, and more involved in sports activities, in addition to searching for alternative healing and health practices. People have come to recognize that Traditional Western Mainstream Medicine is not addressing the root cause of their health concerns and thus are turning towards CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) and discovering the amazing benefits of holistic, natural healing modalities including Reflexology, accupuncture, accupressure, Reiki, Body Talk, EFT, Craniosacral, massage, aromatherapy, crystal, color and sound therapy… to name a few.
People are getting sick and tired of being just that – sick and tired! They want to have good health, be fit, look younger and live longer, and many will spend whatever it takes to achieve these end results.
Jack is right… this really is a fantastic opportunity for us to use our training in Reflexology, enabling us to offer alternative health solutions, and use it in our marketing strategy. After all, the desire for health and wellness is in the news, media and advertising everywhere!
Hi Mieke
Very well articulated. Great opportunities here.
Jack
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to comment on this subject. I have long ago realized that Boomers are the driving force for researching and developing new (or old) therapies. As a result there is now an enormous amount of choice available to the general population. We no longer have only our family doctor to rely upon – we have a host of professionals available to us in many different modalities. As practitioners, we must be careful to keep our clients’ best interests at the forefront of our practices.
And speaking personally – I don’t really want to look young, as I feel I have earned my lines and wrinkles – but I want to look younger than I actually am!
Hi Pearl,
Thank you for your interesting comments. Boomers are an amazing diversified group as the older ones are now in their 60s. Wow!
Jack