This week Vivid Minds Vivid Futures interviews Meg Tickle, the owner of Precise Acupuncture & Massage. Meg has a passion for healthcare, with a focus on how acupuncture and massage can support emotional and mental wellbeing.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born in Tenterfield and spent my early childhood on a small farm there. I spent my high school years at a boarding school in Toowoomba. I’m the parent of three primary school aged children, so that takes a lot of my time. I love cooking, gardening, listening to music, and my animals (I have a cat and a cockatiel).
What motivated you to follow a career in massage and acupuncture?
When I left school, I did naturopathy and acupuncture. Initially, I was a bit fazed by the acupuncture – I didn’t really understand it. I didn’t have a guide or a mentor to guide me through it. I was fortunate to come across a training for the balance method created by Dr Tan that was both powerful and simple. I saw the results that people were getting through this method and it inspired me to go down this path. The method can be useful for issues such as sleep, pain and interior problems. Often it can be as simple as four needles and the benefits are amazing.
Why did you start your business?
I wanted to put my learning to use – and do what I loved. When I moved back to Tenterfield, I started off doing massage and treating with herbs. So, I got into the business that way. When I moved to Armidale, I was lucky to train and gain experience in the balance method. I felt confident in my knowledge and experience and opened the business. Being a single mum with three kids, it made sense to have my own business so that I could work around the kids’ commitments and needs. I’ve been in this business for about two years and I’m enjoying it very much.
What have been some of your challenges in starting a business?
I’ve never been a big planner, but when you have your own business, planning is really important. That was a challenge to start with, but I am better at it now. The main challenge at the moment is making sure that I keep the balance between caring for my kids and work. The planning comes into that aspect too. I find that I need to be strong with my planning so that I can approach each day with a clear idea of what needs to be done.
What do you like most about running your own business?
For me, at this point in time, it’s the flexibility. I feel like both my work and family life, both of which are important to me, are manageable. It’s great that I can fit in all the activities that the kids are involved in and also help my clients.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. That’s where you gain your own experience and can learn and grow in the business. Along with that, don’t be afraid to ask questions. While none of us have all the answers, if we share, we all grow.
What advice would you give a business just starting out?
Google how to do it! This isn’t such a bad idea these days, but should be done with caution. My generation didn’t have such open access to information about starting up any sort of business. More seriously, I think it’s important to find a mentor – find experienced people who can steer you in the right direction. A mentor and joining business and professional groups can open doors to opportunities for business growth and increasing your own knowledge base. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes. That’s where you gain your own experience and can learn and grow in the business. Along with that, don’t be afraid to ask questions. While none of us have all the answers, if we share, we all grow.
What inspires you?
Experienced and passionate people who like to share their skills. I’ve been blessed to meet some amazing people in my life and they’ve always been really passionate about what they do. They’re really experienced in their chosen profession – they’ve dedicated their whole life to it and then they’ve shared it. I think that’s amazing. When it’s not shared, it’s so sad. So many human beings love to learn new things and are willing to do so – it’s just so beneficial for people when knowledge is shared.
What is your secret for success?
Being genuine and authentic to your clients is the most important thing. That’s where your connection lies and if they’re being heard and being responded to from a beneficial place, then I think the rest happens on its own. Clients love the connection and will come back if they are receiving that benefit.
What’s next for Precise Acupuncture & Massage?
I can see that my business will grow over the next few years. I am looking forward to helping and supporting more people – and, once the travel restrictions are loosened, I would like to travel some more to learn and participate in humanitarian work.
Last year, I travelled to Cambodia and it was amazing. I went there to deepen my experience of the balance method under the guidance of my teacher and mentor, Paul Wang, and to offer acupuncture treatments to the beautiful people of Cambodia. I plan to go back when possible to continue to learn plus provide treatments.
I would love to open a community-based acupuncture clinic where I could offer cheaper treatments for people who can’t afford full treatments. This would open up acupuncture to a wide range of people. I feel that acupuncture has a lot to offer in the way of benefitting health and wellbeing.
