massage therapist

front desk agent

receptionist

customer service representative

general manager

The NOW

This is definitely a good place to just get in to somewhere ASAP and also get your hands on good number of clients to get some good real world experience out of school but please be aware they only give FIVE  minutes in between clients. On a slow day this was fine but I worked on 7 people back to back one day with no breaks and barely a 20 minute lunch because I was running behind. I was DRAINED! Also compared to other spas in the Greater Seattle area this place actually pays the lowest if you are fresh out of school. If you've been licensed for 5+ years the pay is decent (piece rate based on # of years of experience). They offer NO HEALTH INSURANCE. They advertise that they reimburse CE's and License Renewal then you're hit with a bunch of excuses of why they can't reimburse you so BE AWARE. The place itself is beautiful but there are no treatment rooms, just stalls with curtains so talking is a big No No and also you can hear other clients getting dressed and making noises as you're massaging and it really takes you out of your element. The location in Seattle is very new and management truly has no idea what they're doing. I understand that is harsh but I would ask very straightforward questions and staff would scramble to try and figure out what the answer is. Poor communication and poor people skills. Front desk would also change my appointments without speaking to me beforehand and when you try to have a conversation about it they say "Well nobody trained me on that." So nobody takes accountability. Once a client came in almost 20 min late and front desk just moved the appointment to accommodate the guest since I had a gap right after WITHOUT asking me and claimed there is no policy for guest who arrive late which is false because there is a policy on the website clear as day. Again unorganized and management is very obsessed with the "LA" and "Influencer culture" of the company that they're forgetting us Massage Therapists are people who need to take care of ourselves and our bodies in order to take care of our clients the best we can.

Also, I was only offered to work nights and weekends and I was practically the only one on this shift. Many of the LMTs work the weekends but most of them were off by 5 or 6 and I would be the only one working until 9. Felt like I had no freedom to choose what worked best for me. I also felt I could never speak to management because they didn't really seem to care about how I was feeling or doing they just wanted me to work on as many clients as possible and also push myself beyond my physical limits. I would constantly get booked to do cupping on my massages when I made it very clear I am not certified at all. I felt as though management wasn't too concerned about certifications though, they just want you to perform all the enhancements they offer.

The facility's outer layer is aesthetically beautiful and it's built to make a client feel they have stepped into an elevated massage boutique, but it's just another major franchise with it's own internal issues. There are no private rooms, it's a giant room with pseudo-rooms built with wooden columns and separated with heavy canvas material. You can hear other guests/therapists and see the shadows of others. A lot of the decor is again, purely aesthetic, so many different textiles and materials which are difficult to clean and sanitize properly.

Therapists are paid in tiers of experience and it's hourly. They used to only pay you what you're worth if you were "in-service" as well as an uncapped commission for client service enhancements, and if a client cancelled or if you weren't booked it was only minimum wage. Now I believe they pay your full "in-service" rate regardless if you're booked which is a great security blanket, but have discontinued the uncapped commission for enhancements which lowers the hourly earning potential. I also learned quickly that the 5 mins after a session ends and 5 mins before the next session starts is considered your "10 min break", but it feels a little backhanded as you are trying to turn over your room with the little time you have for the next client instead of an actual uninterrupted, "you aren't doing work" break. 
They offer medical/dental/vision for individuals who work a minimum amount of weekly hours, but only is 50% covered by the company and even then is still a bit pricey depending on how much you earn.

Company culture perpetuates the "we're a family" slogan, that many modern and responsible companies are trying to steer away from. They also have a employee "leveling up" program which rewards people with basic things like retail discounts and PTO, for those who over-extend themselves/bends over backwards for the company. 


My experience as a receptionist or experience guide at NOW has been quite a rollercoaster. On the positive side, the training for new guides is comprehensive, and there's some level of openness to communication, which is appreciated. However, the heavy-handed micromanagement and blatant favoritism within the workplace are notable downsides. Yet my most significant frustration stems from the lack of accommodation for my disability. The company hasn't provided the necessary support despite disclosing my condition during the interview process.
Moreover, California law mandates 10-minute breaks, but these are inconsistently given. Instead, there's only one 30-minute unpaid lunch break or a 15-minute paid break, depending on the hours worked. This lack of rest nearly led to a severe incident where I almost passed out on duty. Adding to the challenges is the unreliable Zenoti computer system, which fails to work correctly about 75% of the time. This disrupts workflow and adds unnecessary stress to an already demanding role. Unfortunately, raising concerns within the facility is difficult due to potential conflicts of interest. Plus, accessibility is an ongoing issue – hardly any chairs are available at the front desk, compounding the stress. Initially, I was puzzled by the stress levels of the receptionists, but now I understand why. While the training is valuable, the company's failure to address essential needs, adhere to labor laws, and provide reliable systems significantly impacts the overall experience.



A typical day at The NOW Boutique involved providing massage services while being encouraged to promote numerous add-ons to clients. Unfortunately, many of these add-ons felt overpriced compared to what is offered complimentary at other spas. One thing I learned was how heavily the business model depends on upselling rather than focusing on the quality of the massage experience itself.

Management appeared more focused on sales metrics and add-on revenue than therapist satisfaction or client outcomes. Workplace culture often felt transactional, with pressure placed on therapists to sell services that provided little benefit to them financially. Many add-ons generated minimal compensation for therapists despite the additional expectations and workload.

The hardest part of the job was managing client expectations when premium-priced services did not always match what clients believed they were purchasing. The most enjoyable part of the job was working directly with clients and helping them feel better through massage therapy.

What is the best part of working at the company?
I’ve had an incredible experience working here. The culture is genuinely positive, supportive, and team-driven, which is not always easy to find in this industry. Leadership is hands-on, approachable, and truly invested in both the guest experience and the success of the team.
One thing I really appreciate is the level of structure and clarity. Expectations, policies, and standards are clearly communicated, which makes it easier for everyone to succeed and creates a consistent experience across the board.
I’ve seen some negative reviews, and in my experience, most of the concerns come down to not aligning with those established policies or expectations. The company holds a high standard, and while that may not be for everyone, it’s a big part of what makes the environment so strong and the experience so elevated.
Overall, this is a great place to work if you value professionalism, growth, and being part of a team that takes pride in what they do.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
dont really have one, there are always going to be stressful things at any job, but nothing is specific to here/this company.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
positive, open door policy. You can go to anyone if you want, but that needs to be used more from everyone. not everyone wants to talk about things or understand situations better which doesn't help the team as a whole

Management: Several workplace concerns were raised repeatedly and documented, with little to no follow up from management. Reports of inappropriate behavior toward staff were submitted internally which did not end in results for employee safety. Longstanding and documented payroll discrepancies were also raised over time and ignored.

A typical day at work: As a front desk employee routinely scheduled alone during closing shifts, it was not possible for me to take a 30-minute break due to required duties: Answering phones, assisting walk-ins, processing payments at check out, and handling rescheduling. I had to eat my meals at the front desk between clients and despite this, the full break period continued to be deducted from pay. Corporate leadership was notified of these concerns but did not follow up with me.

Workplace culture: Turnover during my employment period was extremely high. Three employees resigned in just over a month, citing the same operational and workplace challenges. Over an eight month period, turnover exceeded 126%, which is far above typical industry norms.

I've worked for The Now at the Silverlake location when the open their doors, I must say it was a slow start from where it is Today. I've seen the ups and downs on business, I must say such a GREAT, HUGE improvement. When i started i was a Independent Contractor to  employee. with that switch it was great went through a couple managers the first year. When i quit my manager is a great manager i have EVER worked with, not many managers will actually put enough effort to EACH employee. With Silverlake location being the biggest location for employees. hes done an amazing job juggling the role as a manager. It was the HARDEST choice for me to quit because the fact I LOVE MY JOB!!! That is hard to say for most people in the workforce. i love my clients and their were sad to see me leave, but i helped them find the right fit for them for all the other amazing talented Massage therapists. what i love about working for the now is the fact you have the chance to work/pick up shifts from all the other location. when in doubt if the build another location near me i would be the first one to apply. the staff is amazing talented individuals i call my friends.

I love my position at this boutique. I haven't been happy with my other job for some time now. It was hard to make the switch. I am beyond happy I chose this place. It's a decent starting pay for what the job is. Everyone is very professional and friendly. I'm very happy to go to work every day. I think it's a great company to work for. Being a previous business owner, it's hard to have to have a boss again. This location has never made me feel like I have a boss. They give you freedom and treat you with the upmost respect. The general manager at this location is now my favorite boss I've ever had. This made my transition changing jobs very easy and soothing. It also made me confident again after losing my previous business. The best thing is, they care on top of it. They care. My boss saw something in me and could tell I was having "self esteem"/confidence issues but could tell that wasn't the normal for me. She was absolutely correct. I've never had someone especially a coworker/boss take the time to see that in me and care. It was a very empathetic experience that shocked me and almost put me in tears. This may not possibly one of my favorite jobs I've ever had. It's a great company all around. I love the way they do certain things and operate. 

Unfortunately, the culture at the Hawthorne studio does not support or retain high-performing team members. Leadership often prioritized under-performance and created an environment where accountability was mischaracterized as aggression. Constructive feedback was weaponized with misused “therapy speak,” and efforts to maintain professional standards were met with scapegoating and bullying.

Management, particularly at the Hawthorne location, fostered dysfunction rather than collaboration. Boundaries were not respected, and team leads were frequently undermined, even in front of peers. Concerns raised were dismissed or flipped back onto the employee, creating a toxic cycle that drove away good talent.

Despite all this, I’m proud of what I accomplished. If leadership at this location changes, there may be hope for a healthier, more professional culture. Until then, I would not recommend this location to those who value integrity, high standards, or respectful collaboration.


What is the best part of working at the company?
My coworkers were always fun to be around.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Repeated concerns about scheduling, workload, and communication were raised with management and documented, with little to no follow-up. Decisions consistently prioritized coverage over employee well-being, and concerns about sustainability in a physically demanding, client-facing role were not meaningfully addressed.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Despite branding centered on wellness and self-care, the internal culture did not reflect those values. Communication was largely reactive, turnover was high, and employee concerns were frequently left unresolved, leading to burnout and dissatisfaction.


What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Shifts were tightly scheduled with back-to-back clients and minimal flexibility. Schedule changes were often made on short notice, and expectations around availability were unclear. The pace left little room for recovery between sessions, contributing to ongoing physical and mental strain.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Massage therapist 92 salaries reported	$45.76 per hour
Front desk agent 17 salaries reported	$19.47 per hour
Receptionist 6 salaries reported	$15.46 per hour
Customer service representative 23 salaries reported	$17.26 per hour
General manager 10 salaries reported	$66,600 per year

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