Episode 101: Numbers, Nerds & Not Being Poor: Getting Real About Accounting with Anna Mitchell
Accounting might not be the first love of most massage therapists, but it’s a crucial part of running a sustainable business. In Episode 101 of the Folding Towels Podcast, Jackie and David welcomed Anna Mitchell—accountant, former massage therapist, and founder of That Accounting Stuff—to talk all things money, tax, and making friends with your numbers.
Anna’s story is refreshingly relatable. She started out in massage, working in multiple clinics before eventually running her own space. But after a long recovery from injury and burnout, she realised her future wasn’t in hands-on work. What followed was a complete career pivot into accounting—driven by the simple need to understand her own business finances.
“I couldn’t find anyone who could answer my questions in plain English,” Anna explains. “I wanted to learn the language so I could teach other people.”
And that’s exactly what she does today—through her business That Accounting Stuff, she teaches creative professionals, bodyworkers, and health practitioners the essentials of business finance in a way that’s approachable, practical, and empowering.
The Hard Truth: Massage Therapists Avoid the Money Stuff
One of the reasons Anna’s work is so popular is because she knows the common struggles of health professionals. Many therapists love the craft, but feel overwhelmed, underprepared, or just plain intimidated when it comes to their business finances.
“I was talking to a massage therapist last week,” she recalls, “and they said, ‘If I pretend it’s not there, it doesn’t exist.’” That kind of thinking is unfortunately widespread—and risky.
In her experience, therapists fall into two categories: those who avoid their numbers entirely, and those who want to do better but don’t know where to start.
The danger? Avoiding your numbers can lead to cash flow problems, surprise tax bills, and a persistent feeling of failure—even if you’re doing good work and seeing happy clients.
“You feel like you’re working hard, but you’ve got nothing to show for it,” says Anna. “And that can be really demoralising.”
Starting Where You Are
Anna’s approach is all about making accounting manageable. Rather than overwhelming people with jargon, she encourages small, consistent steps. Start by tracking your income and expenses. Set aside money for tax. Understand your numbers so you can make informed decisions.
And if you’ve fallen behind? It’s never too late.
“Many people come to me with three years’ worth of tax returns outstanding,” she laughs. “That’s really normal. The ATO sees this all of the time—as long as you’re communicating with them and making an effort.”
One of her key messages is that tax isn’t something to fear. If you owe money, there are always options. The important thing is to face it—and to get support from someone who speaks your language.
That’s why she created That Accounting Stuff. Her online courses focus on the practical needs of small business owners, especially sole traders in service-based professions. They cover topics like:
- Understanding how much tax you’ll owe
- Setting up systems for income and expenses
- Budgeting for slow periods
- Pricing your services sustainably
- Feeling confident talking to your accountant or bookkeeper
You can check out Anna’s courses here: thataccountingstuff.mailerpage.io/courses
But I Just Want to Massage People…
For many massage therapists, the business side of things is the least appealing part. You didn’t study massage to learn accounting. But as Anna points out, you do need to earn a living—and that means understanding how your business functions.
“It’s not about becoming an accountant,” she says. “It’s about making peace with money so it doesn’t feel like a constant source of stress.”
Jackie agrees, reflecting on how she used to leave invoices and receipts untouched for weeks. “I felt so much anxiety just looking at the paperwork,” she admits. But over time, with systems in place, it became easier—and more empowering.
Anna reassures listeners that there’s no perfect way to do this. The key is to create a rhythm that suits you, whether that’s setting aside time weekly or monthly to review your finances, automate your systems, or work with a bookkeeper who understands your business.
Finding the Confidence to Charge What You’re Worth
Another core issue Anna sees is around pricing. Many therapists struggle to charge appropriately for their services, often undercharging or over-delivering because they want to help people.
“I see a lot of people who aren’t confident in their pricing,” Anna says. “They’ll say, ‘I’m charging $90 for 60 minutes’—and when you look at their costs, they’re earning less than minimum wage.”
Getting clarity on your numbers changes that. When you understand what you need to earn to cover your costs, pay your super, and take holidays, it becomes easier to set prices that support your lifestyle.
You’re not just guessing. You’re making informed decisions based on real data.
From Shame to Strategy
For therapists who’ve been avoiding their numbers, Anna’s biggest message is this: shame doesn’t help. You’re not a failure for being behind on tax or feeling disorganised. The real power lies in starting from wherever you are—right now—and making a plan.
“You’re running a real business,” she says. “And you deserve to feel good about that.”
Whether that means hiring a bookkeeper, watching a short course, or simply scheduling a regular money date with yourself—any small step forward is a win.
Final Thoughts: You’re Allowed to Love Your Work and Be Financially Well
Massage therapists often fall into the trap of thinking that money and care are opposites. That to be in a “helping profession” means accepting low pay, financial stress, or chaos behind the scenes.
Anna disagrees.
You can provide great care and build a profitable, sustainable business. You can help people and take holidays, pay your super, and sleep at night knowing the ATO isn’t lurking in your inbox.
It starts by getting curious. It starts by treating your business like the real business it is.
And if you need help along the way? Anna’s built a whole platform just for that.
Explore courses from That Accounting Stuff here:
thataccountingstuff.mailerpage.io/courses