Before You Book: Policies & Studio Etiquette at Bull City Soles

As we head into a new year, I wanted to share a quick “studio reset” that helps everything run smoothly for you and for our therapists at Bull City Soles Massage & Bodywork Studio.

We are a small, locally owned studio, not a chain. That’s part of what makes the experience here more customized, more personal, and more consistent. It also means our schedule is real people doing hands-on work with limited hours and capacity.

These guidelines help ensure quality sessions, timeliness, and support for our therapists.

Arriving Early Helps Your Body (and your session)

If you can, arrive about 10 minutes early.

That little buffer gives you time to:

• Decompress from traffic/work/life.

• Use the restroom.

• Grab a cup of water.

• Settle your nervous system before we begin.

Starting your session this way can enhance the bodywork you receive. If you rush in to the studio stressed and still “on,” your body often needs time to wind down before the work can really land, and an hour goes by quickly as it is. Arriving a few minutes early helps you get "settled in" and benefit more from the work and the time you've booked for yourself.

Studio Etiquette (thank you for helping us keep it calm)

Because Bull City Soles is a multi-therapist practice, other clients may be in session when you arrive.

We ask that you use an inside voice when entering and while in the studio (including the hallway and waiting area). This helps protect the quiet, focused environment that makes bodywork more effective for everyone. Thank you for being mindful. It truly makes a difference.

The “in-between time” is not extra time.

We build in a short break between clients, and it goes by quickly.

That time is when we:

• Reset the room, replace linens, and restock.

• Close out sessions + help clients reschedule.

• Complete SOAP notes (our session documentation).

• Use the restroom ourselves.

• Grab a quick snack so we can stay present and grounded.

When the schedule runs behind, it impacts every client after you, and reduces the time we have to do the behind-the-scenes tasks that keep the studio running smoothly.

Booking and Confirmation for New Clients

For new clients, we ask that you book online and pay a 50% deposit. Our system safely encrypts credit card information for your security.

After booking, you should receive an appointment notification/confirmation via text or email (based on your preference). If you don’t receive it, please call the office to confirm. We want to make sure everything is scheduled correctly.

After your first visit, your therapist will handle scheduling and payment directly, and they may share their individual contact info so you can communicate with them from that point on.

This setup helps keep things simple and personal, especially once your therapist knows your goals and preferences.

Cancellation Policy (and a request that really helps)

If you cancel within 24 hours, you may be charged in full.

Clients receive a reminder two days in advance to confirm or cancel on time.

If possible, please give 48 hours’ notice so we have time to fill your spot. This helps protect therapists from the financial hardship that last-minute cancellations can create.

We understand that life happens. What matters most is communicating as early as possible.

Running late? A Note About Time and Scheduling

Please arrive on time for your appointment. If you arrive late, your session will still end at the originally scheduled time to avoid overlapping with the next client and to keep our studio running smoothly.

If you're running behind, you have two options:

• Keep your appointment and use the remaining session time.

• Cancel or reschedule (please note: our late cancellation policy still applies).

Late arrivals who choose not to use the remaining time will still be responsible for the full session fee, as that time was specifically reserved for you and cannot be rebooked at the last minute.

We understand that life happens. This policy isn’t about punishment; it’s about respect for time; yours, ours, and the clients scheduled after you.

As self-employed massage therapists, we only earn income when we're actively working. A late cancellation or no-show means we lose that income for the day, and with a full schedule often booked weeks in advance, it’s nearly impossible to make up that time. We know most clients don’t intend to cause hardship, but it’s important to understand how no-shows and last-minute cancellations affect small service-based businesses like ours.

Thank you for helping us protect the value of our time and keep our schedule running smoothly for everyone.

No-Shows

If you miss your appointment without notice, you will be charged for the scheduled service. Reminders are sent, but calendar mistakes happen. So we strongly recommend adding your appointment to your calendar as soon as you book.

Sauna + Cold Plunge

Recovery room bookings are subject to a 24-hour cancellation policy.

We do our best to be flexible, but with limited staffing (especially on weekends), we can’t always make last-minute adjustments. Thanks for giving as much notice as possible.

Not sure what to book?

Here are three simple guidelines that help most people choose a session length:

• 30 minutes is best for focused spot work or quick relief when time is limited.

• 60 minutes fits most first visits—there’s time to assess and still provide meaningful work.

• 90 minutes is best for full-body work plus targeted attention, especially for stress or persistent tension.

Want more guidance choosing a session length? Check out our full post: How Long Should My Massage Session Last?

Bonus tip: If you have time, booking a sauna before your massage or Rolfing session can be a great way to transition into bodywork. A short sauna session can help you decompress, warm tissues, and arrive more relaxed—often making your bodywork feel even more effective.

And if you’re still unsure, call us. We're happy to point you in the right direction.

Thank you!

Thanks for respecting policies that keep us running well. They support quality care and protect our therapists’ time and ability to work long-term.