Cassie Sampson
I asked Cassie Sampson if she would be willing to tell about her amazing success story after Graduating Body Wisdom Massage School. See story below in her own words …. (Rhett Hatfield, Director of Education)
Before attending Body Wisdom School, I had spent at least four years as a nursing home Activity Coordinator. I saw how caring touch benefited my residents and knew how much I enjoyed providing that touch. Massage school seemed like it would satisfy my desire to learn more about the health benefits of touch, though I had no plans of being a full-time massage therapist because I loved my job.
Shortly after starting massage school, I saw how I could incorporate what I was learning into my career. I brought back techniques to help relax my nursing home residents and they were more than willing to be “test subjects.” I was convinced that I would start a massage practice with a focus on helping people with disabilities and who were using Hospice care.
Right as I was graduating from Body Wisdom, a new chiropractor offered me a job based on a fellow therapist’s referral. As much as I loved my current position, my love of massage had grown with each new course I took. I decided to take the leap and leave the security of a job I’d held for years in favor of a new adventure. I mostly saw the chiropractor’s patients for 30-minute sessions to help ease pain and prepare their bodies for an adjustment. It was quite a shift to go from working with aging adults to younger, more active individuals, but I was surprised to find how well it suited me. I enjoyed seeing people leave my table feeling great and being able to return to the activities they enjoyed. I also liked the challenge of figuring out how to best address their muscular issues.
About a year into my chiropractic work, some insurance policies changed, making it difficult to get my services covered. Most of my clients in the small town were unable to continue seeing me as frequently, so I decided to take the opportunity to explore a different path-spa massage. I worked for a short time in a large spa and while I enjoyed being with other people and having my needs (scheduling, linens, expenses) taken care of, I couldn’t satisfy my love of planning, managing, and marketing when being employed by someone else. I opened a small private practice in the historic downtown East Village neighborhood.
My business picked up as my clients spread the word. I also learned to use technology to my advantage. Through a year and a half of trial and error, I finally felt as though I could take one more step forward and expand my practice into a small spa, which our touristy neighborhood desperately needed. I currently own At Ease Spa just two blocks from my first little practice. I’m managing four employees and hoping to add one to two additional employees by the end of 2009. In addition to massage, we also offer natural nail care and skin care.
I find that in owning my business, I get the best of (almost) everything. While I miss having someone else to run to when problems and unexpected expenses arise, I enjoy being able to have control over the way my spa is run, the products we use, the services we offer, and brand. I am able to enjoy the social aspects of work and have been fortunate to find great employees (including another Body Wisdom graduate) and as a business owner, I feel that I am making a difference in our neighborhood
Cassie Sampson
At Ease Spa
(515) 309-2904 (spa number)
315 East 5th Street #121
Des Moines, IA 50309
www.DesMoinesAtEase.com
Blog: www.dmjuice.com/cassie
Twitter Name: ateasespa
Cassie Sampson
At Ease Spa
“Simple Comforts for Complicated Lives”
www.DesMoinesAtEase.com
Body Wisdom Massage School's Blog 