Rebekah's Massage Therapy with Purpose

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Meet
Rebekah

NO GATEKEEPING! INTERVIEW

Before we dive into the specifics, could you introduce yourself and share a bit about your background and the experiences that have shaped your path in entrepreneurship?

My name is Rebekah and my massage therapy practice is Healed By Paris. I grew up wanting to be in the health field and when COVID struck in 2020 it changed what this would look like for me. I went from being on a physical therapy path to graduating with BS and deciding that I wanted a life with more freedom. I recognized that even though I am an amazing worker I am a terrible employee so before I even started massage therapy school I began making Tik Tok videos. Before I graduated massage therapy school I had over 300 videos and over 2k followers. Clients knew who I was, Massage therapists respected me, and I could see that my plan was working. Now I am 6 months post graduation, I am licensed, and I am trying to find a balance between charging what's needed to afford my bills and build my practice with doing what I said I would which is bringing affordable care to The Bronx.

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Can you describe a meaningful professional relationship that had a lasting impact on your career?

I met the massage therapist for the mariners when I was in massage therapy school. He has since become a mentor and a friend.

And to top it off he never charged me money or made me feel weird for dreaming big. Although as someone doing this about 17 years he had all right. Because of him I try to pass on the idea of "I want you to get where I am faster because there's enough room for everyone to win. " when I speak with students and therapists.

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Can you share an experience where you felt 'blocked' or restricted in your field? How did you navigate that?

I started making tik tok videos in anticipation of the business I would have when I graduated massage therapy school. Goal was to fight the stigma around massage therapy and attract my ideal client at the same time. What I didn't expect was that I would also build a community of massage therapy students who would look up to me, even as a student myself. I recognized this new audience and plunged head first into showing them how I was preparing to work for myself and there were a lot of older massage therapist who did not like it. They thought I was selling a dream to other students because "It's not that easy"

And one day I came online and saw a video made by another massage therapist saying not to listen to massage therapy students. He never named me but I was the only one who was making as many videos on the topic in 2023. And to make it worse I knew him virtually.

In the comments were a lot of others who agreed with him and for the first time in a long time I felt like I had something to prove not just to myself but to them. I started pumping out more content and by the time I graduated I hit nearly 500 videos on TT, and from February to October I grew my account by 2k followers. I invested in my business and started hunting for an office space in the Bronx. I was so determined to make all of this work that I purchased by office space 2 weeks BEFORE I learned if I was licensed because there was no other option than to succeed. I trusted myself. And within 6 months of graduating I built my client base to where I could replace my jobs income and still have room to breathe.

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What trends do you see shaping the future of your industry, and how are you adapting to them?

Video content will continue to help and hurt the field of massage therapy.

The viral content involving nudity will forever influence what it means to get a a service.

But at the same time you have videos like mine that try to show what it looks like to be in this field and what the average session looks like.

I had one client who expressed her disappointment after the session. She wanted a "rub me down deep tissue" massage and I realized that she was disappointed by expectations I never set in place. Massaging from the ankle to neck in one long stroke -- where the client is fully exposed on one side is something that I've never shown on my pages. But she expected it because of what she's seen and experienced from others. I always tell clients what you see on my page is what you get. I am transparent and that is how I am shaping massage therapy.

Can you share a particular strategy or approach that’s improved your productivity or creativity?

I live by the words "pick your struggle"

I can be uncomfortable because Im doing a task I don't want to like fixing my website or editing a video OR I can be uncomfortable because I'm broke and not reaching my goals. I don't always have to be motivated I just need to be disciplined for the next 60 minutes to get what I need to do done.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your industry?

I would tell them to shoot for the stars. Create ideas, plans, and goals bigger than anything you saw growing up and surround yourself (even virtually) with people who get it. Because I promise you, you aren't crazy for wanting a better life and freedom on your own terms. Taking your largest goal (like opening your own space) and work backwards so you can start to see clearly what steps have to happen first. For example I knew I needed to save a month or two of suite rent so I didn't have to be fully booked out to leave my job and work for myself.

How has your definition of success evolved over time?

Success looked like how can I get a raise and recognized at work to what rates do I need to afford the lifestyle I want.

Success for me also includes personal goals.

I want to create a work life balance where I can take a day off and not worry about my bills being paid. Success is knowing I didn't wait for anyone else-- not a partner, boss, friend etc. to save me-- I created the life I wanted for myself.

Lastly, what legacy do you want to leave for the next generation of professionals in your industry?

I am a girl from the Bronx who didn't grow up with money and some how has a business that pays my bills, helps others, and makes a difference in my community and across the country.

I want everyone to know that it's possible to do so much in life. Your goals do NOT have to make sense to anyone else. And your path is your own.

Network With Rebekah :

• Website: www.healedbyparis.com

• Email: Healedbyparis@gmail.com

• Socials: @HealedByParis (TT, IG, Youtube)

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