Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Seibel.
Hi Emily, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Thank you so much for the interest in my small business! It is truly an honor to be a part of this project!
When it comes to my success as a massage therapist, I would be nowhere if it weren’t for the unyielding support of my family and friends. They have gone so far past “above and beyond” for me. I started massage school right before COVID hit (literally, 3 weeks before). Thankfully, we had class on Zoom and when we were back in person, we really zoned in on the hands-on portion of our schooling. I annoyed my class with my infinite questions (sorry guys, haha), I hustled to get my clinic hours done, and nerded out the whole program, I couldn’t learn enough!
I started my small business about 6 weeks after graduation. I didn’t want to waste any time getting my name out there and putting my knowledge to work. I am fortunate enough to say that it did not take long for me to get my books filled, and keep them filled! To this day, I am booked about 3 months out, with new fun services starting soon!
Along side of my massage career, I also work on a farm animal sanctuary (shout out to Foreverland Farm). Working along side these animals, some of who have come from the most devastating situations, I was seeing similar energies as my human clients. This inspired me to deep dive into researching animal massage: if it’s possible, the benefits, where to get licensed, etc. I found an accredited school that is affiliated with the appropriate massage certification boards and took my first canine (dog) massage class in July of 2023! A couple years later, I am certified in canine massage and I am almost finished with my field work to be certified in equine (horse) massage! I am so excited to exercise my new skill set with my animal friends at Foreverland Farm, and with my clients’ beloved pets!
My favorite thing about massage therapy is that there is always something new to learn, and my hunger for knowledge is never satiated! I’m already looking into a pediatric/NICU massage course to work with kiddos and babies, and a stretch course to help my clients (and myself) be able to use their bodies to the fullest capacity. I have so many ideas and so many concepts I want to learn. I cannot wait to get back into continuing education courses!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been a number of learning curves! From figuring out small business taxes to discovering my body’s physical limits, there has been so much trial and error. In my first year in business, I didn’t pay myself AT ALL out of fear of not having enough to cover taxes. Thankfully my other job at the time was enough to cover my personal expenses, but holy moly was I sitting on pins and needles until I did my taxes. Thankfully, the accountant I worked with was very patient and kind, and respectfully dumbed down tax-speak to me so I could understand and properly file my taxes, phew!
Being in my late 20s and a new business owner, I was bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to book as many clients as I could at a time. I quickly learned that 10 hour days with back-to-back clients is the fast track to burnout and sheer exhaustion. Figuring out a schedule that works best has been (another) trial and error process. Thankfully, my family, friends, and clients have all been very patient and kind as I continue to navigate the schedule conundrum.
Then there’s the struggle of boundaries with my schedule. I have more clients (and aspiring clients) than I have time for in a month! It breaks my heart to have to tell them no or push their session further out than usual. Then, my “non-regulars” or some of my family want to squeeze in and it’s so hard to tell them I don’t have the availability. Sometimes, I do break my own boundary and get someone on the table, but I try really hard to make that NOT happen.
These lessons have taught me a lot about business, about myself, and a level of customer service I was not aware of. So, very necessary to hae these struggles to be a strong business woman!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
While I don’t have a specialty per se, I like to tell my clients that I am a “solution-focused” massage therapist – bringing a balance of sports massage, deep tissue, and relaxing/Swedish massage into one, focusing on the areas that are bringing my client the most discomfort. It’s fun for me to play detective and work backwards with the muscles. Quite frequently a client will complain about pain in one area, but the issue is actually in a different area. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard, “Wow, I didn’t even know that was sore!” I wouldn’t have to work anymore, ha!
One thing that sets my style and studio apart from others is my timeline. I intentionally book extra time to ensure that my clients get their full time on the table. Some spas offer 50 minute massages where 10 minutes of that is intake and getting changed – not in my studio! If you book a 60 minute session, you get 60 minutes of hands-on work!
Perhaps my favorite thing about my studio and approach to massage is my emphasis of comfort. From the time you walk into the studio to the time you get back in your car, your comfort is my absolute top priority. I take pride in making my clients feel comfortable and safe while in my studio – you can come in your pajamas, you can come straight from that big meeting with the CEO, or wherever the day has taken you. My goal is to make it feel like you’re paying an old friend a visit – come on in, make yourself at home, and let’s take a breath and unwind.
With my animal certification pending, I can’t wait to broaden my clientele to my clients’ pets! And someday soon, I hope their kiddos will be able to be on the table! But, one thing at a time, I always tend to get ahead of myself!
Any big plans?
The future has so much to offer, and I don’t plan on any big changes – just adding new varieties of clientele and methodologies.
My plan is to be the one stop shop for well-being for all members of the family – holding space for high strung professionals and parents, student athletes and NICU babies, all their beloved pets, and everyone in between! Whether I am in my studio or in their home/barn/hospital room, being a place of peace and safety for families is the most important part of my job. I’m taking the future day by day, and what is meant to happen, will happen when it’s supposed to!
Pricing:
- Zen Recharge – 60 minute massage – $100
- Zen Rejuvenate – 90 minute massage – $125
- Zen Reset – 30 minute massage – $65
- Til Zen Do Us Part – wedding chair massage – $125/hr. + $0.50/mi. from studio
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thezenescape/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheZenEscapeCincy/
