Hidden Gems: Meet Kate Thomas of Collective Good Integrative Health

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Thomas.

Hi Kate, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today. 
I am a licensed massage therapist who has grown my one-person practice into an expansive health collective supporting independent practitioners. In December of 2022, I took an exciting risk on a big dream and bought a commercial building that had been vacant in foreclosure limbo for a decade. My husband and I spent 6 months completely renovating the entire property ourselves while working full-time. In June of 2023, the doors to Collective Good Integrative Health opened for business in the Shroyer Park/Patterson Park area of Dayton. The collective now supports massage therapists, psychotherapists, a midwife, a physical therapist, and a health and wellness coach; all practitioners have their own independent practices while working out of Collective Good’s shared space. Our building is serene, inspired by nature, and centrally located, and health providers’ services are evidence-based, relationship-driven, and welcoming to folks from all paths of life. While also growing Collective Good, I am enthusiastic about providing positive and professional mentorship to newly licensed massage therapists (LMTs) and have established a strong relationship with the local massage school and my alma mater, often presenting to graduating classes and assisting with their interview skills. I also volunteer massage services for a local hospice organization and love working with that community. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No road is completely smooth, but that doesn’t stop us from driving! Challenges were both systemic and internal. 

Systemically, navigating red tape in a city with understaffed and burnt-out building departments was difficult, but I picked up a few tricks as I went along the way. There was also the issue of the renovation needs being greater than anticipated – once you get to the studs of a long-neglected structure, you are bound to find way more rot, weird wiring and plumbing, and insulation problems than you thought. More renovating means more unexpected costs. I learned that whatever your budget is with a big renovation… double it. Triple it! 

Internally, I faced many moments of overwhelm and anxiety, but never regret. My initial concerns were about getting through the renovation period while working full time managing my own busy practice, and being a caregiver to our very senior, very beloved dog, Bailey, who passed away the last week of renovation. My work-life balance was dramatically unbalanced, and it was hard at times to keep my spirits up – especially when my projected opening date kept getting pushed further and further back. As we neared completion, that’s when the nerves appeared about managing a scaled-up business. It wasn’t just myself I would be thinking of with work… I would be concerned with the entire community I dreamed of being at Collective Good. Wondering if I could actually be a good leader. Carefully questioning every decision I made, hoping it would be for the greater good. 

What really carried me through any struggle was the thought that I was putting one foot in front of the other and showing up each day – and that is, in fact, being successful. 

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Collective Good Integrative Health is a a locally owned, welcoming community of independent health practitioners serving Dayton, Ohio. We have massage therapists who offer anything from neuromuscular techniques to cupping to grief massage, psychotherapists who utilize EMDR and emphasize grief/loss/trauma, a physical therapist who specializes in lifestyle medicine, a wonderful midwife, and two health coaches. 

We are proud to have created a central collaborative of health and wellness professionals while providing a supportive space for business owners to grow. Since opening in June of 2023, we have brought together like-minded but diverse practitioners whose work is client-centered, humanizing, and heartfelt. This momentum carries us forward, and we continue to bring in these folks and grow as a center for independent practitioners thriving among the synergies of interdisciplinary service. 

Something important to note is that when community members step through Collective Good’s doors for a service, they are not only receiving quality and intentional care, but they are supporting that individual practitioner and their own practice. Everyone sets their own rates, creates their own schedules, and manages their own client management system. We strive to empower the providers who choose to work with us and provide a friendly, low-risk environment to build their practice and grow wings. 

As an affirming center, we welcome all bodies, all abilities, shapes, sizes, ages, colors, ethnicities, races, orientations, and genders. Our facilities are also ADA-accessible. 

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
People might not know that the entire renovation was done by just my husband and I and our family and friends. Even the neighbor across the street from our parking lot would take waste to the dump for us when our trailer was full! My brother custom-built our main bathroom door. We had a weekend-long paint party where about 20 friends (and some clients of mine!) helped to paint every single square inch of the interior. It truly was a community effort. 

Contact Info:

• Website: collectivegoodhealth.com
• Instagram: @collectivegoodhealth
• Facebook: /collectivegoodhealth

Image Credits
Megan Mahon