Touch of Healing - Valérie Shiatsu Massothérapie
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Valérie Gariépy, Founder of Valérie Shiatsu Massothérapie, located in Montréal, QC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a massage therapist specializing in Shiatsu, a Japanese acupressure technic. My customers are any person, from babies and kids to older folks, with a need for balance in their lives. Shiatsu is a holistic approach that has an effect on physical pains as much as on psychological and emotional pains as well.
Tell us about yourself
I started my studies in massage therapy in 2009 after I came back from 2 years backpacking trip in South America. I came back with the desire to help people, one at a time, with a lot of empathy. I Started by taking all the introduction classes to the different types of massage therapies (Swedish, Trigger (TM), Thai,...), and then I discovered Shiatsu. It was like a revelation to learn about the acupuncture meridians as I suddenly understood that that is what I was feeling when I was giving a massage: the energy that flows through or is blocked in the body (where the pain is). I took a lot of different shiatsu classes and complementary courses to always know and understand better each person that comes to see me. I have been practicing Shiatsu for over 12 years. But also I have been a visual artist and a graphic designer for over 25 years now, and the balance between my different interests helps me balance my life.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The best accomplishment I can ever have as a Shiatsu Therapist is a client commenting on how their life has changed with the help of Shiatsu.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
In this kind of practice, as an independent worker, the flow of clients is not always consistent, and they are periods that are sometimes more difficult than others, but I deal very well with that as it is part of the balance between multiple careers.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be patient.
- Take your time to organize yourself.
- Don't compromise your beliefs.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.valerieshiatsu.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shiatsupourlavie/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/valérie-shiatsu-massothérapie/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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