10 Years, Hundreds of Women Served, 61 Babies Born

A Dream Come True

It was September 2003, I was a wife and stay-at-home mom of 2 active boys...and I was going back to school.

My husband was working at the time for Ford Motor Company as an assembly-line worker at the Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, Michigan. I was enjoying my full-time job taking care of our 2 young kids and wondered how I was going to stay busy once our youngest was in school all day. The economy was still doing well, but we had started to hear rumors within the automotive industry that caused us to consider the need for a 2nd income. After much thought about what type of training I could get that would still allow me to have a flexible schedule for our kids, but would satisfy my need to feel challenged on a day-to-day basis, and help financially, we agreed that I would attend Irene's Myomassology Institute in Southfield, Michigan to study massage therapy.

I had always enjoyed helping other people and was fascinated by everything about the human body. The curriculum at Irene's was extensive, thorough, and challenging. I enjoyed both the lectures and the hands-on aspects immensely. Although it wasn't always easy to be a full-time student and a full-time mom, I knew that I had found my dream profession. As a busy woman and mom, I knew how stressful life could be, and I had a keen desire to learn how to use massage therapy to support other women working hard to maintain a sense of balance and well-being in their lives. I fell in love with idea of creating a business that would cater to women in all phases of their lives, while also providing me with the flexibility and financial ability to be ever-present for my children and help support my family. This was my dream.

In March 2004, Tranquil Touch Therapeutic Massage For Women, LLC was established and registered. Initially, like most solo-practicing massage therapists, my client base consisted primarily of friends. I attempted to work on an outcall basis, providing massage to women in their homes, but I found that to be too difficult for me and my circumstances. In September 2004, I began subleasing a shared massage space in Livonia, Michigan from another solo therapist and worked on building a clientele that would come to me. In an effort to market my business, I visited doctor's offices, women's gyms, and other local businesses where I could leave my business cards and brochures. I also purchased entry at several local events to provide chair massage to attendees and eventually worked out an agreement with a local women's gym that allowed me to provide chair massage to it's members on a weekly basis, which I did for 3 years. During the times that I was not giving massage, I was diligently studying for my National Exams, began training to become certified in prenatal massage, followed by more training to become a doula (professional labor support). I quickly realized that in addition to my love of massage therapy, I developed a love and a passion for supporting women during birth.

In 2005, Ford Motor Company began offering buyouts to many of its factory employees. This confirmed many of the rumors that my husband and I had been hearing. The economy was in trouble, and we were going to be hit in a major way. We had some choices to make. I had a pretty solid client base by then, and my husband (who had lost his mother in death the previous year) had been growing increasingly dissatisfied at his job. We decided in 2007 to accept the buyout that would allow our family to keep our medical benefits for 2 years, pay for my husband to get his college degree, and provide us with a regular (although considerably smaller) paycheck while he was in school. My job, my business, now became a major part of our family's day-to-day financial foundation. I needed to step up my game.

I became a Certified Massage Doula in 2007. Providing support to women and their partners during labor and birth is something that I had never pictured myself doing until I had gone back to school at Irene's. Now, I cannot imagine ever NOT doing it! Pregnancy and birth are true miracles that I feel blessed to witness. I am becoming increasingly passionate about helping women feel supported, empowered, and heard when it comes to their birth experiences. Unexpectedly, the "birth side" of my business has grown into a beautiful and amazing "second job" for me. In an effort to provide support and education to more women, I received my diploma in Childbirth Education last year and am thrilled to now be offering private birthing classes to couples in my office.

In October 2006, I felt that I had outgrown the shared space and trepidatiously sought to find an office space of my own. I felt that my prayers were answered when I found a room to rent inside Ginger's Mind Body Spirit Center in Farmington, Michigan. For the next 3 years, I had the joy of working in my own space surrounded by like-minded therapists and bodyworkers who also rented rooms in the building. I continued to develop my craft, build my client base, and learn more about massage, pregnancy, and birth. 

In 2009, I found that, once again, I needed to move locations. For several weeks, I searched for a new office. I was adamant that I wanted to stay in the Farmington/Farmington Hills area. I had fallen in love with the city of Farmington and was delighted to find the perfect space right in Downtown Farmington. Late last year, I happily renewed my 3-year lease. I absolutely love being a Downtown Farmington business!

It has been such an amazing and unbelievable 10 year journey! I have enjoyed sharing massage therapy with hundreds of women. I have had the indescribable joy of supporting couples as they met their babies 61 times! I have cried with women in my office who have lost a loved one in death, felt themselves buckling under the pressures and stresses of everyday life, or simply felt overwhelmed. I have laughed with many of my clients as they shared happy thoughts or experiences. Being a massage therapist means that my clients are always happy to see me and I have been on the receiving end of their warmth and trust and gratitude.

My dream has come true!!!

I have also had the pleasure of sharing my dream by having several other massage therapists work with me as I have grown my business; and it has been a special joy to have Kristine Halalay as a team member since 2011.

Now, I would like to say "thank you", along with Kristine, at our 10 Year Anniversary Open House Celebration. Tranquil Touch Therapeutic Massage For Women has continued to grow and can only continue to grow with the support of our loyal clients. 

Please join us Sunday, March 30, 2014 from 11AM-2:30PM for 

• Refreshments
• Door Prizes (while supplies last)
• Enter a Raffle to win 

• a FREE 1-Hr Massage Session or
• a Gift Basket of Wellness Items

33425 Grand River Ave Suite 102
Farmington, MI 48335

Schedule Your Massage Appointment