Sacramento Valley
Hello,
My professional background begins as a child, age 6, selling hand-drawn flip book animations to my neighbors for 25-50 cents a pop. Unfortunately my mom was embarrassed and quickly shut down that operation. I was an "only child" and she was a single mom, so what else would one do when both bored and aware of money troubles? Fast forward to age 7- I learn I have a talent for calming her stress through my hands, and massage was the answer. My first paid gig was at 8, when her best friend paid me $20 to rub her shoulders for 30 min. It was life-changing. My mom re-married when I was 11 and we were ok. I continued to draw, focusing on fashion designs and faces. My first real job in high school was for a local artist who did "faux finishing" for interior spaces, mostly homes looking to add character, softness and charm. I learned how to mimic her style and follow directions (from an artist, no less!). Somewhere in here I got to learn how to play golf and even played on the women's team! I was also yearbook photographer. Senior year, I took the Fashion Merchandising ROP class, which was more of a paid or unpaid internship in retail. I had received experience in Bridal fashion and Pacific Sunwear (remember them?) and for my senior project I got to design and make a dress from scratch, with the help of a pattern maker, seamstress and fashion design consultant. My intent was to be a designer! But first, get me the heck out of the boonies and into kind of a big city- SF, not too big or scary.
When I left for SF State University, a Business major, I had no idea how to succeed in college. I just planned to go there for awhile and then transfer to an art school for fashion design. I took all the classes I was curious about, including Theater Arts, Holistic Health courses in upper division, and failed out. I had some silly summer jobs, and eventually after officially not being able to re-enroll, I got a job at a Martial Arts school selling memberships, which didn't last long since I both had no experience in martial arts, and they wouldn't comp me any classes to learn more. I never sold to anyone, if they didn't want to join I said, "I understand it's not for everyone." I then was hired by a family owned jewelry store at 888 Brannan St in SF (if you know, you know). I did really well but my boss was the most hot-headed moody person I had ever worked for, and eventually quit. He has since tried to hire me back a dozen times. I loved designing with clients, and communicating with our bench jewelers. Working with diamonds and fine jewelry could be very fun and it's where I really learned how to sell most anything; but what I enjoy is helping others decide what they want and feel confident about it, and themselves in the process.
While in my jewelry sales job, I started my formal education in Massage Therapy. I was 19 at this point. I had never felt so at home and in my element. It came naturally of course, because I had already been practicing for over a decade! And this is where all my creative energy has gone to. Mid-certification, I moved back to the Sacramento area, moved back in with parents, re-enrolled at Sierra College and continued to work towards a degree. I continued to explore my interests, ended up with two Science degrees! And in the process, found out I have ADHD. Well finally I had a reason for all my short-comings, the hyper-focuses, and difficulty in traditional school settings, and why I thought differently than most everyone else. I was eventually accepted to Sac State for Dietetics and CSUEB for Kinesiology. But since I was also modeling (first with Cast Images, then Ford, then Stars) and most of my jobs were in the SF area, In the end, I just needed to get back to the Bay Area.
And of course I hated Kinesiology! It was so boring, so of course I changed majors. I found Recreation Therapy only because it was in the same department and I never would have known about it otherwise. Recreation Therapy in so many ways, saved me. It did for me, what it intends to do for special populations. It is a helping hand, when you can't get up. I had re-started my massage practice after about a year with a Bay Club spa setting. I ended up getting a referral to offer massage services for seniors at a very swanky high end Independent Senior Living Center in Union City and eventually also completed my internship there. But it wasn't for me. I did not love RT work, but I loved the advocacy. I believe all populations deserve the option to receive Recreation Therapy in our healthcare system. I did not end up certified in RT, and continued building my massage practice in Burlingame, Ca.
I started my private practice in Burlingame, where I lived at the time. I loved the tech start up energy, the start-up biz vibes, the hustle culture. And many of my clients worked-lived-breathed-ate-slept at work. My colleagues, whom I shared space with at our beautiful location Valentino's, were these incredible women, not quite twice my age, who showed me incredible work etiquette and integrity. I felt myself "grow up" there, both personally and professionally. I also started my herbal focused skincare line, I called BodiBe, which has transformed three times since then. A year into my business there, I had to move again. I left my Burlingame apartment for what would be the most stressful and life-altering 6 years of travel and lodging. I needed to help my mom and step-dad, his health had dwindled and she needed me to support her, and my boyfriend, who also lived out in the Sac area, seemed serious enough to pursue. My parents helped me buy my townhome, which ended up being a blessing, though at first it created so much debt and remorse. I spent several years living in odd rooms, air mattresses, several roomies (at first with 10 flight attendants in a crash pad), and cycling through staying with my mom and boyfriend, while working a few days a week in Burlingame. Soon that turned into every other week, and eventually I made it back to a real bedroom in Half Moon Bay and was only returning for a weekend once a month. That was until the 2020 pandemic.
When we shut down, I had to leave and I knew I did not have it in me to return to start again, to that cycle of house poor, cash poor, and health poor in order to rebuild or travel like I had been doing. I did not know what would become of me, I had so much of my identity and worth tied up in massage, the sacrifices I made to build that business. But what I ended up learning was that I was sick. I was unwell, depressed, a workaholic, without much community, and needed to re-set my nervous system. I had no idea I had gained nearly 100 lbs in 6 years from being in a viscous cycle of fight-flight, rest-digest. I re-started my massage practice in Folsom, set myself apart by being a mask-wearing, vaccine supporting, clean standard focused Massage Therapist. Though I did go back to Burlingame for awhile, this time it was with a different mindset. I would not continue to put others first in such a way.
I decided to add a new skillset to my offerings, and began a year and a half long process to gain Life Coaching certification. Meanwhile, I built my massage practice, and found new skills to add there too. I am very lucky to have the skills I've built and know it's an honor. I love helping my clients with boundary setting, empowerment, asking for anything, and self-love. When I work on clients in my massage practice, I get to help them reframe their nervous system. Now, my business is in Fair Oaks, Ca. I live only 5 min away and I don't have two homes to pay for anymore! Lucky lucky! I am very interested in building up my coaching practice, and all other design opportunities.
Where I feel the most out of balance is in the business management side. I am a big idea, creative generating person. I am not a spreadsheet, budget, sales, tax, marketing type person- I just don't have those skills. I love creating relaxing environments, am very good with texture, flavor, scent, and spacial things. I don't drink much anymore, but I was very into wine for many years. I used to love to rollerblade, dance, write songs, sing karaoke, learn new languages, and draw/design. I am hoping to get back to many of my old hobbies, including golf! Please reach out if you want to collaborate, just hang out and have a working date, or get into something creative or silly.
Thank you for taking time to read through a very brief history of just some of my work and life history! I am excited to join this Association and look forward to meeting you.
NextGen Student